Case Manager, OOHC. Full Time Permanent – Geelong

Life Without Barriers; Geelong; On-site; AUD 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary Sacrifice

Superannuation

Entertainment card

Monthly rostered day off

Tool of Trade vehicle

Job summary

Life Without Barriers in Geelong is seeking a Case Manager for Out of Home Care. The role focuses on creating and implementing case plans for children and young people with complex needs, in partnership with families, carers and government and community services.

You will work within an agreement framework to ensure safety, stability and wellbeing, while applying trauma-informed and culturally responsive practices across residential care settings.

Qualifications

• A recognised Degree qualification in Social Work, Social Sciences, Psychology, Nursing or Mental Health, or a recognised Diploma and working towards a degree.
• Proven experience in case management within child protection and developing case plans.
• Skilled in managing complex caseloads in high-pressure environments.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care and responses to pain-based behaviours.
• Culturally responsive practice with diverse communities.
• Proven experience building trusting relationships with children and young people.

Responsibilities

• Support children and young people with complex needs by creating and implementing case plans.
• Work with DFFH and other services to ensure alignment with case plans and directi ves.
• Engage in reflective practice, assessment, development, and reviews of case plans.
• Collaborate with care teams to meet health, development and wellbeing needs.
• Build positive developmental relationships with children, families and carers.
• Complete CARE and TCI training to guide practice.
• Address impacts of trauma and separation through outreach and residential care support.

Skills

Case management experience

Trauma-informed care

Culturally responsive practice

Communication skills

Building trusted relationships

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Degree in Social Work or related field

Job description

Case Manager, OOHC. Full Time Permanent – Geelong

At Life Without Barriers, we’re all about creating safe, supportive environments where children and young people can thrive.

Every day, we work closely with families, carers, and communities to help shape brighter futures. From supporting children and families to empowering people with disability, mental health, or those seeking refuge — we’re here to break down barriers and build better lives.

Role: Case Manager – Out of Home Care

Employment Type: Permanent Full Time

Location: Geelong

About the role

This is a challenging and rewarding opportunity for you to make a positive change in the lives of children and young people in Out of Home Care.

As a Case Manager in our out-of-home care model, you will support children and young people with complex needs by creating and implementing case plans that promote and align with their best interests in a residential care setting. You will work closely with the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH) and other key services to ensure that all support aligns with the case plans and court directives. In this role, you will play a crucial part in promoting quality practices and ensuring the safety, stability, and well-being of the children and young people in care.

• Work as part of the Care Team to address the impacts of abuse, neglect, and separation from families and complex trauma on children and young people in out-of-home care.
• Engage in reflective practice, assessment, development, implementation, monitoring, and case plan reviews to ensure young people's needs are met.
• Complete CARE and TCI training to ensure the framework and tools guide our work with children and young people in the service.
• Develop positive developmental relationships with children, young people, families, and carers, applying the CARE model's principles to build trust through visible interest and active engagement.
• Case management for children in out-of-home care living.
• Building strong relationships with children and young people through outreach visits.
• Collaborating with care teams to meet health, development, and well-being needs.

Skills & Experience

• A recognised Degree qualification in Social Work, Social Sciences, Psychology, Nursing or Mental Health, or a recognised Diploma in a related field and working towards a degree qualification.
• Proven experience in case management within child protection, including developing and implementing case plans.
• Skilled in managing complex caseloads and prioritising competing demands in high-pressure environments.
• Strong knowledge of trauma-informed care and effective responses to pain-based behaviours.
• Culturally responsive practice when working with individuals, families, and diverse communities.
• Proven experience building trusting relationships with children and young people, prioritising their best interests in case planning.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to engage stakeholders and produce high-quality written documentation.

Successful candidates will be required to clear probity checks, including National Criminal History Record Check, VIC Working with Children Check, and registration on the VIC Residential Carer Workers register (WCES)

• At Life Without Barriers, we prioritise a strong evidence-based culture and offer extensive professional development opportunities. Successful candidates will receive training in Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) and Children and Residential Experiences (CARE) from Cornell University.
• Work for one of Australia's largest social purpose organisations
• Be part of a team that truly makes a difference in young people's lives by providing the support they need to thrive.
• Competitive salary + Super + Salary Sacrifice up to $15,900 a year (increase your take-home pay) + $2,600 entertainment card!
• Monthly rostered day off (optional)
• Tool of Trade Vehicle with fuel card

About theOrganisation

Every day, Life Without Barriers provides support and care to children and young people, working collaboratively with families, carers, and communities to ensure they have the environment they deserve to grow. With a focus on ensuring safety and respect, this is an opportunity to make a positive and meaningful difference in these young lives and help pave a brighter future.

Life Without Barriers is a leading social purpose, not for profit organisation of 8,000 employees working in more than 500 communities across Australia. We support children, young people and families, people with disability, older people and people with mental illness. We work with people who are homeless, refugees, and asylum seekers.

We want to employ people who reflect the diversity of our clients to ensure we can support each client's individual needs and wants. We encourage people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander background and people with disability to apply.