Uniting Country SA is a not-for-profit social and community services organisation operating in country South Australia. We provide services to families, single adults and children, who are experiencing difficulties such as domestic violence, disability and mental health issues, financial distress, homelessness, and family breakdown in country SA. With more than 55 services provided from 27 sites, we strive to improve our local communities.

Headquartered in Port Pirie, we are fully committed to servicing the needs of country people. We are the local experts making a difference in your community. With over 100 years of experience servicing regional communities, Uniting Country SA is dedicated to Caring for Country People.

Join Us

By joining our team, you have an opportunity to improve the possibilities for vulnerable South Australians in country communities.

Working for us, you will be part of an organisation that values its people, provides exciting challenges and excellent rewards. 

Compensation and Benefits

We ensure our staff are well supported, celebrated and compensated through:

• Competitive remuneration.
• Salary packaging, which can add up to $15,900 in tax-free pay per year, superannuation, leave loading and access to a fleet vehicle.
• An Employee Assistance Program, a free and confidential counselling service.
• Comprehensive induction and training, professional development and study leave.
• Flexible, family friendly environment.

Uniting Country SA values people who respect the diversity of our clients.  We are an equal opportunity employer committed to providing a child safe environment and a workplace which engages in inclusive practice with people irrespective of culture, ethnicity, lifestyle choice, faith, sexual orientation and gender identity.  People who identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and people living with disability are encouraged to apply for any of our advertised vacancies.

Further information about Uniting Country SA can be obtained from www.ucsa.org.au [link removed]

Position Location: Mid North Education Centre – Port Pirie

Position Status: Part Time – 18 hours per week – Contract to 16/12/2022

Closing Date for Applications: 04/11/2022

The National School Chaplaincy Program aims to support the emotional wellbeing of students through the provision of pastoral care services and strategies that support the emotional wellbeing of the broader school community. It is a non-religious, wellbeing focused program that works as part of the school team.

As the Pastoral Care Worker, you will work as part of the school team to support and guide students to foster resilience and wellbeing. You will support the Student Counsellor or Wellbeing Officer in developing and delivering supports that best meet the students and school community needs.

This may include:

• Providing individual support and advocacy to disengaged and/or disadvantaged students.
• Supporting teaching staff in the delivery of student focused support sessions i.e. group work, individual student mentoring and behavioural management.

Please view the Position Description [link removed] for further information on the duties and responsibilities of the role. 

You will:

• Build positive, empowering relationships with students who are at risk of disengaging.
• Increase student’s social and communication skills to encourage them to develop and maintain positive relationships.
• Develop activities or strategies that empower students and assist them in developing interests, skills, and an improved sense of achievement.

It is essential for you to have: 

• Current Australian Drivers Licence.
• Certificate lV (or above) in Youth Work or Pastoral Care or an equivalent qualification which must include competencies in ‘mental health’ and ‘making appropriate referrals’.
• Relevant experience, in youth work, referral and advocacy working with vulnerable children.
• Current DHS Working with Children Check.
• Current DECD Responding to Abuse and Neglect Certificate.

You may also need to be available for some out of hours work and travel between Uniting Country SA sites or interstate as required.

Our process requires you to provide a Resume, Cover Letter and a statement addressing the Duties and Responsibilities contained within the Position Description.  You will need to put this information in three (3) separate documents and upload each document.  

Refer to the Uniting Country SA Guide to Applying for more information.

All offers of employment are subject to the screening and assessment requirements of the Children and Young People (Safety) Act 2017 and any other legislation that interacts with it.

Please contact Robyn Sherry on 0439 687 244 for any questions concerning this position.

Please contact Donna Slade, Team Leader – People and Culture on 0419 222 915 for enquiries regarding the application process.