Aboriginal Child Protection Caseworker - Mid North Coast

NSW Department of Communities and Justice; Rainbow Reach; On-site; AUD 89,934 - 116,969; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible, autonomous work environment

Health & Wellbeing Programs

Training and development opportunities

Job summary

NSW Department of Communities and Justice seeks an Aboriginal Child Protection Caseworker in Rainbow Reach, NSW. In this role, you'll support vulnerable families, conduct risk assessments, and work with other agencies. Successful applicants will ideally have relevant qualifications or significant experience in child services. You will also need a valid driver’s license and documented verification of Aboriginality. Offering supportive work conditions, competitive salary, and opportunities for training, this position is vital for family and community outcomes.

Qualifications

• At least two years’ experience working with vulnerable children, young people, and their families.
• Ability to build positive working relationships with the Aboriginal community.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Valid driver's licence.
• Paid working with children clearance number.
• Documented verification of Aboriginality.

Responsibilities

• Work sensitively and respectfully with parents, family members, children or young people.
• Engage in complex problem solving with other agencies.
• Walk alongside families to establish goals and assist through home visits.
• Develop safety plans and complete risk assessments.
• Manage cases involving high needs and high-risk clients.
• Be involved in court processes and attend court.
• Participate in supervision and Aboriginal cultural supervision.

Skills

Courage

Curiosity

Cultural strength

Education

Relevant diploma or degree qualification

Job description

Employment type

Ongoing

Salary

$89,934 – $116,969 pa plus superannuation and annual leave loading

Location

Coffs Harbour, Kempsey, Port Macquarie, Taree

Eligibility

This position is open to Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples only.

Your role

Working for the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) is about working in partnership with families and communities to thrive. We walk alongside families, children, and communities, working together with other agencies and partners to build on strengths and create lasting change. Our focus is on breaking cycles of disadvantage and supporting strong futures. This is work that truly matters. At DCJ, we believe families are the heart of our work and your cultural knowledge would be invaluable to this work. Our priority is always the safety, wellbeing, and cultural connection of children and young people. We know that when we have more Aboriginal caseworkers, our kids are more likely to grow up strong, safe, and connected to mob.

What You’ll Do

• Work sensitively and respectfully with parents, family members, children or young people.
• Work in partnership with other agencies and engage in complex problem solving.
• Walk alongside families to set goals that build on their strengths, addressing safety and well‑being concerns, and provide appropriate assistance through home visits.
• Develop safety plans and complete risk assessments.
• Manage cases and situations including working with high needs and high‑risk clients and their families.
• Be involved in court processes, including the preparation of court documents and attending court.
• Participate in individual and group supervision.
• Participate in Aboriginal cultural supervision.

What We’re Looking For

To succeed as an Aboriginal Child Protection Caseworker, you bring courage, curiosity, and cultural strength. You can stand strong in challenging situations, listen deeply, and walk alongside families and communities with respect and integrity.

The Essential Requirements Include

• A relevant diploma or degree qualification is preferred.
• Applicants without a relevant qualification require at least two years’ experience working with vulnerable children, young people and their families.
• The ability to build positive working relationships with the Aboriginal community, supported by excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• A valid driver’s licence.
• A paid working with children clearance number.
• Documented verification of Aboriginality – confirming that you are an Aboriginal person of Aboriginal descent and that you identify as being Aboriginal.

Role Documentation

There are two alternatives to confirming your Aboriginality, one of which must be uploaded to be considered for the role. Either of the following may be accepted:

• Confirmation of Aboriginality form.
• Written confirmation from 2-3 Aboriginal organisations within the community in which you live/work, addressing the three criteria:
• is of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent.
• identifies as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person.
• is accepted as such by the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community.

What We Offer

• A challenging and rewarding career.
• Flexible, autonomous work environment.
• Competitive pay and conditions.
• Training and development opportunities to build and maintain capabilities.
• Health & Wellbeing and Employee Assistance Programs.

Equal Opportunity

To establish a well-balanced workforce, DCJ welcomes people with disability, women, people identifying as LGBTQI+, culturally and linguistically diverse people, carers, and other diversity groups, and we continue to have an inclusion focus.