Intensive Family Preservation Caseworker
- Part-time position 24 hrs/wk
- Not for profit organisation
- Based in Lake Macquarie
Great opportunity to join The Canopy. We’re seeking a suitably qualified and experienced Family Caseworker to work in our Intensive Family Preservation Program funded by the NSW Department of Communities and Justice.
Family preservation services help to keep families safely together forming a critical part of the NSW statutory child protection response. The primary outcome of the Intensive Family Preservation Program is to keep children and young people safe within their family through provision of intensive casework support and interventions.
The Role
The primary purpose of this specialised role is to provide intensive casework support to strengthen the functioning of families with children at risk of significant harm and subsequent imminent risk of placement in Out of Home Care. It involves supporting these families through provision of specialised intensive casework practice to bring about positive change for children and keep them safe. Support will be goal directed, with a view to achieving definable and measurable improvements in parental strengths, attitudes, behaviour, values, skills, knowledge and ability.
Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to: –
- Provide intensive casework support;
- Provide in-home crisis intervention;
- Provide practical assistance;
- Provide counselling;
- Provide skill development.
About You – Selection Criteria
- Degree in Social Work, Psychology or relevant tertiary qualifications.
- Significant experience working with children and their families in a child protection context.
- Extensive case work experience and skills, including the ability to draw from a broad range of intervention strategies.
- Demonstrated experience in working with families with multiple, complex needs that may be experiencing acute crisis.
- Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with families and other services.
- High level written and oral communication skills, especially in report writing.
- The flexibility to work as a highly effective team member as well as independently.
- Demonstrated computer skills, particularly Microsoft Office and client management systems.
- Demonstrated knowledge and commitment to confidentiality, Child Protection and WHS legislation.
- Current driver’s licence and access to a reliable, comprehensively insured vehicle.
- Possess current Working with Children Check;
- Possess a National Criminal History Police clearance.
- Possess COVID-19 Certificate or willingness to adhere to any future vaccination requirements mandated by NSW Health, which The Canopy may be required to adhere to.
- Willingness to participate on Family Work Team client ‘on call’ after hours support phone service.
About The Canopy
The Canopy is a non-profit organisation. Our Mission is “To support children, families, and individuals in being safe and connected in our communities”. We provide a range of services for families and children spanning the full-service continuum of early intervention to intensive family preservation. We also support the well-being of the community through our management and operation of multipurpose community centres and the Maryland and Jesmond Neighbourhood Centres. The Canopy has a reputation as a great place to work with an inclusive and supportive Organisational culture for its staff and volunteers.
Remuneration
Salary and employment conditions are in accordance with the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award 2010. There is the option to increase take home pay through our Not for Profit Salary Sacrifice program.
Apply now
Interested and meet the selection criteria, then we would be keen to hear from you.
Please submit a copy of your CV/resume, cover letter and written responses addressing each item listed in the selection criteria. For further information, or to submit an application, please contact Lisa Standen, Finance and Administration Manager, The Canopy on 02 4908 1140 or email [email protected] .
Applications will close 9am on Monday, 6th November 2023.