Caseworker – HCEA Strategy Unit

• Location – NSW Statewide (flexible locations, including positions based at 6 Parramatta Square)
• Employment type – Ongoing Vacancies
• Clerk Grade 4/7 – $83,957– $109,194pa plus superannuation

The Department of Communities and Justice acknowledges lived experience and how it contributes to the valuable work we do with the community.

We strongly encourage and support applications from people who are of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait islander descent. While all applications are welcome, once we have determined through merit-based assessment which candidates meet the pre-established standards of the role, we will select the candidate who is also of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait islander descent.

About the role

The Carer and Permanency Assessment Team is a newly created team within the HCEA Strategy Unit, as is the Recruitment, Authorisation and Carer support team.

The HCEA Strategy Unit is made up of multiple teams who work together to achieve a reduction of the number of children and young people in HCEAs, scrutinise and reduce the costs associated with these arrangements and reduce the number of vacancies across the funded service system.

In addition, the project teams are working to increase placement supply and implement strategies to achieve stability within current out of home care (OOHC) placements.

Your role

One of the key principles guiding out-of-home care in NSW is that children’s safety and wellbeing benefit from stable, permanent placements.

As Caseworker you will part of a dedicated team that undertakes and completes high quality and culturally responsive carer placement assessments and permanency assessments for children and young people in OOHC.

The team will provide high quality assessments about the quality of relationships a child is developing with their caregiver, family and culture to support decisions about children’s safety wellbeing and permanency.

These assessments will include carer authorisations, re-authorisations, and adoption and guardianship assessments.

Casework positions will be located across the state to support state-wide service provision for children and young people, carers and families.

A small team will also be involved in the assessment, authorisation and support of carer applicants in the general pool of carers.

What you’ll do

• Engage with children, young people, families and carers as part of assessment processes
• Provide high quality assessments about the quality of relationships a child is developing with their caregiver , family and culture to support decisions about children’s safety wellbeing and permanency
• Undertake carer placement assessments including carer authorisation and re-authorisation.
• Undertake permanency assessments, including guardianship and adoption assessments.
• Complete high quality and culturally responsive assessment reports that meet the needs of a variety of stakeholders.
• Work closely with district staff to ensure information sharing and shared understanding of assessment expectations
• Undertake probity checks, annual reviews and other work that is associated with children, their carers and carer support.
• Carer support work for generalist foster carers

Additional information

Due to the nature of the assessment work and carer support work, and the necessity to meet the needs of stakeholders, some after-hours and weekend work may be required.

Some travel may also be required, depending upon service demand across the state.

What we’re looking for

We are looking for caseworkers who:

• Have a strong knowledge and understanding of the child protection and OOHC system
• Demonstrated experience in clear insightful evidence based work, court reports
• Experience in achieving stability and permanency (relational, cultural and, physical)
• Demonstrated ability to build constructive relationships with parents family and carers
• Are experienced in completing high quality written assessments,
• Have experience in applying best practice casework with children, young people, families and carers.
• Can work flexible hours, with afterhours and weekend work being required at times
• Can travel if required.

Completion of the Caseworker Development Program (CDP) is preferred.

Training or experience in use of assessment tools Step-by-Step and Winangay is preferred but not required.

In the absence of CDP completion, Step-by-Step and/or Winangay is highly desirable.

Download the role description.

If you are viewing this ad in Seek and wish to apply via their portal, you will be required to either set up a profile or login via your existing Seek account.

To apply directly via the DCJ Careers site click here. Search for the job and click the ‘Apply now’ button.

We focus on hiring people who share our commitment and goals of inclusion, collaboration, adaptability, courage and integrity. If you meet the essential requirements and the role resonates with you, please apply – you do not need to meet every desired requirement for us to want to talk to you.

What’s in it for you? 

As Australia’s top public sector employer, we offer competitive benefits and opportunities including:

• Rewarding salary from $83,957 to $109,194pa plus superannuation and annual leave loading
• Opportunities to work flexibly.
• 17 weeks of industry leading training in the Caseworker Development Program
• Customised career development and support for your personal and professional growth
• Generous leave entitlements including flex leave.
• Positive culture for wellness including Fitness Passport, tailored health app and mental health support.

Want more information?  Visit our website to see more information on Working for us.

We do work that really matters

Working for the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) provides lots of opportunities to make a real difference. We collaborate with other agencies and community partners, to improve lives and realise the potential of children, adults, families and communities. We’re focused on breaking, rather than managing, disadvantage. It’s work that really matters.

Are you ready to join us?

Click apply, attach a cover letter (maximum 2 pages) outlining how you meet the requirements of the role as well as an up-to-date résumé (maximum 5 pages).

Applications close Monday 6th January 2025 at 11:59pm AEDT

Got a question?

For more information about the role or what it’s like to work for DCJ, please contact the hiring manager Gemma Millar on 0474 768 200 or at gemma.millar@dcj.nsw.gov.au

If you’ve got a question about applying or would benefit from an adjustment in the recruitment process to help you perform at your best (including an alternate method submission of the application), please call Vanessa Tran on (02) 9765 5049 or via vanessa.tran@dcj.nsw.gov.au.

Visit Recruitment adjustments on the DCJ website to learn more.

Inclusion and Diversity lies at the heart of how we recruit

We continue to hire great people with a wide variety of skills, experience and backgrounds. This includes people with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, women, people identifying as LGBTIQ+, culturally and linguistically diverse people, carers and other diversity groups.

To find out what DCJ are doing to build an inclusive and diverse workforce, visit Inclusion and diversity on the DCJ website.

Other Information

A talent pool may be created for future ongoing and temporary roles and is valid for a period of up to 18 months.

For more information and advice on applying for roles at DCJ, visit Careers for Aboriginal people.

Thank you for your interest in this role. We look forward to receiving your application.

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