Caseworker

Youth Justice and Victim Support; Mackay Regional; On-site; AUD 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Youth Justice and Victim Support – Mackay QLD is seeking a Caseworker to manage monitoring of youth offenders under court orders and provide interventions designed to reduce re-offending. The role requires a tertiary degree in a relevant field, an unrestricted driver’s licence, and a Blue Card linked to the organisation.

The position may involve travel within the Mackay region, possible overnight stays, and rostered court appearances on Saturdays and public holidays, with pay governed by the

Qualifications

• Tertiary degree in a field related to youth justice or social services.
• Unrestricted C-class driver’s licence is mandatory.
• Blue Card linked to the organisation prior to starting (Blue Card Services guidance).
• Travel within the Mackay region for site visits may be required, including overnight stays.
• Rostered attendance at Children’s Court on Saturdays/public holidays may occur; remuneration governed by Awards.

Responsibilities

• Monitor and intervene to address factors that place young offenders at risk of re-offending, within a statutory environment.
• Use culturally appropriate, collaborative and evidence-based assessment and intervention methods, including restorative justice activities.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to achieve positive outcomes for victims and young offenders and their families.
• Prepare and present verbal and written reports to the Children’s Court on behalf of the Chief Executive; conduct pre/post court interviews and prepare pre-sentence affidavits and documents.
• Maintain accurate record-keeping and information management for accountability.
• Engage in ongoing professional development, training, supervision, and accreditation as appropriate.
• Demonstrate cultural capability and contribute to an inclusive culture aligned with the Human Rights Act 2019 and partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

Education

Tertiary degree relevant to the role (social work, behavioural science, social science, criminology)

Job description

Youth Justice and Victim Support – Mackay QLD

Caseworkers provide professional intervention to young offenders subject to youth justice intervention, with the aim of reducing re-offending.

Mandatory requirements:

• Possession of a tertiary degree relevant to the role such as social work, behavioural science or social science, criminology, or other recognised degree. [See the mandatory qualifications information section in the role profile regarding other recognised degrees].
• Drivers' license: it is a mandatory requirement for the occupant of this position to hold an unrestricted “C” Class driver's licence. Officers are required to drive government vehicles as a part of their day-to-day work.
• This role is designated as Regulated employment as the position provides support services to children and young people and therefore will require a valid Blue Card to be linked with the organisation prior to starting. Please refer to the Blue Card Services website (http://www.bluecard.qld.gov.au/) for further information.
• While the position is based in Mackay travel within the region for site visits and to other regional/departmental offices may be required in this role. This may include overnight stays.
• At times Caseworkers are required to be available to be rostered to attend Children's Courts convened on Saturdays and public holidays. Remuneration, or otherwise, for work performed outside the spread of hours will be determined with the applicable Awards provision.
• Where possible, applicants are required to provide a referee who is an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person who can attest to the applicant's background, knowledge, skills and experience as they relate to the cultural capabilities.

As Caseworker, you will specifically:

• Work effectively within a statutory environment to manage the dual roles of monitoring young offenders' compliance with court orders and intervening to address issues that place them at risk of re-offending.
• Proactively work to reduce re-offending using culturally appropriate, collaborative and evidence-based assessment and intervention skills, processes and programs including restorative justice activities.
• Work collaboratively as part of a team including a range of internal and external stakeholders, to achieve positive outcomes for victims, young offenders, their families, and the community.
• Prepare and present verbal and written reports to the Children's Court on behalf of the Chief Executive. Conduct pre and post court interviews, prepare quality pre-sentence reports, affidavits, and other relevant documentation to support best practice outcomes for young people in the justice system.
• Undertake record keeping and information management tasks to ensure accountability.
• Actively participate in a range of continuing professional development activities to continuously improve your ability to contribute to organisational goals, including training, supervision, and relevant accreditation.
• Demonstrate cultural capability and/or a commitment to developing cultural capability to ensure an inclusive culture that aligns with the Human Rights Act 2019 and supports departmental programs and community partnerships aimed at preserving cultural connections for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Applications to remain current for 12 months.