About the Program

Help shape a new way of supporting children and families

Thriving Kids is a new system of disability supports that is changing how children and families access support across Victoria.

We're looking for Community Development Advisors to help shape how Thriving Kids connects with communities and becomes part of the local support landscape across Victoria.

The reform will establish a coordinated and accessible model of support, with a solid focus on prevention, early intervention and responding to needs as they emerge.

Thriving Kids will bring together education, health and community services to provide families with accessible and developmentally appropriate support, including information and advice, developmental assessment, support to build parents' and carers' skills and confidence, and targeted, time-limited allied health supports.

This is an opportunity to help shape a new service model and make a meaningful difference to children, families and the professionals who support them.

About the Role

There are three fixed term positions that could be based out of three locations: Melton, Coburg or Footscray. Please indicate your preference on the application form.

Connect communities. Build partnerships. Make a difference.

As a Community Development Advisor, you'll help make Thriving Kids a visible, trusted and accessible service in local communities.

You'll build strong partnerships across early childhood, education, health and community services, understand local needs and opportunities, and help create better pathways for children and families.

You will:

- Build relationships with communities to understand local strengths, needs and priorities.
- Develop partnerships that strengthen local support networks and pathways to Thriving Kids.
- Represent Thriving Kids across local networks and community settings.
- Identify barriers, service gaps and emerging needs and help develop practical local responses.




- Support initiatives that promote inclusion, participation and positive outcomes for children and families.
- Work closely with Access and Pathways, Allied Health and the broader Thriving Kids team to strengthen service integration.
- Bring local knowledge, community feedback and insights into service planning and continuous improvement.

This is a role for someone who enjoys connecting people, building partnerships and turning community insight into action.

About You

You're a community development professional who knows how to build trusted relationships, bring people together and create practical solutions.

You'll bring:

- Experience in community development, community engagement, place-based practice or a related field.
- Strong partnership, communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
- Experience working across community, health, education, early childhood or human services.
- The ability to identify local needs, opportunities and barriers and turn them into action.
- Experience working collaboratively in complex, multi-stakeholder environments.
- A strong understanding of child and family services and/or the early childhood sector.
- A strengths-based, collaborative approach and a commitment to inclusion and early intervention.

About the Team

You'll join a multidisciplinary Thriving Kids team bringing together community development, Access and Pathways, and Allied Health supports.

Together,



we're building a connected and accessible way for children and families to get the support they need — working with communities and local services to make sure support is responsive, practical and connected to where families live and learn.

About the Department

The Department of Education provides a wide range of learning and development support and services. The department provides policy leadership, plans for the future of education in Victoria and leads key cross-sector collaboration. The department plays an important system steward role by providing support, guidance, oversight and assurance across early childhood and school education systems, as well as directly providing school education and 50 new early learning centres.

Important Information

For more details about this role, please refer to the attached position description.

If you have further questions, please contact Brooke Streatfeild at ***************@education.vic.gov.au or phone: 0477 732 ***

The Department values diversity and inclusion in all forms - gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQ+, disability and neurodiversity. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. For more information about our work, working for the Department, diversity and inclusion, and our employment conditions, visit our website.

Preferred applicants may be required to complete a police check and may be subject to other pre-employment checks. Information provided to the Department of Education will be treated in the strictest confidence.

If you require any adjustments to ensure your full participation in the recruitment process or if you need the advertisement or any attachments in an accessible format (e.g. large print) due to any viewing difficulties or other accessibility requirements, please get in touch with the contact person listed on this advertisement.

Applications close 11:59 pm Australian Eastern Standard/Daylight Saving Time on 4th November 2026.

📌 Community Development Advisor - Thriving Kids (Melbourne)
🏢 Department of Education Victoria
📍 Melbourne