CatholicCare are seeking a Caseworker to join their team in Cardiff. This will be a permanent full-time position within the Permanency Support Team that will apply best practice child development, trauma and attachment theory to case planning.

Join us and make a difference in 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 Permanency Support Program (PSP) focuses on achieving safety and permanency for vulnerable children and young people within a two-year (2) timeframe, by; promoting reunification with their parents, or by supporting an alternative legal pathway i.e., Guardianship or Open Adoption, or by providing long term care with Foster Carers. CatholicCare’s PSP Child & Family Caseworker is the primary caseworker responsible for the day-to-day case management and case work of children and young people found by the NSW Children’s Court to be in need of care and protection. They work directly with children, young people and families to promote change and improve their social, emotional, health and educational outcomes.

The Child & Family Caseworker works in partnership with; the Carer Support & Development Caseworker who has the primary responsibility for the day-to-day case management and casework of authorised carers, and with the Reunification Caseworker who has the primary responsibility for the day-to-day case management and casework of restoration and family action planning for change casework. Child & Family Caseworkers are responsible for holistic assessment, purposeful case planning and trauma-informed casework in partnership with children, young people, their parents, family, Foster Carers and significant people, to develop strengths-based, child and youth centred case plans. Child & Family 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.

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, statutory out-of-home-care, the permanency support program 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 and permanency concerns for children, young people, their family and Foster Carers
• Ability to deliver accountable, collaborative and evidence-based casework that respects the culture and context of children, young people, their family and community
• Sound understanding and ability to apply best practice child development, trauma and attachment theory to case planning
• 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 and On-Call After Hours to meet the needs of children, young people, their family and Foster carers
• 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 will be reviewed and shortlisted as they are received. For any further information about the role, please contact Kevin Grice: [email protected].

Applications close Wednesday 27 December 2023 at 11.59pm

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.