Community Development Coordinators

• Are a friendly and welcoming face for families to connect with, who are passionate about building child, parent, caregiver and community capacity by strengthening their skills, abilities and knowledge
• Value the critical role parents, caregivers and communities have in the lives of children
• Highly value relationships with children, families and communities and use strategic community development methodologies to draw upon their strengths, skills, knowledge, resources and abilities to help drive local level planning
• Create opportunities to connect families with a focus on alleviating social isolation and developing strong supports within and external to the family
• Ensure parents, caregivers, children and community are consulted and become the leaders in the goals and vision for their own lives
• Gather the voices of children and their families, and together develop projects in response to their needs and identified gaps in services, at a local response level
• Provide opportunities for families to increase their knowledge and skills relating to their parenting journey and childhood development
• Support and empower parents and caregivers as the strongest influence on their child’s wellbeing and development
• Encourage families and staff to have a strong voice about the programs and services offered
• Work with key stakeholders including the Children’s Centre team, local non-government agencies, family support agencies and members of the wider community to develop a range of programs, events and services relevant to local families and community strengths and needs
• Coordinate and participate in regional stakeholder networks and identify opportunities relevant to local context and families’ needs
• Provide connections for families and stakeholders within the community including: CaFHS, NDIS, local schools, kindergartens, Family Day Care, health care, non-government agencies, groups and events
• Gather and analyse population data in order to develop responses relevant to local context.

Community Development Coordinators work in partnership with the wider Safer Family Services team, local families, educators, allied health and other government and non-government agencies to ensure a timetable of programs are provided that are relevant, topical and responsive to each community context.

Programs and services delivered by Community Development Coordinators may include:

• Groups and programs about how to support healthy child development, such as:
  • attachment
  • early learning
  • song time, music and movement
  • the importance of connection and play.
• Opportunities for parents and caregivers to connect, share and celebrate their parenting journey
• Community events such as:
  • family days
  • community meals
  • school holiday programs
  • cultural events
  • coffee-and-chat.
• Short- and long-term regional projects such as:
  • Community Gardens
  • Cooking programs
  • Women’s and Men’s support groups.
• Workshops and seminars
• Personal development opportunities. These can help with:
  • skills development,
  • TAFE and SACE studies
  • volunteering
  • career pathways.
• Developing resources that are relevant and responsive to local families and communities. For example:
  • guides describing regional playgroup schedules and food services (Foodbank and OzHarvest)
  • ways to build a stronger and more resilient communities.