Position Description
Employer: The Australian Centre for Social Innovation
Project: Family by Family
Role title: Family Coach
The role
Family by Family is all about family-led change. We link-up families with things in common to change
the things they want to change. The Family Coach is designed to keep the focus on change.
The coaching aspect helps set Family by Family apart from more traditional mentoring, befriending,
or home visiting programs. Coaches motivate, inspire, and problem-solve with families – they
facilitate, rather than drive change.
Family Coaches not only work directly with families, but with local service providers, businesses,
and community leaders to promote families as local resources.
The Family Coach is a diverse role, and coaches wear many hats:
1. Coach
A Family Coach is just like any coach. Their role is not to do the work themselves but to act as a
role model, and helper to their team. They need to provide inspiration and leadership which means
recognising and celebrating the good stuff but also challenging peoples views and giving and getting
helpful feedback. Through all of these things a great coach can create a fun environment and build
great relationships.
2. Research & theory
Research and theory are a really important part of Family by Family. This means that Family Coaches
will have a good grounding in social work and family support theory. This also means that Coaches
can apply this theory to your day to day work and help explain some of its meaning in “family
language”.
3. Networking
Any community is only as strong as its network. A big part of any Family by Family role is to network
with people in the community. This means networking with local services, non-profits, and
government agencies BUT also the local butcher, the local sports team so that when people need
something you know who to ask. Great networking also means that you are building strong internal
networks as well, between other Coaches, Coach Leads, and Admin supporters.
4. Storytelling
When working with families and different groups clear communication is vital. Aside from just
communicating their message a great storyteller can also share the Family by Family language and
feeling. Good storytellers will also use their own experiences to build trust and relationships with
others. All the while doing it in the right way for the right audience.
5. Innovation
Innovation is all about problem solving and challenging the status quo. This means that Coaches are
not afraid to challenge existing structures and if they see a problem they try and work out a way to
fix it!
6. Great experiences
Everything is about planning and creating great experiences. This can be planning large events for
100 people, smaller experiences for 10 people or even just hanging out with one family. It doesn’t
matter how big the crowd it always means similar things, good planning, developmental activities
and keeping the families at the centre.
7. Smart working
There are a lot of different things that happen in a day, and Coaches will mostly be working
autonomously. This means that organisation, time management and problem solving are key day to
day. Smart working also means that Coaches are able to see that by taking small breaks and focusing
on their own learning they are actually going to be better at their job.
What your friends and colleagues say
You are full of energy – you can pack a lot in a day and juggle multiple balls at once. You love doing
heaps of different things and would get bored doing the same thing every day.
You are passionate – you throw your heart and soul into your work. Jobs are never just jobs for you.
You inspire – you are known as the 'can do' person, not the 'can't do' or 'I'm not sure' person.
You empower – you don’t just fix things yourself, you teach others and bring them along for the ride.
You are a connector – you are the matchmaker, always connecting up people and introducing them
to each other.
You are humble – you can step out of your own shoes and ways of doing things and understand a
range of new situations and contexts. You don't see yourself as an expert, just someone with
experience to share and new stuff to learn.
You seek out change – you like a bit of uncertainty and are willing to roll up your sleeves to try new
things and make them work better.
What your week could look like
Your week will be quite diverse, ranging from working with families in one-on-one interactions, to
facilitating groups, to explaining Family by Family to a group of social workers. Common jobs include:
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Working with families to set goals.
Talking to services about change in their clients
Doing a presentation to a Families SA office about Family by Family
Facilitating a team coaching session and offering new ideas for families to try out on link-ups
Organising to catch up with families
Supporting families with new ideas to do with their kids.
Calling a family to celebrate submitting their application to uni.
Your Supports
• Reporting to Coach Lead, Family by Family
• Supported by Kids Coaches, other Family Coaches
• Supporter by Director, Family by Family
Position Requirements
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Mandated Notifier
Minimum Level Qualification: social work, teaching, relevant degree, or relevant experience
Driver’s License
Satisfactory computer skills and working iPad knowledge
Experience in Family/Child Space
Out of Hours Work will be required and some interstate or overseas travel may be required.
What we offer
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Initial two year contract
Based both at your local site (Playford or Marion) and also spend time centrally at TACSI
Salary package includes $65,000 + super, car, phone and laptop
Projected start date is 9 September, 2013.
Four weeks annual leave per year.
The application process
1. Written application
We want to get to know a bit about you – your background, experiences, values, and
motivators. That's why we're asking questions, rather than just asking for a cover letter and
CV. You can use words, pictures, film, audio, websites – whatever you like – to answer each
question. Please keep written responses to 250 words or less per question. Send your
responses to [email protected] by 5 August at 5pm along with your CV.
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What has motivated to you to apply to be a family coach?
What makes a great family? How has your own experience of family shaped your
professional approach and style?
Tell us about a time when you have enabled someone to change a behaviour, or role
model a different way of doing something?
Give us an example of a tough conversation you've had with a client, family or team
member. What was your approach, and what was the result?
Give us an example of how you've shaped your work environment to enable better
outcomes for your clients/end users/families?
2. Interviews.
Successful applicants will be invited to an interview and dinner with some of our families.
During the dinner you will be 'speed meeting' some of our families and have a chance to
experience Family by Family in full swing.
3. Results
Successful applicants will be notified as soon as possible.
4. Start!
We aim to have our new Family Coaches start around 9 September.
If you have any queries please email [email protected] or
contact Karen Lewis on 08 7325 4949.