Community Early Parenting Practitioner

Position Description

Early Parenting Practitioner | Community

Last Updated: 5.01.

QEC is proud to be Victoria’s largest provider of residential and community-based early

parenting services.

Formed in 1917, QEC is also a public hospital and community service organisation. We are

passionate about supporting families to grow, parents to blossom and children to thrive.

QEC delivers a variety of services and support programs to families with young children (aged

from newborn to 4 years of age) in partnership with government and not for profit partners.

QEC promotes the safety, wellbeing and inclusion of all children. Many families experience

various challenges that, from time to time, may impact on their ability to nurture and support the

growth and development of their young children. QEC offers a community of support to

families if and when we are needed.

QEC programs are research-informed and tailored to meet the unique needs of each family. Our

work equips families to best nurture, protect and enhance their children’s safety, health and

development.

QEC’s multidisciplinary team of experienced professionals are committed to partnering with

families to achieve the best outcomes for children. Our team includes Maternal and Child

Health, Paediatric, Mental Health and General Nurses, a Medical Practitioner, Midwives,

Psychologists, Social Workers, and Early Parenting Practitioners.

With service locations based at Noble Park, Mentone, Wodonga, Preston, Dandenong, Carrum

Downs, Morwell and Bairnsdale, QEC are committed to providing services that are accessible to

families across Victoria.

We acknowledge all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the traditional owners of

the lands on which we walk, live and raise our children. We pay our respects to traditional

owners past, present and future and acknowledge the importance of children being raised

with connections to culture, community and family.

Our Vision All children have the best start in life

Our Role Partnering with families and communities to enable children to thrive

Our Values

Listen, understand and learn
Embrace cultures, communities and families
Celebrate unique strengths and experiences
Inspire each other to grow and thrive
Nurture kindness and the joy of play
Strive to deliver the best outcomes and care

1. Introduction

2 Last Updated: 5.01.

Position Description

Early Parenting Practitioner | Community

Position Objective

The Early Parenting Practitioner (EPP) is part of a multidisciplinary team providing support for

families with children under 4 years of age that are experiencing parenting challenges. Working

with the support and guidance of the Program Coordinator, other team members and the Area

manager, the EPP will provide specialised support, care and education to families in the family

home.

QEC provides a range of home based programs, varying in duration and intensity to reflect the

needs of the family. The EPP role, like other clinical roles, is able to work in these different and new

programs as they evolve.

During home visits (and sometimes these are community site visits), the EPP observes and

identifies parenting strengths and challenges. During the course of a program, the EPP builds

on parenting competencies and provides teaching, modelling, coaching, encouragement and

support and enhance parenting skills and confidence.

In response to the COVID-19 Pandemic, QEC clinical staff are utlisling a combination of telehealth

and face to face contacts.

Position Details

Location
The position is based at QEC’s Southern Metropolitan Region Office with
travel to family homes in the region. Travel will be required to other QEC
sites, including Noble Park for training and professional development.

Hours

0.8 FTE

Agreement

Nurses and Midwives (Victorian Public Sector) (Single Interest Employers)
Enterprise Agreement 2021 -

Classification

Grade EN Level

Reports to Co-ordinator

Supervises N/A

Internal Liaisons
Families/Clients
QEC clinical teams and relevant committees
QEC employees

External Liaisons

Families/Clients
Department of Health and Human Services
Alliance Partners
Maternal and Child Health, Allied Health
Associated customer service and communications networks
Other external stakeholders

2. Position Profile

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Position Description

Early Parenting Practitioner | Community

QEC provide a variety of programs to families across Victoria, from our Residential and
Community Sites.

Parenting Assessment and Skill Development Service (PASDS) residential
PASDS is provided to families with children aged under 4 years at high risk of harm, who
are referred by the DFFH Child Protection service. The program is operated in accordance
with specific protocols that provide a framework for assessment of parenting capacity, and
planned interventions to support and develop parenting skills. A residential program
(based at the Noble Park Site) will run for 10 days.

PASDS home based
A community-based program run in the home and is based on hours of service deliver that
a family requires to meet their circumstances, as per paragraph above.
Location of Community Based PASDS Services:

• Southern Region program (operates from QEC Carrum Downs site)

• North and West Region program (operates QEC from Preston site)

• Gippsland Region program (operates from QEC Morwell and Bairnsdale sites)

• Hume Region program (operates from QEC Wodonga site)

Residential Program
The Residential Program offers an intensive style of support and care for families who are
experiencing a range of difficulties with their young children aged from birth until prior to
turning 4 years of age. The residential stay can be 2 night/ 4 nights or 4-night telehealth.
Families are provided with practical support, education and advice whilst staying at QEC.

Individual Child and Family Support Programs
The Individual Family and Child Support Programs provide families with home-based
parenting support for fixed periods: 10 hours, 40 hours or 110 hours.
Location of Individual Family and Child Support Programs:

• Gippsland Region program (operates from QEC Morwell)

• Hume Region program (operates from QEC Wodonga site)

Parenting Plus
Parenting Plus is a flexible home-based program, providing parenting support and
coaching to families with children aged under 4 years. The program delivers early
intervention to families experiencing sleep and settling difficulties and those with significant
parenting challenges.
Location of Parenting Plus Services:

• Southern Region program (operates from QEC Carrum Downs site)
  

3. QEC Programs

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Position Description

Early Parenting Practitioner | Community

Day Stay, Play Steps, Assessment and Intake
The Day Stay program offers families with young children aged from birth until prior to
turning 4 years of age, support and education to deal with sleep and settling issues. Offered
as full day admission
The Play Steps program is an evidence-based program facilitated in a group setting.
Focussing on parent child relationship. Play steps is run for in 8-week cycles.

