Growing Learners Program Coordinator

Summary about this job

Detail information about job Growing Learners Program Coordinator. Terms and conditions vacancy

Summary of program and its objectives:

Children Youth & Families is one of six Divisions of the Brotherhood of St. Laurence (BSL)

Connie Benn Centre and Community Team

The Connie Benn Centre is an integrated service hub which provides a range of programs and services for children 0-12 years and their families.  The City of Yarra manage the centre and work in partnership with the Brotherhood of St Laurence in the delivery of the programs and services.

The centre’s vision is:

“We will build an integrated and inclusive Centre for children and families that focuses on children’s rights, education, health and wellbeing and will enhance individual and community capacities”.

The BSL Connie Benn Community Team provides a range of programs for families and children including:

• 2Generation - Growing Learners & Economic Participation
• Supported Community Playgroups
• Homework Club
• Parent School Connect
• Breakfast Club
• Home Interaction Program for Parents and Youngsters
• Parenting Programs

ABOUT OUR 2GEN / GROWING LEARNERS PROGRAM

The Brotherhood is committed to work from a 2Generational framework which supports families from a holistic perspective.  Working within a team approach and based on the 2Generation intervention, vulnerable families will be identified and intentionally supported to build their parenting capabilities and confidence (Growing Learners program), achieve their employment aspirations (Economic Participation program) and address participation barriers to engage in quality early years programs. 

The early year’s program, Growing Learners, is a targeted intervention for families identified as at risk with children in the 0-3 years age range, that places parents/primary caregivers as the crucial educator for their children. Growing Learners is a new program which incorporates Learning Groups (for parents and children together), home visits, parent peer support groups and a father’s group. The program coordinator works in an inter-disciplinary team and develops partnerships with early childhood services such as Maternal Child and Health. Families are encouraged to participate in program planning and evaluation to ensure greater responsiveness to their needs and aspirations.

The model is holistic and family centered, encompassing a quality early learning program for children 0-3 years and their parents which aims to build parent/caregivers capacity as their child’s first teacher and support social connectedness. There is an equal focus on outcomes for both the parent/caregiver and child, including supporting the development of positive parent/child and peer relationships. The program is underpinned by the Early Years Learning Framework and Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework

Main responsibilities of the role:

This position will work with the Senior Manager and Economic Participation Coordinator to support the development and implementation of the 2 Generation approach, including the key coordination for the Growing Learners program.   

The Coordinator will develop and implement the Growing Learners Program by working in partnership with an inter-disciplinary team and key stakeholders to achieve the program outcomes for both children and families, utilising a family centered and strengths based framework. The position is required to build positive and supportive relationships with both children and parents/caregivers, as well as facilitate groups within an early childhood context. The main focus is to ensure best practice is applied in delivery of early learning/ parenting programs, and that parents build capacity to be their child’s first teacher and increase their social connectedness.  The role will assist families to link into additional support systems that enhance family wellbeing, aspirations and outcomes.

To meet the selection criteria, candidates will require: (insert KSC from PD)

Essential

• Adult Education or Group Work qualifications with experience in Early Years OR Early Years tertiary qualification - Minimum Diploma Children’s Services or equivalent - with experience in Adult Education.
• Good working knowledge of the national and Victorian Early Years Learning Frameworks, and sound knowledge of early childhood development and learning.
• Demonstrated experience in working with, and supporting parents in their parenting role and in working with CALD communities, vulnerable children and their families.  
• Strong group development and facilitation skills
• Demonstrated experience Understanding of and experience utilising a strength based approach to building individual and community capacity
• Strong interpersonal skills in building positive connections and trusting relationships with children and families from diverse backgrounds
• Strong leadership skills and ability to mentor other staff and volunteers
• Well-developed written and verbal communication skills with the ability to liaise with a broad range of people
• Ability to work independently and effectively within a team environment particularly within an integrated service model
• Understanding of and empathy with the values and ideals of the Brotherhood

Desirable

• Previous experience working in similar early years programs, including Supported Playgroups and parenting programs.
• Qualifications or previous experience working in community development programs or family support.
• Previous experience in the development and evaluation of new programs
• Ability to speak a community language other than English

This is a part time position working 30.4 hours per week.

Salary will be in the range of $65,668.72 to $71,851.52 pro rata per annum, based on skills and experience plus superannuation. Attractive salary packaging provisions are available to increase take home pay.

A copy of the position description and screening questionnaire can be downloaded at https://www.bsl.org.au/about/careers/jobs/ . For further information about the role phone Carol I'Anson on (03) 9426 1577.

To apply:

Applicants are required to submit a resume and complete the screening questionnaire. Applicants who do not complete the screening questionnaire will not be considered for shortlisting.

Email written applications to: [email protected]

Applications close: 30th July 2018, 5pm

The Brotherhood of St Laurence has a vision of an Australia free of Poverty. We embrace, and value, diversity of culture, working arrangements, sexual orientation and gender identity to ensure our workforce is representative of the community that we work within. We promote a workplace that actively seeks to include and welcome unique contributions of all people. We embrace and celebrate the value of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff, their skills and contribution to our organisation.  Applicants should be aware that as required, we conduct police and working with children checks as we acknowledge the importance of Child Safety.