Case Manager - Foster Care

Berry Street; Greater Shepparton; On-site; AUD 84,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary packaging

Professional development & supervision

Employee Assistance Program

Wellbeing supports

Supportive trauma-informed team

Job summary

Berry Street in Shepparton is seeking a Foster Care Case Manager to provide case management and care coordination for children and young people in foster care, guiding safety, wellbeing and development. You will work closely with children, carers and key agencies to implement trauma-informed plans.

You will collaborate with families, Child Protection, schools and health services; develop and review case plans; and support carers to establish safe, nurturing placements under a Therapeutic Foster

Qualifications

• Experience in case management, foster care, child and family services or youth work.
• Understanding of trauma, attachment, grief and loss and child development.
• Experience supporting children and young people with complex needs.
• Strong assessment, risk management and safety planning skills.
• Ability to develop and review case plans and coordinate Care Team meetings.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including case notes and reports.

Responsibilities

• Provide case management and care coordination for children and young people in foster care.
• Develop, implement and review child-centred trauma-informed case plans.
• Coordinate Care Team meetings and ensure children's views inform decisions.
• Support foster carers to build safe, therapeutic relationships and stable placements.
• Work with families, Child Protection, schools and health professionals.

Job description

For over 240 years combined, Berry Street and Yooralla have been at the forefront of supporting Australians with a disability and those experiencing poverty, violence and abuse. Now, as one unified organisation, we bring together unparalleled expertise and a shared commitment to empowering individuals and families to thrive, while upholding and championing their human rights. We believe in a future where everyone has the opportunity to live the fulfilling life they choose for themselves, free from the impacts of trauma, violence, and abuse, achieved safely and with dignity.

• Shepparton location on Yorta Yorta Country
• Parental Leave Fixed term until October 2027, full-time or part-time at 0.8 FTE (4 days per week) negotiable
• $105K p.a. pro rata + superannuation + salary packaging

The Opportunity

Make a meaningful difference in the lives of children and young people in foster care.

As a Foster Care Case Manager, you will provide case management and care coordination for children and young people in foster care, helping to promote their safety, wellbeing, stability and development.

You will work closely with children, young people and their foster carers, providing ongoing guidance and practical support while coordinating the services and relationships around each placement. This includes working collaboratively with families, Child Protection, schools, therapeutic services, health providers and other key stakeholders.

A key part of the role is developing, implementing and reviewing child-centred and trauma-informed case plans, coordinating Care Team meetings and ensuring the views and experiences of children and young people inform decision-making.

You will also support foster carers to build strong, therapeutically informed relationships with the children in their care and help establish and maintain placements that provide safety, connection and stability.

Berry Street also provides a Therapeutic Foster Care model for children and young people with more complex needs, offering enhanced therapeutic support and additional training for carers.

About You

You are a thoughtful and experienced practitioner who is passionate about improving outcomes for children and young people in out-of-home care.

You are comfortable working in a complex service environment and can build strong, respectful relationships with children, young people, carers and professional networks.

You will bring:

• Experience in case management, foster care, child and family services, youth work or a related field.
• A sound understanding of trauma, attachment, grief and loss and child development.
• Experience supporting children and young people with complex needs.
• Strong assessment, risk management and safety planning skills.
• The ability to develop and review case plans and coordinate Care Team meetings.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including case notes, reports and statutory documentation.
• Confidence working collaboratively with foster carers, families, Child Protection and other key stakeholders.
• The ability to manage competing priorities and respond effectively in complex situations.
• An understanding of the unique role of volunteer foster carers and the support they require to provide safe and nurturing care.

Previous experience in statutory case management or out-of-home care will be highly regarded.

Qualifications

You will hold either:

• A Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Youth Work, Welfare, Community Services or a related discipline, or
• A Diploma qualification with relevant experience.

A current Working with Children Check and driver's licence are also required.

Berry Street Benefits

• Salary packaging up to $15,900 p.a. plus meals and entertainment benefits.
• Ongoing professional development and reflective supervision.
• Employee Assistance Program and wellbeing supports.
• A supportive, trauma-informed team environment.
• The opportunity to contribute directly to safer and more stable outcomes for children and young people.

We believe in diversity, inclusion and equality and are committed to ensuring that our workplaces are a reflection of the Victorian community. We recognise the benefits that diversity and inclusion brings, and in turn encourage talented people from all backgrounds, abilities and identities to apply to our vacancies.

We encourage applications from people with lived experience of disability. You'll receive adjustments and support throughout the whole process - from the application stage to starting in the workplace. If you require the position description in a different format or any accommodation or assistance during the application and interview stages please contact the person listed on the ad or alternatively email [e-mail] or call 9421 9392.

Berry Street Yooralla is committed to being a child safe, child friendly and child empowering organisation. In everything we do we seek to protect children. We are committed to the cultural safety of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children; children from culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds; children with a disability; children who identify as LGBTIQA+. We aim to ensure every individual is treated with dignity and respect regardless of their cultural background, ability, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, spirituality or religion.

Please Note; the successful applicant will be subject to comprehensive reference and background checking prior to employment, including a NDIS Screening Check, Working with Children Check and National and International Police check (if required) and NDIS training.