54 Reasons Play2Learn Early Years teams go out into the community across Northern Victoria to support vulnerable families and children to reach their full potential. We need you to help us give these children an experience of quality early childhood education and play, to develop their appetite for learning and help enable a smooth transition into school.

54 reasons is Australia’s leading child rights organisation – no ordinary not-for-profit.

Proudly part of the Save the Children Australia Group and global movement, we’re here to make sure that everyone understands their rights. So that children and young people have their rights met and thrive, in all their diversity.

We champion the children, young people and families we work with. We are inspired by the curiosity and creativity of children and motivated by the love of those who care for them.

With the child’s voice at the centre, we provide quality services to children and their caregivers, advocating with them so that children develop, learn, and are connected, safe and confident. Our people are proudly local, reflective of the communities we serve – in every state and territory, and across regions, remote areas and capital cities.

Where you come in:

In this part time permanent position (30.4 hours per week over 4 days, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday), you’ll be working in our Mobile Play2Learn program with children, their families, and service providers to engage children to build their skills in all developmental areas to get them ready to transition into education, as well as working closely with key stakeholders to strengthen collaborative practice and create sustainable outcomes. Based across the Greater Shepparton region, working in our mobile program with flexible working from home options, you’ll be part of our Australian Services team and report to our Team Leader, Children and Families.

You will make an impact by:

• Planning weekly children’s developmental programs to facilitate intensive supported playgroup sessions
• Promoting positive parent/child relationships through role modelling, education and practical support
• Supporting children to reach their full potential and build sustainable support networks and connection to community
• Building and maintaining strong networks, service delivery partnerships, and effective referral pathways
• Empowering parents and caregivers to support their child’s development and learning
• Collecting and recording data and information for the purpose of accountability, evaluation, and reporting

Does this sound like you?

Your motivation to see children have positive education experiences and reach their full potential helps you to work holistically to deliver evidence-based interventions. At all times, you work from a strengths-based, trauma-informed, client centred and solution focused approach. Your infectious enthusiasm for your job will see you actively seeking out families with young children in need of support. You consider yourself a team player; you love partnerships, collaboration and have an ‘all-hands-on-deck’ attitude.

This role requires:

• Diploma/Degree in Children’s Services or equivalent qualification or experience.
• Knowledge of child and family issues and a proven understanding of child development stages and influences
• Ability to work collaboratively with stakeholders to achieve positive client outcomes.
• Strong computer skills and a knowledge of data collection and reporting.
• Sound time management, organisational, and record keeping skills.
• Knowledge of issues that impact the experiences of children, including trauma, neglect and abuse.

Working at 54 reasons is more than just a job.

We are a learning organisation that invests in the development and wellbeing of our people. Our workforce is approximately 600 people strong, and proudly diverse, whether in race, ethnicity, gender, age, disability, sexuality, cultures and beliefs.

We are creative, connected and accountable, bringing energy, guts and ideas to all we do to champion children in Australia and partner with families, communities and partners to bring about change.

Our people work from both home and office, with important moments held in-person to foster belonging and support professional development. Our leave provisions include personal, ceremonial and family violence leave as well as the ability to purchase additional leave. Remuneration is benchmarked and we offer full non-profit salary packaging benefits.

Other benefits include:

• Award rate salary (SCHADS Level 4.1 – $41.52 per hour) plus full salary packaging benefits – use this link to see how much this benefit could mean to you!
• Internal employment and development opportunities
• Flexible working, including the ability to work from home (WFH)
• Child friendly work environment

For more information regarding the employee benefits of the Save the Children Australia group, please follow this link.

Sound interesting?

We’d love to hear from you. Submit your cover letter and resume by clicking on one of the buttons in the ‘Apply’ section.

Applications close: 4pm AEST, Friday the 18^th of August 2023.

Position Description – Child Development Specialist

For more information on the team and the program that the role works in, see our Program Profile.

For any queries, please contact Evelyn Grass, Team Leader, on [email protected] or 0439 097 496.

We have tested our application process with diverse groups in mind, with the intent to ensure it’s straightforward and accessible for all to apply. Diversity and inclusion are fundamental to our culture and improve our ability to reach our most vulnerable client groups. But we also know there is no one-size fits-all when it comes to recruitment – so if we didn’t quite hit the mark for you, please let us know! We’re dedicated to ensuring 54 reasons is a workplace suitable for all people and can modify our processes to suit you – no matter your race, ethnicity, gender, age, disability, sexuality, neurodiversity, culture and beliefs.

54 reasons is a child-safe organisation. All employees are required to undergo a National Police Check, a Working with Children Check where necessary, and sign our Child Safeguarding Policy and Code of Conduct. We also support the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. You can read about the Scheme and our commitment to Safeguarding here.