Specialised Interventions - Stronger Families
Specialised Interventions - Stronger Families is an intensive home visiting program
targeting families with children under 4 years of age families referred to this program are
enrolled in a family preservation and unification response program with QEC or a partner
agency.
Location of Specialist Interventions - Stronger Families:

• Southern Region program (operates from QEC Carrum Downs site)

• North and West Region program (operates QEC from Preston site)

• Gippsland Region program (operates from QEC Morwell and Bairnsdale sits)

Family Preservation and Reunification Response (FPRR)
FPRR is an intensive 240-hour home visiting program targeting families with children
involved with the Child Projection system, from birth to 5 years of age (including children
subject to an unborn report).
The FPRR model is an integrated and evidence-informed approach supporting children and
families in partnership with Child Protection to: Keep children safely at home, prevent
children and young people entering care services and support children and young people
currently in care to safely reunify with their family.

5 Last Updated: 5.01.

Position Description

Early Parenting Practitioner | Community

Position Objectives

Enhance each families’ experience

• Engage and work in partnership with parent/caregivers

• Works collaboratively, consulting with QEC Team, external professionals, and the

family to enhance goal achievement

• Work in alignment with QEC’s Model of Care

• Demonstrate knowledge of QEC’s policies and procedures, standards and relevant

legislation informing practice

• Record observations made in a timely manner on QEC template under specific

headed areas relating to parent/child interactions.

• Identifies and promptly inform the Coordinator of any changes or emerging issues

which may alter the level of risk to the child/ren

• Actively participates in risk management processes

• Participation in quality improvement projects

• Membership on key QEC clinical working groups including: Infection Prevention

and Control and Clinical Governance

• Working in accordance with QEC Model of Care, Practice Framework, policies, and

procedures

• Compliance with mandated requirements ensuring child safety and wellbeing at all

times

• Promotes care that upholds the rights of the families in relation to privacy, consent

and confidentiality

• Identify and manage actual or potential risks to children according to QEC policy

and procedures and legislative requirements

• Integrate cultural sensitivity and respect in all communications and interactions.

• Participate in regular clinical audits
  

• Communicates in an effective and culturally sensitive manner with clients, visitor and

QEC staff

• Develops highly respectful relationships with team, external stakeholders and

families

• Contribute to quality and safety improvement projects

• Undertake other duties as assigned by the reporting Director/Manager
  

4. Key Accountabilities

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Position Description

Early Parenting Practitioner | Community

Essential Criteria

• A relevant tertiary qualification in Early

Childhood Development, Community
Services, Infant Mental Health, Enrolled
Nurse or equivalent qualification in a human
services discipline, at diploma level or
higher.

• Experience in working with families in the

health/welfare sector

• Experience working in community settings

such as home based family services and/or
long day child care

• An understanding of child development and

factors that impede a child’s development

• Excellent communication, organisational and

ability to be self-directed

• AHPRA Registration as relevant

• Current Working with Children Check

• Consent to undertake National Police Record

Check

• Current Australian Work Rights

• Evidence of up-to-date immunisation

schedule

• Current COVID-19 Vaccination

• Current Victorian Driver’s License
  

• Excellent written and verbal communication

skills, and able to adapt style to a range of
audiences.

• High level organisational and prioritising

skills. High level attention to detail

• Aptitude for navigating new software

• Proactive problem-solving skills

Desirable Criteria

• Previous experience working in an Early

Parenting Centre or Mother Baby Unit

• •
  

Personal Attributes Refer to VPSC Capability Framework

• Integrity - Operates in a manner that is

consistent with the organisation’s code of
conduct. Builds trust through consistent
actions, values and communication. Treats
all sensitive information with utmost
confidentiality.

• Relationship Building and Collaboration –

Establishes and maintains positive work
relationships, promotes consensus through
diplomatic handling of agreements, forges
useful partnerships with people, builds trust
through consistent actions, values and
communication.

• Organisational and Time Management

Skills – Reliable and punctual. Manages own
work time effectively and prioritises work
tasks, seeking advice as needed.

• Empathy and Cultural Awareness -

Communicates well with, relates to and sees
issues from the perspective of people from a
diverse range of culture and backgrounds.
Respect and value the traditional owners.

• Customer Service – Consistent polite,

friendly, professional presentation. Treats
others with dignity and respect at all times.
Takes responsibility for own workload and
promptly escalates any concerns or issues.

• Conceptual and Analytical Ability – Uses

analytical and conceptual skills to reason
through problems.

5. Key Selection

7 Last Updated: 5.01.

Position Description

Early Parenting Practitioner | Community

At QEC, we are committed to providing a safe and supportive environment for

children and we adhere to the Child Safe Standards

The Victorian Public Sector Code of Conduct and all QEC policies and

procedures apply to our employment at QEC

It is important to us that all people (employees, client families, visitors and all

others) feel a sense of belonging, safety and acceptance at QEC. We welcome and

embrace the valued diversity we all bring to our organisation, and do not tolerate

any form of discrimination, violence, bullying or harassment at QEC.

QEC are committed to the safety and wellbeing of client families and
employees. We are a smoke free workplace and require health care worker
immunisation – important to keeping us all healthy and safe.

A pre-employment medical assessment may be required upon request

QEC closes for the period over Christmas/New Year to provide our teams

with a well-earned break. It is a requirement that all relevant employees take

annual leave during this period