Caseworker

Queensland Government; Townsville City; On-site; AUD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Queensland Government invites applications for a Caseworker in Youth Justice. You will conduct risk assessments, reviews, intakes for new admissions to detention, and prepare reports for the Children's Court to support best practice outcomes.

You will work in a statutory environment, emphasising cultural capability, collaboration with stakeholders, and ongoing professional development to reduce re-offending and safeguard young people and the community.

Qualifications

• It is a requirement to have a tertiary degree such as social work, behavioural science, social science or criminology.
• Completion of at least six subjects covering four of seven focus areas: communication, assessment/intervention with youth, case management, theoretical frameworks, and knowledge of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrate cultural capability to support inclusive culture in line with the Human Rights Act 2019.
• Work within a statutory environment to monitor compliance with court orders and intervene to reduce re-offending.
• Use culturally appropriate assessment and intervention skills, processes and programs including restorative justice.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to achieve positive outcomes for victims, young offenders, families and the community.
• Prepare and present verbal and written reports to the Children's Court and conduct pre/post court interviews.
• Undertake record keeping and information management to ensure accountability.
• Participate in ongoing professional development, training, supervision and accreditation.

Skills

Cultural capability

Risk assessment

Case management

Report writing

Court reports

Stakeholder collaboration

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in a related field

Other relevant degree

Job description

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

The Casework team consists of Caseworkers and Court Support Officers. Caseworkers are Statutory Officers who work within the Youth Justice Act. Some of their tasks are aligned with this and includes risk assessments (risk of reoffending), case reviews, intakes (for new admissions to detention) and referrals (to interventions that address risks to reoffending).

Other responsibilities align with the needs of the Detention Centre which includes suicide risk assessments and follow-up of behavioural concerns and incidents.

Please refer to role profile for full details.

Key Responsibilities

As a Caseworker, you will specifically:

• 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.
• 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.

What We Are Looking For

We will assess your suitability for this role by looking at what you've done previously- the knowledge, skills and experience you've built, your potential for development, and your personal qualities. Every staff member is expected to role model leadership behaviours. This role requires the leadership capabilities of a team leader/individual contributor/program leader/executive/chief executive profile as outlined in the Leadership competencies for Queensland booklet.

Leadership capability level for this position: Individual Contributor

Vision: Leads strategically. Thinks critically and acts on the broader purpose of the system

Results: Builds enduring relationships. Builds and sustains relationships to enable the collaborative delivery of customer-focused outcomes

Accountability: Demonstrates sound governance. Maintains a high standard of practice through governance and risk management

Mandatory Qualifications

It is a requirement of this role to have possession of a tertiary degree relevant to the role such as social work, behavioural science or social science, criminology, or other recognised degree.

• The department recognises that people who have tertiary degrees other than those listed above, may possess a skill set that is appropriate for this role. The applicant needs to demonstrate completion of a minimum of six (6) subjects that cover at least four of the following seven areas:
  • Effective practice at micro and macro levels of communication/ engagement skills, counselling.
  • Assessment and intervention skills in working with young people, families and communities (including subjects specific to working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities).
  • Working within a case management framework.
  • Theoretical frameworks i.e., strengths-based practice, empowerment, systems, crisis intervention, social development, child development, family dynamics.
  • Knowledge of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and the issues related to their over-representation in the youth justice

Job Ad Reference: QLD/697724/26

Closing Date: Friday, 13th August 2027

Occupational group Psychology, Counselling & Social Work