Role Details

The CFSN Coordinator will build strong networks with key service providers and will consult with relevant staff across Department of Human Services (DHS), Department for Education (EDU), SA Health, including birthing hospitals and Social Work Departments, and Child and Family Health Services (CaFHS), Department for Child Protection (DCP), South Australian Housing Authority (SAHA) and South Australia Police (SAPOL). The CFSN Coordinator will promote and develop strong partnerships within key government and non-government support servicing families in their Region to identify and implement responses to mitigate child protection risk for vulnerable children and their families.

The CFSN Coordinator will coordinate regular meetings to provide an opportunity for local agency partners to contribute to the overall planning for families where risk has been identified and to agree upon a lead agency to provide a case management role for the family. This process will help to facilitate the coordination of the most appropriate services and to ensure that intervention can commence at the earliest possible time.

Key outcomes and accountabilities:

1. Coordinate the service response in partnership with relevant government and non-government services required for very high risk complex families with unborn children, infants and children up to the age of 18 years including triaging referrals identifying priority families, convening CFSN multiagency meetings, preparing all the documents and required for each meeting, producing the multiagency assessment documentation (ISBAR assessment), identifying the most appropriate lead agency for providing a case management role and coordinated cross-agency care planning for identified cases to complement, rather than duplicate service responses to families. Key outcomes and accountabilities:
2. Develop a local community response to child safety and wellbeing matters, including collaborating with community partners to identify service gaps, vulnerable populations and determine and implement joint solutions.
3. Plan and deliver ongoing training that meets the needs of all staff involved in this complex case work and facilitate regular opportunities for staff across Safer Family Services and the broader Child and Family Support System, to meet and reflect on their practice, share ideas and develop future skills and knowledge.
4. Coordinate joint casework and group work where a high level of expertise is required for complex cases, support co-work with key workers and coordinate case conferencing with agencies.
5. Provide culturally relevant family focussed restorative practice interventions that are strength based and informed by both evidence base and practice wisdom and are developed in partnership with families – ensure families are actively engaged in the development of goals and strategies that are relevant to their desired outcomes.
6. Lead the assessment of draft and negotiating the mediation of risk to children by communicating effectively and efficiently with the Program or Service leads in relation to issues of escalation of care.
7. Managing client files and documentation in accordance with Department guidelines, policies and practices, maintain high quality case notes and recording, and undertake regular case reviews and file audits.

Note: Any other responsibilities in line with the classification level of the role as assigned by Line Manager and/or the Department. The responsibilities as specified above may be altered in accordance with the changing requirements of the role.

Special Conditions

• National Police Check required.
• Employment-related Screening Check required.
• Some interstate and intrastate travel may be required.
• Must hold a current Australian issued driver’s licence (equivalent to minimum class C).
• Covid -19 – will be required to be up to date on their COVID-19 vaccination status prior to engagement with DHS, unless it would be medically unsafe for the employee to do so.

Essential Qualifications:

• An appropriate Social Work qualification from a recognised tertiary institution giving eligibility for full membership with the Australian Association of Social Workers; or
• An appropriate degree or equivalent qualification and general registration with the Psychology Board of Australia. Registration must be obtained prior to commencement in the role.
• Persons of Australian Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent, who have the appropriate background and skills but do not have the essential qualification, may apply for and be engaged/assigned to the role of Social Worker and will be entitled to apply for any Allied Health Professional roles requiring a qualification in Social Work within the Department Human Services.

The South Australian public sector promotes diversity and flexible ways of working, including part-time. Applicants are encouraged to discuss the flexible working arrangements for this role.

About the Business

Community and Family Services supports vulnerable people and families to participate in social and economic life and build stronger communities. This division comprises three key areas:

Safer Family Services (SFS) provides a wide range of intensive family support services to children, young people and families experiencing a high risk of statutory intervention from the child protection or youth justice systems. Services also include family support, community development and parenting and youth programs.

The Office for Women works across government and the community towards achieving gender equity and positive change for women in South Australia by developing policy and advising on issues affecting women to improve their safety, wellbeing and economic security. The office also oversees the Women’s Information Service to support women over the phone, online and in person, as well as regional safety hubs across the state

Communities and Justice works towards building community safety and wellbeing by providing support and services to children, young people and families in the youth justice system, building the capacity of communities through community development projects and working in partnership with the community services sector to respond to people with complex and exceptional needs.

Contact Us
Enquiries to Kathryn Ware
0409586175
[email protected]

Application Instructions

Resume and Cover Letter

You are required to submit a cover letter, up to a maximum of two pages, addressing how your skills and experience align with the role specific capabilities and attach your current resume via the online application form. For more information about applying, refer to our Job Application Guide

Screening Checks

If you are new to the department and are invited to an interview, you will be required to produce a National Police Check, which has been issued within six months of your application for the role. National Police Checks can be applied for via the South Australia Police or through an Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission accredited body.

If the role you are applying for also requires an Employment-related Screening Check, you will be required to undergo such assessment as is advised by DHS, including periodic assessment during your employment.

DHS is committed to creating an inclusive workplace and providing equitable services to all South Australians. This ensures that all people feel welcome to work with us and access our services, including people identifying as Aboriginal, living with disability, LGBTIQA+, youth, mature age, and from different ethnic, linguistic, religious and cultural backgrounds.