Aboriginal Child Protection Caseworker - New England

NSW Department of Communities and Justice; Tamworth; On-site; AUD 93,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible, autonomous work environment

Competitive pay and conditions

Training and development opportunities

Health & Wellbeing Programs

Job summary

NSW Department of Communities and Justice is seeking an Aboriginal Child Protection Caseworker to support families and communities across Armidale, Glen Innes, Inverell, Moree, Narrabri and Tamworth. The role prioritises safety, wellbeing and cultural connection for Aboriginal children and young people.

You will work with families in partnership with agencies, develop safety plans, and participate in court processes where required.

Qualifications

• 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.
• 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.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Skills

Verbal and written communication

Cultural sensitivity

Aboriginal community engagement

Education

Diploma or degree (preferred)

Job description

Aboriginal Child Protection Caseworker - New England

Locations: Armidale, Glen Innes, Inverell, Moree, Narrabri, Tamworth

Employment type: Ongoing Salary: $92,632 – $120,478 pa plus superannuation and annual leave loading

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

As an Identified role, this position is open only to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander persons. Where a position is identified, an applicant’s race is a genuine occupational qualification under the exception in Section 14(d) of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977.

There are two alternatives to confirming your Aboriginality, one of which must be uploaded to be considered for the role as follows. Either will be accepted: Confirmation of Aboriginality form OR Written confirmation from 2‑3 Aboriginal organisations within the community in which you live/work, which addresses the three criteria listed below:

• is of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent, and
• identifies as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person, and
• is accepted as such by the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community.

What we offer

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

Inclusion and Diversity

We continue to hire great people with a wide variety of skills, experience, and backgrounds. This includes people with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, women, people identifying as LGBTIQ+, culturally and linguistically diverse people, carers, and other diversity groups. To find out what DCJ are doing to build an inclusive and diverse workforce, visit Inclusion and diversity on the DCJ website.

Other Information

A talent pool may be created for future ongoing and temporary roles and is valid for a period of up to 18 months. For more information visit Applying for DCJ jobs on the DCJ website.

Thank you for your interest in this role. We look forward to receiving your application.

To keep up with recruitment opportunities at DCJ, follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/CareersatDCJ/

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