Family Life - Transforming lives for stronger communities

● Collaborate and build strong relationships with both Family Life’s team and partner agencies

● Enjoy flexible work options and a great team culture

● Full-time, fixed-term contract role funded until 30th June 2026

● Level 5 SCHADS Award $100,776 FTE plus generous salary packaging and superannuation

Work with us at Family Life and be part of our supportive, people-focused culture.

The Opportunity

We are seeking an experienced Practitioner, ideally with experience in the Family Services and Community Sector, to join Family Life as a Community Connector Practitioner. This full-time, fixed-term role (until 30th June 2026) is based across Sandringham, Hampton East, and Frankston, supporting families in the Bayside/Peninsula region (Bunurong Land). The role focuses on helping families transition from intensive services by fostering community connections and sustainable support networks.

Working closely with Family Life teams and partner agencies, the Practitioner will provide hands-on support, facilitate referrals, and co-develop group offerings that promote engagement and belonging. Strong collaboration with FPRR Lead Practitioners, DFFH Navigators, and care teams is essential, along with a deep understanding of local services to establish effective referral pathways.

Key Responsibility Areas

The key responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Manage a caseload of families working with FPRR funded agencies across the Bayside Peninsula area.

Utilise systems and community capacity building skills to promote empowerment, independence and sustainable change.

Deliver practical, targeted support to families consistent with their community connection plan, goals and recommendations from the care team. Identifying emerging community needs and designing/facilitating group/ community-based programs that promote connection, resilience and wellbeing.

Maintain strong working relationships with the FPRR Lead Practitioners from funded agencies, ensuring collaborative and complimentary support to families.

Work alongside the Community Activation team in building, updating and maintaining professional and support networks. Ensuring avenues for warm referral and smooth connection to activities and support.

Build capacity in community resources to support local families on the caseload to access connection

Develop a comprehensive understanding of the FPR module-based framework.

Carry a specialist portfolio such as group work and community programs to promote interventions designed to strengthen family capacity and reduce social isolation and loneliness.

Our Ideal Candidate at Family Life

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.

The Community Connector Practitioner will be required to work flexibly, with hours that are aligned with the needs of the client, which will include outside normal business hours and occasional weekend work. Additionally, whilst primarily based from Family Life’s Sandringham, Hampton East and Frankston locations, this role will involve working across partner agencies to deliver support to families engaged in the response.

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.

Working at Family Life - 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:

● Flexible work options and a great team culture

● Salary packaging (receive up to an extra $18,500 in tax-free pay per year)

● Paid Wellbeing Leave

● Paid Study Leave

● Additional Paid Leave for End of Year Closedown

● Purchased Annual Leave Scheme

● Rostered Day Off Scheme for Eligible Employees

● Employee Assistance Program, a free and confidential counselling service for employees

How to Apply

You can view the full position description and submit your confidential application—including a CV and cover letter addressing the key selection criteria—via the Family Life Careers.

For further information regarding the position please contact Michelle Rowland, Team Leader, Family Services on (03) 8599 5433.

*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!

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.