Family Practitioner

Are you committed to helping men in custody build and sustain positive, supportive family relationships?

Do you have experience delivering family and parenting programs or services?

Full Time salary $85,000 - $87,000 plus superannuation

About The GEO Group Australia      

The GEO Group is the country's leading provider of outsourced correctional services, operating in NSW and VIC. We aim to deliver better corrections and create safer communities. We focus on providing a continuum of care and integration of services to make a real difference in the lives of people we work with. As a Registered Training Provider (number 3570), GEO offers a wide variety of training programs which are nationally accredited.

Our company is defined by us always acting with Integrity, showing everyone Respect without fail, being Accountable at all times, always being Agile and continuously looking for opportunities to be Innovative.

To view our videos, including the type of individuals we seek to join our business, click here.

For more information about our organisation, visit our website at www.geogroup.com.au.

About Ravenhall Correctional Centre

Ravenhall is Victoria’s largest, medium security prison for adult sentenced and unsentenced males. Its contemporary campus-style design provides a safe and humane environment that enables and nurtures GEOs Continuum of Care operating philosophy.

Ravenhall also has a dedicated Forensic Mental Health Unit, a specialised Closed Supervision Unit for prisoners with significant challenging behaviours, and a small Mission Based Unit for prisoners who have never been in custody before.  In recognition of the importance of Continuum of Care, Ravenhall extends its presence into the community by providing ex-prisoners with access to post-release support at GEO’s Community Reintegration Centre.

With key focus on young adult offenders, Aboriginal and those with complex and mental health needs, prisoners at Ravenhall have significant opportunities to engage in work, education, programs and services, through an evidence based approach to reduce re-offending.

Ravenhall’s unprecedented emphasis on offender rehabilitation and reintegration is evidenced through collaborative and integrated relationships with key Alliance service partners including Forensicare, Correct Care Australia, YMCA, Honeywell and Bendigo Kangan Institute of Tafe.

To learn more about Ravenhall Correctional Centre, click here.

About the Opportunity

The Family Practitioner will provide pre-and post-release interventions that support prisoners to develop positive links and networks with their families.  They are responsible for assisting prisoners to maintain or re-establish familial relationships that can act as a protective factor and support positive rehabilitation and reintegration outcomes. 

Using a whole of family approach, the Family Practitioner will identify, assess and coordinate family services including the family case management program as well as referrals for men and their families to community agencies as required.  This includes liaison with Government Departments, such as the Department of Health and Human Services, Child Protection, to assist the prisoner’s transition to the family unit and broader community.   They will also deliver RCC’s Parenting Program to provide simple and practical strategies to help prisoners develop strong, healthy relationships, confidently manage their children’s behaviour and prevent problems developing. 

This role will:

• Assist in the management of reintegration programs and prisoner services that relate to family services.
• Facilitate Ravenhall’s Family Case Management Programs by undertaking a comprehensive assessment and tailored support plan to meet the needs of the participant.
• Act as a point of contact (and advocacy function where appropriate) between DHHS Child Protection and other community services, including where men identify a desire to maintain/re-establish contact with their children.
• Deliver a high-quality family support and reunification service to incarcerated men.
• Facilitate a group-based parenting program and provide individual parenting support where required.
• Evaluate and report on program outcomes to relevant stakeholders as required.
• Coordinate the Just for Dads program by delivering monthly themed activities for men at Ravenhall with their children.
• Liaise and work co-operatively with Child Protection, legal representatives, carers and family members of prisoners (including community agencies and services).
• Provide expert advice and consultation for staff on prisoner family programs and matters.

Your Skills and Experience 

To be successful in the role of Family Practitioner you will have:  

• Tertiary qualification in Social Work, Psychology or related social science/welfare fields or equivalent professional experience.
• Sound knowledge of contemporary/community issues and matters that effect families and prisoner rehabilitation and reintegration programs.
• Experience in Family Case Management and liaising with internal and external agencies such as DHHS, Child Protection.
• Experience in the delivery of parenting programs.
• Understanding of trauma and trauma-informed practice.
• Proven ability to build rapport and maintain effective relationships with prisoners, peers and relevant agencies/key stakeholders.

For more information about this position, please click here to download the position description.

About the Benefits

Joining GEO is your chance to make a real and lasting difference in the lives of prisoners, their families and the community. Benefits of working for GEO, include but are not limited to:

• Role diversity and internal career progression opportunities
• Ongoing funding for professional development opportunities (including further education sponsorship)
• Support with Professional Registration costs
• Flexible working arrangements
• Competitive salary and rewards scheme
• Free parking
• Employee Assistance Program
• Staff gym
• Subsidised meals
• Fitness Passport to promote wellbeing. Discounted gym and pool access for members and their families to over 1500 fitness facilities across Australia.
• REACH Program
• Discounted Private Health Insurance (Medibank Private)
• VCEA (Victorian Correctional Employees Association)  

How to Apply

To initiate the application process, click on the "Apply" button and proceed through the application questionnaire located beneath the job advertisement.

The application process has several stages, and should your application advance, you will be expected to engage in the following steps:

• In-Person (preferred) or Virtual Interview Attendance.
• Reference checks will be conducted following the interview.
• National Police Certificate Authority Clearance 
• Pre-Employment Medical and Fitness Assessment, which will be covered by our organisation. The evaluation will likely include various aspects, including assessed lifting capacity, aerobic fitness, lung function, grip strength, upper body strength, lower body strength, and core strength.

Important: Please note that Pre-Employment clearance can take up to approximately 6-8 weeks. 

Please note: Only permanent Australian residents, Australian citizens or candidates with unrestricted visas and the right to work in Australia are eligible to apply for these positions. 

Don't meet every requirement? At Ravenhall Correctional Centre, we understand that your work and life experiences can be just as valuable. If you're excited about this role but your CV doesn't align perfectly with our job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or one of our many other opportunities. 

To be considered for this role, applicants must submit a cover letter and a current resume.

For any enquiries, or to discuss the position in more detail please contact Human Resources at Ravenhall Careers ravenhallcareers@geogroup.com.au 

This is a rare opportunity to join an organisation that is growing and dedicated to improving our communities. Don't wait - Apply Now!

 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants are highly encouraged to apply

Applications close at 11:59 pm, Thursday, 24 April 2025 

We are always looking for people to join our company who share the values that we stand for:  

INTEGRITY          RESPECT         ACCOUNTABLE       AGILE         INNOVATIVE