• Full-time/ Fixed Term Position with Potential for Extension
• Fulfill your passion to help others
• A rewarding role helping vulnerable families

The Family Worker works in the Hunter Family Outreach Project Team.

The aim of the Hunter Family Outreach Program is to provide in-home and community interventions depending on the family needs, in a child-centred, family-focused way. The Family Worker will work to ensure best social, emotional, educational, and health outcomes for parents/carers and their children. This includes:

• Actively engaging children, youth, and families to the program via home visits, telephone contact, care team meetings.
• Conducting child, youth, and family need and risk assessments on a regular basis.
• Supporting families in their understanding of child development and enabling them to develop positive parenting skills.

This HEW 5 fixed term position is full time until March 2026 with potential for extension based on funding and will be located at the Callaghan Campus (Awabakal and Worimi land).

About our University

The University of Newcastle stands as a global leader distinguished by a commitment to equity and excellence. Our vision is to be a world-leading University for our regions and creating a better future for our regions and the globe. Underpinned by this vision are our values of excellence, equity, engagement, and sustainability.

We provide opportunities for all people regardless of their background and experience, and this philosophy is reflected across all that we do.

The University of Newcastle is an equal opportunity employer committed to equity, diversity, and social inclusion. Women and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are particularly encouraged to apply.

About the Unit

The Family Action Centre focuses on strengthening family and community wellbeing. The Centre has a 30-year track record of innovative, dynamic, and enduring work addressing the factors that affect the health, wellbeing, social, and educational paths of families, particularly for those challenged by increasingly complex vulnerabilities.

The Family Action Centre facilitates several innovative family and community outreach programs, which are funded through government and philanthropic grants. These programs combine direct service to the community with student placement and volunteer experiences, and investigate models of practice that promote equity, sustainability, social justice, and community leadership.

What we offer

In addition to working for a university that is breaking boundaries, discovering new ways of thinking and cementing a place as a global leader, we offer a range of benefits to our employees to ensure you balance your commitments, stay healthy, and work effectively.

These include:

• The remuneration for this position is pro-rated from $80,972 - $93,929 p.a. + superannuation and is commensurate with skills and experience.
• Flexible working arrangements (in line with the University's Flexible Work Policy ).
• 17% super and salary packaging.
• Additional University Holiday days, generous personal leave and parental leave, annual leave loading, and additional purchased leave scheme.
• Discounts in private health insurance, gym memberships, software, travel, and more.
• Wellbeing programs.

Your next steps

Please visit here for a guide on how to apply for a role.

If viewing this on a job board other than the University's please click 'Apply' to reach the University's website, where a copy of the Position Description can be accessed. Please download a copy before commencing your application.

Your application must include:

• Your resume.
• A cover letter outlining your motivation to apply for this opportunity.
• A statement addressing the Essential Criteria listed below.

1. A relevant tertiary qualification in Social Work, Psychology, Welfare, Youth Work, or a related field.
2. Demonstrated ability to use a range of active engagement strategies with vulnerable and at-risk children, youth, and their families, and be flexible and creative in meeting their needs.
3. An understanding of the social context of child abuse and neglect and experience in using current theoretical approaches to support positive outcomes.
4. Sound understanding of the Child Protection legislation, and experience in collaboration with a range of professionals in a care team/multidiscipline approach.
5. Experience in conducting risk and needs assessments.
6. Excellent written and verbal communication, time management, and organisational skills.
7. Ability to advocate, negotiate, and problem-solve.
8. Understanding of the community's cultural diversity and ability to practice with cultural competence and safety.
9. Ability to partake in reflective practice and to be self-directed.

Desirable

• Skills in the delivery of child and family services, substance abuse, child protection, early years, family violence, therapeutic interventions, and/or mental health will be an advantage.

To ensure that your application receives full consideration, it's important to structure and address the selection criteria outlined in the application process. This helps us better understand your experience and suitability for the role. We appreciate your attention to this matter and look forward to reviewing your application.

Please upload your Cover Letter and response to the requested Criteria as one PDF document.

Your Cover Letter and Response to the Essential Criteria should not exceed 4 pages (approximately 2,000 words).

For the full list of the selection criteria and role responsibilities, please download the Position Description (available in the Related Documents section below).

Due to the nature of this role, the University may require the preferred candidate to undertake further pre-employment checks.

For specific position enquiries, please contact Michele Knight, Team Leader, Family Action Centre on or via email.

Having Difficulties? Please reach out to us:.

Closing date: Thursday 27 th March 2025 at 11.59pm AEDT

We are excited to be Looking Ahead with you!