Building connection, safety and wellbeing. Together.
Join a values-driven organisation recognised as an Employer of Choice that supports a collaborative work culture.
The Opportunity
The Restoring Families Practitioner is a Full-Time, Permanent role based out of the Family Life Sandringham and Frankston offices and provides an enhanced response to families with significant needs and who have children under the age of 18 years old. Support is focused on strengthening the capacity of families to provide a safe, nurturing, and stable environment for their children. Support is also provided to vulnerable families and their children who are often involved with or at risk of entering the statutory Child Protection system.
Restoring Families is a statewide, evidence informed approach, working with eligible families referred by the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing, Child Protection. Restoring Families provides relational, evidence informed and targeted support to children and families to prevent children entering Out of Home Care, or to support families where children are returning to reside in parental care. Restoring Families offers an initial phase of rapid, intensive and flexible approach to support, followed by sustained support and transitions to other services where necessary. Restoring Families utilises a collaborative and coordinated partnership between Restoring Families Practitioners and Child Protection. Restoring Families seeks to reduce the number of children entering care and remaining in care and acknowledges the over-representation of Aboriginal children placed out of parental care.
Key Responsibility Areas
Our Ideal Candidate
Growth Mindset – You pride yourself for your commitment to resilience and continuous improvement. You see growth opportunities as opposed to failures, and you are always on the lookout for an improved workflow or process. You think creatively, value input and feedback from peers, and adapt to changing or unforeseen circumstances.
Curiosity – You naturally seek out learning opportunities and further information without being prompted to by your manager. You clarify the ‘Why’ and like to investigate and explore further information.
Proactivity – You are a positive influence on your colleagues, you opt-in to support organisational projects, and always lend a hand to support others.
Our ideal candidate will hold a relevant Bachelor level qualification (Social Work, Psychology, Social Sciences or equivalent) and an ability to manage a high-risk caseload using trauma informed approached integrated within the Restoring Families model. An excellent knowledge of infant and child development and mental health along with a sound understanding of the service system, including DFFH Child Protection is also required.
Who We Are
At Family Life, we believe every child deserves to thrive in a safe and healthy family environment. Family Life is a specialist family services provider that has worked with children, families and communities for more than 50 years. Our vision is to work with clients and partners to create capable communities, strong families and thriving children.
We are known for our innovation and whole-of-community collective impact approach. Our teams are committed to transforming the lives of our clients and communities to build resilience and healthy relationships. We are proudly purpose-driven, independent and not for profit. We support our community through our specialist family services, community strengthening programs, a network of op shops, a vibrant engaged volunteer community and passionate skilled staff.
We support our community through our specialist family services, community strengthening programs, a network of op shops, a vibrant engaged volunteer community and passionate skilled staff.
Working at Family Life is more than just a job. It’s the feeling of knowing that your work is contributing to making the community in which you live a better place and working with others who feel the same way.
Additionally, you will have access to:
A full position description please click here.
Please submit your confidential application including a CV and cover letter addressing the key selection criteria via our Application Portal.
We will be reviewing applications as they are received, therefore this role may close sooner if we find the right candidate. Please apply now to ensure you do not miss out!
For further information regarding the position please contact
Sara Swersky, Team Leader, Family Services on (03) 8599 5433.
Applications close: Friday 5 June 2026
Belong, Learn and Grow With Us as We Support Families and Build Stronger Communities
Our Employee Value Proposition (EVP) represents the unique benefits, experiences and opportunities that define what it means to work at Family Life. It reflects our commitment to fostering an environment where every team member feels valued, engaged and inspired to thrive.
All offers of employment are subject to the Family Life Safety Screening process, including a Working with Children Check and Police Records Check. Any person issued with a negative notice on their Working with Children Check will not be eligible for employment with Family Life.
Family Life values diversity and welcomes applicants who meet the position criteria, irrespective of race and ethnicity, colour, age, gender, gender identity, disability, religion and sexual orientation.
Family Life is a trauma informed organisation and recognises the unique skills, contributions and insights that come from lived experience.
Family Life is a child safe organisation. We value, respect and listen to children and young people. We are committed to the safety of all children and young people. Family Life supports children to meet their potential and thrive. We do not tolerate neglect, mistreatment or abuse of any kind.
