Social Worker- Early Childhood Education and Care

Social Worker- Early Childhood Education Care– BPA Early Learning

Make a meaningful contribution to the future of early childhood education and care.

About BPA Early Learning

Established in 1998, BPA Early Learning is a not-for-profit Early Years Manager providing kindergarten and childcare services across Melbourne’s western suburbs.

Today, more than 400 employees support over 2,500 children and their families across over 30 early childhood services, working in partnership with parents, communities and local and state government to deliver high-quality early childhood education and care.

Child Safety

At BPA Early Learning, child safety is at the heart of everything we do. We are looking for a Social Worker who understand that creating a child-safe environment is everyone's responsibility and who are committed to ensuring every child feels safe, respected, included, heard and empowered.

The Opportunity

This is a relationship-centred, strengths-based role providing professional consultation, family support, referrals and connections to community services, while building educator capability to support children’s social and emotional wellbeing.

The role contributes to BPA’s commitment to child safety, wellbeing, access and inclusion, aligning with School Readiness Funding (SRF) priorities. Working within a clear professional practice framework, the Social Worker complements the roles of educators, service leaders, Compliance and external specialist and statutory services.

Key Responsibilities

- Engage collaboratively with children, families and relevant stakeholders to identify strengths, needs, goals and appropriate support strategies.

- Build educator capability through coaching, mentoring and guidance in trauma-informed, strengths-based and family-centred approaches.

- Undertake assessment of wellbeing, family circumstances, support needs and potential risks, and provide advice on appropriate interventions, responses and escalation pathways.

- Coordinate and facilitate timely referrals to relevant health, mental health, allied health,



family support, housing, financial and community services.

- Establish and maintain effective partnerships with Child Protection, statutory agencies, community organisations and other external professionals, as appropriate.

- Monitor referrals and support plans to promote continuity of care, effective communication, appropriate transitions and timely case closure.

- Maintain accurate, confidential and timely records relating to professional consultations, assessments, referrals, interventions and outcomes.

- Contribute to the development and delivery of professional learning, resources and practice initiatives that strengthen staff capability and improve outcomes for children and families.

- Contribute to service planning, evaluation, quality improvement and organisational initiatives that promote wellbeing, access and inclusion.

- Ensure professional practice is aligned with the VEYLDF, Service Reform Framework (SRF), relevant legislation, organisational policies, skilled standards and ethical requirements

About You

You are a skilled and compassionate Social Worker who is passionate about supporting children and families and strengthening the capability of those who work with them.

You will bring:

- Proven experience working with children and families experiencing vulnerability, disadvantage, trauma or complex social circumstances.

- Strong knowledge and practical understanding of child safety, risk assessment, mandatory reporting and appropriate escalation pathways .

- Demonstrated ability to apply strengths-based, trauma-informed and family-centred approaches in practice.

- Strong understanding of child wellbeing, access and inclusion within an early childhood environment.





- Demonstrated ability to provide professional consultation, coaching, mentoring and guidance to educators, Nominated Supervisors and service leaders.

- Sound knowledge of community services and referral pathways, with the ability to connect children and families with appropriate support.

- Highly developed communication, interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with the ability to engage respectfully with children, families, educators and external professionals.

- Strong professional judgement and the ability to respond appropriately to sensitive, complex or high-risk situations.

- Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality, professional boundaries and accurate, timely and professional documentation.

- Proven ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary and cross-functional teams and build collaborative partnerships across services.

- Knowledge and understanding of the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework (VEYLDF) and its application within early childhood settings.

- A commitment to inclusive, culturally responsive and child-centred practice and to promoting positive outcomes for children and families.

- A current valid Australian driver’s licence and access to a reliable vehicle , with the ability to travel between early learning services as required.

Desirable Experience:

- Experience working within an early childhood education and care environment.

- Demonstrate experience working with Child Protection or statutory services.

- Experience supporting children and families experiencing trauma or significant vulnerability.

- Experience delivering professional learning, coaching or mentoring.

- Experience working across large or complex organisations.

Qualifications and Requirements:

Bachelor’s degree in social work.

Minimum two years' relevant professional experience, consistent with SRF requirements.

Eligibility to work within relevant Victorian child safety and regulatory requirements

Successful Working with Children Check and Police Check

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📌 Social Worker- Early Childhood Education and Care (Melbourne)
🏢 BPA Early Learning
📍 Melbourne