Youth Justice Key Worker

• 1 x Temporary, Full time up to 30 June 2025
• Location: St Marys
• Clerk Grade 6/7, Salary ($100,011 – $109,194 pa), plus employer’s contribution to superannuation and annual leave loading

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.

The role

Would you like to participate in an innovative multiagency team? The Whole of Government Initiatives Team in Youth Justice NSW works alongside local communities with the aim to empower young people to build safer, brighter futures by preventing and reducing violence in their lives and in their communities.

The role works alongside community stakeholders, government, and non-government agencies to ensure a multiagency approach to prevent youth violence by focusing on the underlying causes of violence. In this role you will provide voluntary, flexible, and responsive early intervention to young people (8-14 years) at risk of using violence, who are at risk of coming to the attention of Youth Justice system.

The role will use a relationship focused, trauma informed, strength-based and culturally embedded approach; to build trust and safety with children/young people and their families, to assist to develop protective networks around families to transform life outcomes.

What you’ll do

As a Key Worker, you will:

• Work directly in support of children, young people, and their families on an outreach basis across the Nepean Police Area Command (including Penrith, St Marys, Warragamba and surrounds).
• Provide wrap around case management and support to families who have experienced domestic and family violence, where children and young people are identified as at risk of educational disengagement.
• Work in strong partnership with the broader multiagency team, community, and partner stakeholders (Including Dept of Communities and Justice, Education, NSW Health, NSW Police, Aboriginal Legal Services and Legal Aid); finding new, innovative and creative ways to advocate for children and families to ensure services are delivered based on child and family rather than system needs.
• Undertake a child and family needs assessment and make recommendations as to immediate and ongoing needs and supports required; to minimise the risk of future violence or criminal justice system contact.
• Develop child and family case plans, in partnership with families.
• Participate in local interagency meetings, including assisting the broader approach to continue the consultation and scoping of a new interagency forum specifically for 8–14-year-olds in need of community supports.
• Demonstrate a strong ethical framework for practice; particularly in social justice, empowerment, youth, and family led approaches, respect, safety and wellbeing.
• Maintain accurate and up to date child and family records, and maintain a data sheet; which will assist in evaluation of the approach.

Desired skills

• Experience providing direct case management support to children and families who have experienced domestic and family violence.
• Experience working with Aboriginal children, young people, families and communities. Demonstrated cultural competence and ability to work in a cultural and trauma informed framework.
• Experience working with multicultural children, young people, families and communities; and an understanding of the needs of marginalised cultural groups within the Nepean.

What we’re looking for

• Relevant tertiary qualifications (diploma or higher) in social work, welfare, psychology, criminology, education or related field or equivalent experience.
• Current NSW Driver’s Licence
• Appointments are subject to reference checks; including the following checks/ clearances:
• Working with Children Check clearance in accordance with the Child Protection (Working with Children) Act 2012.
• National Criminal History Record Check in accordance with the Disability Inclusion Act 2014

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 We Offer

We offer a variety of benefits, including:

• A challenging and rewarding career
• Flexible, autonomous work environment
• Competitive pay and conditions
• Training and development opportunities to build and maintain capabilities
• Health & Wellbeing and Employee Assistance Programs.

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.

Apply now and join Australia’s top public sector employer where we will support you and provide an exciting and flexible working environment!

Are you ready to join us?

Click apply and attach an up-to-date resume (maximum five pages) and a cover letter (maximum two pages) addressing the following two targeted questions, with consideration to the role capability framework:

1. The service system can be challenging to navigate, how do you engage with internal and external stakeholders to overcome challenges and/or different perspectives?
2. Share an example of a time when you’ve assisted children/young people to obtain a positive goal. What was your role, what did you do and what was the outcome?

Applications close Tuesday, 12 November 2024 at 11:59pm AEDT.

Got a question?

For more information about the role, please contact the hiring manager Lyndsay Cannell on 0472 828 297 or at lyndsay.cannell@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 contact Steve Mifsud on 02 9765 4094 or at steve.mifsud@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

For more information visit Your recruitment journey on the DCJ website.

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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