Child and Youth Specialist Worker

• Full time position at 38 hours per week
• Parramatta and Cumberland LGA
• Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award (SCHADS) Crisis Accommodation Employee – Level 2, Pay Point 1
• Work within a shelter that follows best practice for trauma informed care
• Be supported by a network of sister shelters across NSW, with additional training on offer to support your professional development

Parramatta Women’s Shelter is a crisis accommodation service for women with dependent children, who are experiencing homelessness due to domestic violence, or other issues. 

The operation of the Child Support Program is a VITAL role in preserving children and young people’s needs, self-esteem and generally acting as an advocate on behalf of children and young people in the shelter. The Child and Youth Specialist Worker will be expected to create a trauma-informed, safe, supportive, and welcoming environment for children and young people as well as working with families with children and young people aged 0-18 years to promote the development of positive parent/child relationships by role modelling, education, and practical support. 

The Child and Youth Specialist Worker will be required to provide structured parenting programs comprising of short-term focused interventions designed to help parents improve their relationships with their child/ren. These programs will focus on developing parents’ skills in responding to children and young people’s needs and appropriately addressing challenging behaviors and emotional problems. They can be delivered either one on one, or in a group setting. Case plans will require the promotion of positive change and dynamic approaches to child and family wellbeing.

Essential criteria: 

• Minimum Cert IV in Community Services. 
• Tertiary qualification in Education will be looked upon favorably.
• Demonstrated experience within the community services sector in a case worker capacity, preferably in children and young people’s support. 
• Knowledge of the dynamics and impact of family violence and abuse and how best to support survivors, including the impacts of trauma on children and young people.
• Experience in maintaining individual case management plans for children and young people in collaboration with their parent in shelter.
• Support parents to develop safety plans for their children.
• Experience in developing a school holiday program.
• Working closely with childcare centers and schools to encourage school attendance and help to create positive experiences throughout their education.  
• An understanding of the health and safety requirements in providing services to children and young people.
• Excellent written and communication skills.
• Ability to use online case management systems.
• Current first aid certificate or capacity to acquire one before commencement.
• Current NSW Driver’s License.
• Working with Children Check.
• Police Check.
• The right to live and work in Australia.

We consider being a woman is a genuine occupational qualification for this position under section 31 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 (NSW) and sections 30 of the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (Cth).  

We seek a workforce that is as diverse as our society that will reflect the communities that we work in. We strongly encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and CALD women to apply.  

Please send a covering letter, addressing all essential criteria, plus your CV to [email protected]