54 reasons’ Early Years teams go out into the community across Latrobe Valley 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 maximum term position (30.4 hours per week over 4 days, to end of April 2024 with potential for extension) you’ll be working in our early years team across the Play2Learn program with children and their families, as well as working closely with key stakeholders to strengthen collaborative practice and create sustainable outcomes. This position also supports the Child Information Sharing Scheme (CISS) project, co-facilitating workshops to partners and stakeholders across Gippsland, Melbourne and Northern Victoria. Based in our Moe office in Latrobe, you will be part of our Victorian Programs team and report to our Team Leader.

You will make an impact by:

• Assisting with CISS project support through planning and implementation, in line with contract requirements, project objectives and organisational policy
• Co-facilitating CISS workshops alongside a Senior Practitioner to networks, community organisations and practitioners within sector
• Maintaining community engagement and stakeholder management through building relationships and networks with the local community, including the Aboriginal and CALD community, to ensure community engagement and participation
• As part of Play2Learn, engaging children to build their skills in all developmental areas to get them ready to transition into education
• Planning and facilitating two weekly Play2Learn sessions that develop around your observation of the interests of participating children
• Providing information and referrals to families to access other relevant programs or family support services
• 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.

This role requires:

• Knowledge of child and family issues and a proven understanding of child development stages and influences
• Experience in group processes and facilitation, especially with families experiencing vulnerability
• Experience in project support and co-ordination
• Experience working with families from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) Indigenous and/or low socio-economic backgrounds, young parents, and socially or geographically isolated families
• Minimum in Diploma of Children’s Services, Early Childhood or Community Services is strongly preferred
• Strong time management, organisational, and record keeping skills
• Current valid driver’s licence

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 around 700 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.

Other benefits include:

• Award rate salary (SCHADS Level 4.1, currently $39.26 per hour and soon to increase) plus super and full salary packaging benefits – use this link to see how much this benefit could mean to you!
• 3 days of gifted festive leave (pro rata) between Christmas and New year, in addition to regular leave benefits
• EAP and wellbeing support, including professional supervision
• Opportunity to work on additional projects alongside business as usual
• Individual learning plans to assist in your career development
• Internal employment and development opportunities

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 Thursday 29^th June 2023. For any queries, please contact Lauren Beecroft, Team Leader, on [email protected] or 0351 537501.

Position Description – Child Development Specialist Latrobe

For more information about the team and the two programs that the role works in, see our Program Profile.

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.