At a Glance
- Tasks: Facilitate family-led conferences to support safety and connection for children and families.
- Company: Join Uniting, a passionate organisation dedicated to inspiring communities and confronting injustice.
- Benefits: Enjoy salary packaging, flexible hours, and employee discounts on services.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive team with opportunities for professional growth and development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in family services reform while working collaboratively with diverse communities.
- Qualifications: Experience in child and family services, strong engagement skills, and relevant qualifications required.
The predicted salary is between 46300 - 52000 £ per year.
Facilitate family-led conferences supporting safety, stability & connection. Join a new statewide reform initiative with strong practice support & peers. SCHADS Level 6 + salary packaging + flexible part-time opportunity (3 days a week). Max Term role until 30 June 2027.
Your new role
Ready to take your child and family practice experience into something broader? Join Uniting as a Family Group Conferencing (FGC) Convenor and play a key role in Victoria’s new family services reform approach. This is an opportunity for experienced Child and Family Services practitioners to step into a highly relational, family-led role focused on bringing families, support networks and professionals together to create sustainable plans for children and young people.
You’ll facilitate strengths-based Family Group Conferences that place decision-making with families, while working closely with practitioners, service partners and local alliances across the broader Restoring Families initiative.
Your impact will include:
- Facilitating family-led conferences focused on safety, stability and wellbeing for children and young people
- Preparing families, carers and professionals for meaningful participation
- Coordinating and leading complex conversations with multiple stakeholders
- Supporting families to develop sustainable plans grounded in culture, relationships and strengths
- Working collaboratively with practitioners and local service networks across the Restoring Families response
- Contributing to a new reform initiative focused on strengthening family authority and connectedness
About the initiative
Uniting is proud to be supporting the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH) to deliver new Family Group Conferencing roles across multiple Victorian regions including metropolitan Melbourne, Central Highlands, Gippsland and the Wimmera as part of Victoria’s Family Services Reform agenda. These roles sit within the new Restoring Families service stream (formerly Family Preservation and Reunification Response), supporting family-led decision making and stronger community-based support for children, young people and families experiencing complex challenges.
You’ll join a growing cohort of Convenors working within local alliance areas, with opportunities to connect, learn and build practice alongside peers across Victoria as the reform continues to expand.
Benefits of working at Uniting
You’ll be supported through dedicated practice leadership, coaching and peer connection as part of a growing statewide reform initiative. You will also have access to:
- Up to $15,900 in salary packaging benefits that can be used for living expenses such as groceries, bills, clothing and streaming services.
- Save on dining out and drinks with a meal entertainment benefit of $2,650 annually.
- Opt in or out of public holidays and be respected for your unique background.
- Employee discounts at Uniting Early Education services and Uniting op shops.
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for wellbeing and counselling support.
Your skills and experience
You are an experienced child and family practitioner who enjoys working with complexity, you’re skilled at engaging and bringing people together and ready to broaden your impact through reform-focused work with strong practice support. You’ll bring with you:
- Relevant qualifications in social work, community services or a related discipline
- A current driver’s licence valid in Victoria
- Demonstrated experience in child and family services, child protection or related fields
- Ability to demonstrate strong skills in engagement, facilitation, mediation and negotiation
- Experience delivering culturally safe and trauma-informed practice, including with Aboriginal children and families
- Demonstrated understanding of the principles that underpin Family Group Conferencing
- Demonstrated analytical skills with a proven ability to identify emerging issues and risks
How to apply
Click APPLY to submit your interest, and we’ll get in touch shortly. If this role sounds like a good fit for you, apply soon. We'll be reviewing applications as they come in and may close the advert early. If you have any questions about the opportunity, please contact: Gillian Harris-Dawson on 0468 672 234 for a chat.
About Uniting
At Uniting we are passionate about working together to inspire people, enliven communities and confront injustice. We have a 5,000 strong workforce of employees and volunteers who deliver a diverse range of services across Victoria and Tasmania. Uniting is a child safe organisation and is committed in everyday practice to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all children, at all times.
Family Group Conference Convenor - Restoring Families in Melbourne employer: Uniting Careers
Uniting is an exceptional employer that prioritises the wellbeing and professional growth of its employees, offering a supportive work culture enriched by dedicated practice leadership and peer connections. With flexible part-time opportunities, generous salary packaging benefits, and a commitment to community impact through innovative family services reform, Uniting fosters an environment where practitioners can thrive while making a meaningful difference in the lives of children and families across Victoria.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Family Group Conference Convenor - Restoring Families in Melbourne
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the organisation! Before your interview, do a bit of research on Uniting and their Restoring Families initiative. Understanding their values and mission will help you connect your experience to what they’re looking for.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Role-play common interview questions with a friend or family member. This will help you articulate your thoughts clearly and confidently when discussing your experience in child and family services.
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion! During the interview, share specific examples of how you've facilitated family-led conferences or worked collaboratively with stakeholders. Highlighting your hands-on experience will make you stand out.
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up! After your interview, send a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity. It shows professionalism and keeps you fresh in their minds as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace Family Group Conference Convenor - Restoring Families in Melbourne
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your passion for child and family services shine through. We want to see why you care about making a difference in the lives of families and children.
Tailor Your Experience:Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in child and family services. We’re looking for specific examples that demonstrate your skills in engagement, facilitation, and working with complex situations.
Be Authentic:Don’t be afraid to show your personality! We value authenticity, so share your unique perspective and experiences that have shaped your approach to family-led practices.
Apply Through Our Website:Remember to apply through our website for the best chance of being noticed. We review applications as they come in, so don’t wait too long to submit yours!
How to prepare for a job interview at Uniting Careers
✨Know Your Role Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the Family Group Conference Convenor role. Familiarise yourself with the principles of Family Group Conferencing and how they apply to child and family services. This will help you articulate your experience and how it aligns with the job.
✨Showcase Your Facilitation Skills
Since this role involves coordinating complex conversations, be prepared to discuss your facilitation and mediation experiences. Think of specific examples where you've successfully brought together diverse stakeholders to achieve a common goal, and be ready to share these during the interview.
✨Emphasise Cultural Competence
Highlight your experience in delivering culturally safe and trauma-informed practices, especially with Aboriginal children and families. Be ready to discuss how you approach cultural sensitivity in your work and why it's important in the context of family-led decision-making.
✨Prepare Questions for Them
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions about the Restoring Families initiative and how the team collaborates across regions. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if the organisation is the right fit for you.
