Social Worker – Early Years Services

Posted by Northern Schools Early Years Cluster Inc. on 15 May 2024

Organisation Northern Schools Early Years Cluster Inc.
Closing date 30.06.2024
Primary role Administrator
Position type Part-time
Location Glenroy
State VIC
About the Centre/Service About Northern Schools Early Years The Northern Schools Early Years (NSEY) is an Years Management group that supports 16 Early Childhood services, 14 of which are co-located on school sites. We are proud to have been awarded in two categories in the 2023 Department of Education’s Victorian Early Years Awards. The Ministers award for our Continuity of Early Learning: NSEY operates as a Kindergarten to Year 6 (K-6) model and supports collaboration between early childhood services and primary schools at every level and provides continuity of learning for children and families as they transition from kindergarten to school. The second award, Improving Access and Participation in Early Learning, recognized NSEY's commitment to improving access and participation for disadvantaged families and children by fast-tracking 15 hours of funded 3-year-old kindergarten well and truly before the reform of 2029. We now offer 15 hours of funded kindergarten for 3 and 4 year old's across all of our services. Our purpose is to “Love a Life of Learning and Living,” and we aim to set the highest standard of early years education in partnership with local schools and the community. We are committed to maximising outcomes for children in the early years, encouraging opportunities for families to be involved in their child’s early education and promoting professional career support, development and well-being for our educators.
Work Days of the Role 3-4 Days a Week
Hours of Work of the Role 30 hours a week
Description The Opportunity We seek an experienced Social Worker to work with a small group of our kindergarten teams to provide practical support to children and families  through referral pathways, conversations, home visits, linkages to other professionals such as case workers, allied health workers, Maternal Child Health, schools and support parent support and case meetings. Two Part Time positions are available, 7 days per fortnight and a 9 day per fortnight position (0.7 & 0.9 FT equivalent). Using a strength based approach and the principals of relational practice and Best Interest Practice framework,  there will be a clear focus on increasing meaningful engagement of children and their families supporting access and participation into  the kindergarten program and strengthen outcomes for children experiencing disadvantage.  The Social Worker will  provide holistically brief and group-based support to families and children with emerging vulnerability, based on their needs and in a culturally safe manner. The Social Worker will also work with educators to build on existing skills and knowledge in working with families and children experiencing vulnerability, through coaching and mentoring in order to enhance their confidence in supporting children's wellbeing and increasing participation in kindergarten.
  • Generous and competitive conditions awarded
  • Professional Development opportunities and linkages with schools, community hubs, allied health services
  • A positive, diverse and committed team
  • Strong partnerships with primary schools
  • Collaborative and engaging community
Key Selection Criteria To be successful in this position, you will be required to demonstrate ability in the following areas:
  1. Suitable qualifications in social work  or equivalent.
  2. Knowledge of the early childhood education and  the National Quality Agenda desirable.
  3. The Social Worker must have significant experience working with and empowering families and children experiencing vulnerability, disadvantage and be well-informed about early childhood development and a strong commitment to equity and the child safe standards.
  4. Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to prepare accurate and timely reports.
  5. Demonstrated ability to create a strength-based and collaborative culture with high level interpersonal communication and leadership skills.
  6. A critical thinker and excellent problem-solving skills that are timely and appropriately inclusive and the ability to negotiate and resolve conflict.
  7. Ability to develop positive strong internal and external networks and relationships/partnerships.
  8. Experience and skills in trauma informed practice and family violence, and/or mental health within children, youth and family service delivery or similar.
  9. A genuine understanding and expertise in:
  • relational practice
  • strength-based practice
  • family-centred practice (partnerships with families)
  • the Best Interests Practice Framework
  • Attachment Theory
About you: We are looking for someone who is passionate about children’s and community wellbeing,  with experience and skills in social work,  trauma-informed practice and family violence, and/or mental health within children, youth and family service delivery or similar. You must be able to work independently, whilst contributing strongly as a member of a multi-disciplinary team. Knowledge of the education and care service system and the issues and barriers that families may face in accessing and participating in programs and services for their child. We are recognised by the sector and community for providing high quality early childhood education in partnerships with schools and the community that fosters a love of learning and living. The successful candidate will be required to support our purpose through their contribution to strengthening outcomes for children and our community. A commitment to community engagement, continuous quality improvement and an excellent understanding of the practice principles of the Best Interest Practice framework  are hallmarks of this position. If you are motivated, enthusiastic and wish to take on a rewarding role that will offer a competitive salary package and professional development opportunities, want to work in partnership with schools, community and with a supportive Early Years Management team, please apply. The Northern Schools Early Years is a child-safe organisation and an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds, including Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander peoples. To apply for this position, click on the “Apply Now” button on Seek or alternatively email your resume and a cover letter addressing the key selection criteria to Gaganpreet Sandhu, People and Culture Manager at [email protected]. For further information or to obtain a copy of the position description, please call (03) 9306 1662.
Qualifications Bachelor in Social Work
Requirements WWCC
Industrial Agreement/Award Other

Contact Name
Gaganpreet Sandhu
Email
Application Procedure
Email Resume

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