OzChild Careers

Family Group Conference Convenor

OzChild – Shepparton

Be part of creating safer, stronger futures for children and families

At OzChild, we believe every child deserves to grow up safe, connected and supported by the people who matter most to them. This is an opportunity to be part of meaningful work that empowers families to come together, find solutions and create lasting change for children and young people.

An exciting opportunity has become available within the Goulburn Region for a passionate and experienced Family Group Conference Convenor to join our team and help families navigate some of life’s most challenging moments with dignity, hope and support.

Working within the Restoring Families Program, this role is part of an evidence-based early intervention program delivered in partnership with the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH).

As the Family Group Conference Convenor, you will play a vital role in bringing families, kin and support networks together to make decisions that place children at the centre. Through compassionate engagement and skilled facilitation, you will help create safe spaces where families feel heard, respected and empowered to build sustainable plans for the future.

You will work collaboratively with children, families, Child Protection, Restoring Families practitioners and community stakeholders to facilitate Family Group Conferences that support clear, practical and sustainable outcomes.

About the Role

The Family Group Conference Convenor is responsible for:

• Planning, coordinating and facilitating Family Group Conferences for children, young people and families experiencing multiple and complex needs
• Supporting family-led decision making processes that strengthen safety and wellbeing outcomes
• Building respectful and collaborative relationships with families, Child Protection, community services and key stakeholders
• Facilitating inclusive discussions that encourage participation, accountability and shared planning
• Ensuring culturally safe, child-focused and strengths-based practice throughout all stages of the conferencing process
• Preparing accurate documentation, plans and records in line with program and legislative requirements

About You

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• Demonstrated experience engaging with children, young people and families with complex needs
• Experience facilitating meetings, group processes or conferences involving multiple stakeholders
• Strong skills in engagement, mediation, conflict resolution and facilitation
• Sound knowledge of child protection, family services and relevant legislation
• A commitment to culturally safe and inclusive practice, particularly for Aboriginal children, families and communities
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities
• Confidence using information management systems and digital communication platforms
• Be able to work flexibly between the hours of 8am-8pm and travel throughout the Goulburn region

Essential Requirements

• Degree qualification in Social Work, Psychology, Community Services or a related discipline recognised in Australia

Desirable

• Experience or training in Family Group Conferencing, Family Led Decision Making or Restorative Practice

What OzChild Offers

• Part-time opportunity – 4 days per week
• 12-month maximum term contract
• SCHADS Level 6 salary – $110,102.72 pro rata 4 days (0.8)
• Salary packaging benefits up to $15,900 plus $2,650 meals and entertainment
• Ex gratia leave over Easter and Christmas
• A supportive and values-driven team environment
• The opportunity to create meaningful change in the lives of children, young people and families every day

If you are passionate about strengthening families, amplifying children’s voices and supporting positive outcomes for vulnerable communities, we would love to hear from you.

Interviews will be conducted as applications are received, so we encourage you to apply without delay.

How to Apply

Apply today by clicking the APPLY NOW button and submitting:

• Your current CV
• A cover letter addressing the key selection criteria and outlining why you are the best person for this role

For a confidential discussion about the position, please contact:

Elizabeth Abdilla – Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist
0499 655 939
eabdilla@ozchild.org.au

Or Kathy Wyatt -Program Manager 0499 693377.

To be successful, you will be required to meet OzChild’s safety screening requirements, including relevant police checks and holding a current Victorian Working With Children Check.

OzChild is committed to providing a recruitment process which embeds the values of equity, diversity, and inclusivity, and commit to making reasonable adjustments where necessary to ensure all individuals have equal opportunity to fully participate in the process. We are an equal opportunity employer and encourage individuals of diverse gender identity, sexual orientation, cultural and religious backgrounds to apply.

OzChild is committed to the employment of Aboriginal people and providing a work environment in which Aboriginal peoples' cultures, beliefs and values are acknowledged and respected, and in which the individual career goals and personal aims of Aboriginal staff are identified, promoted and achieved.

OzChild is a child-safe organisation committed to protecting children and young people from all forms of abuse, bullying, exploitation and neglect, and to creating environments in all our programs and services where children are safe and feel safe.