THE OPPORTUNITY

CatholicCare are seeking a Caseworker to join their team in Taree. This role will be a permanent part time position with contracted hours of 22.5 hours per week.

This role will provide a holistic assessment to improve outcomes for adults and children affected by domestic violence. The successful candidate will have a sound understanding and be sensitive to cultural differences, social complexities and the uniqueness of every child and adult. This role will maintain a focus on children, young people and adults in situations where there is a repeated cycle of violence and abuse.

Join Us and Make a Difference to the Community 

CatholicCare Social Services Hunter-Manning is a not-for-profit organisation and an agency of the Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle. We offer whole-of-community support and empowerment options to those in need regardless of religion, age, gender, physical and intellectual capacity, or ethnicity.

We work together with local communities to build a stronger, fairer, and kinder society that values children, young people, families and individuals.

Benefits of Working With Us

• Directly contribute to improving the lives of many in the community;
• Receive an attractive salary with salary packaging available;
• Receive up to 3 additional days paid leave, between the Christmas and New Year period annually;
• Paid parental leave;
• Flexible working arrangements;
• Ongoing training and development opportunities;
• A great friendly environment of dedicated and passionate co-workers;
• Discounted gym membership through Fitness Passport.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

CatholicCare’s Integrated domestic and family violence service (IDFVS), Renewing Pathways (RP) program the primary outcome is to improve outcomes for adults and children affected by domestic and family violence.

CatholicCare’s Renewing Pathways Caseworker is the primary caseworker responsible for the day-to-day case management and case work, working directly with children, young people, and adults to promote change and improve their social, emotional, health and educational outcomes.
Caseworkers are responsible for holistic assessment, purposeful case planning and trauma-informed casework in partnership with children, young people, adults, and significant people, to develop strengths-based, person centred case plans.

Caseworkers are required to work in partnership with the NSW Department of Communities and Justice, (DCJ) and other agencies in the universal service system to improve evidence-based casework, share decision-making risk, and promote dignity in service delivery.

Caseworkers are to provide community awareness and education activities aimed at lowering community tolerance of domestic and family violence.

EXPERIENCE/CRITERIA

• A commitment to work within the Mission, Vision and Values of CatholicCare
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• The ability to work as part of a team and independently in the provision of proactive and responsive casework
• A working knowledge of the legislation, policies, and standards relevant to child protection, and child safe organisations
• Experience working with, or a demonstrated knowledge of cultural competence principles, relevant to engaging clients from diverse backgrounds, including First Nation people and those from a CALD background
• Demonstrated ability to undertake assessments and investigations to address safety, risk concerns for children, young people, and adults experiencing the cycle of domestic violence
• Ability to deliver accountable, collaborative and evidence-based casework that respects the culture and context of children, young people, adults, and community
• Demonstrated understanding of the cycle of domestic and family violence and the issues of power and control that underpin that cycle
• Ability to maintain timely, accurate and relevant client records for reporting and information sharing
• Contribute to continuous learning, professional networks, and relationships through the co-ordination of meetings and other information sharing activities
• A demonstrated commitment to work flexible hours to meet the needs of children, young people, and adults
• Significant experience in the provision of social services is desirable however applicants must be willing to complete formal training and obtain role specific training
• Ability to demonstrate and work within the key accountabilities and inherent requirement of this position detailed in Section 12

QUALIFICATIONS

• Tertiary qualifications, (or working toward a qualification) in a Social Work, Psychology, Social Science, Welfare, or related discipline with demonstrated commitment to ongoing professional development
• Current driver’s licence.
• Appointments are subject to reference checks and the following pre-employment checks: National Criminal History Record Check in accordance with the Disability Inclusion Act 2014 and Working with Children Check clearance in accordance with the Child Protection (Working with Children) Act 2012

To Apply

Please provide a current copy of your Resume and a Cover Letter which addresses the two criterion points below:

• Why you want this role and how it aligns with your career goals.
• Your qualifications and experience in a similar position.

Applications close 11.59pm on Wednesday 13 September 2023.

For more information about the role, please contact Nikki Reece – [email protected] or 0438 579 179.

Additional Information

The Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle is a child safe organisation, committed to the safeguarding of children and vulnerable persons and has zero-tolerance of any abuse. All employees are required to undergo a National Police Check and comply with our Safeguarding Framework Policy and Codes of Conduct.

This position has been determined as child related and the Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle will be verifying the successful applicant’s Working with Children Check for Paid Employment prior to commencing working in the position.  For more information, please visit the NSW Office of Children’s Guardian.

Applicants must be able to demonstrate an understanding of appropriate behaviours when engaging with children.

CatholicCare Social Services promotes the safety and wellbeing of children from culturally or linguistically diverse backgrounds and encourages applications from people from culturally or linguistically diverse background. 

CatholicCare Social Services promotes the safety and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and encourages applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.