Caseworker - Sustaining Familes

Uniting; North Canberra; On-site; AUD 74,000 - 77,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

12% superannuation

Salary packaging options

Job summary

Uniting is hiring a Caseworker in Turner, ACT on a full-time fixed contract to December 2027. Base hourly rate $53.47 to $56.74, negotiable with experience and qualifications, plus 12% super and access to NFP salary packaging options.

You will work with families facing complex challenges, delivering trauma-informed, culturally responsive support to strengthen safety and stability for children and communities.

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualification in Social Work, Psychology, Human Services, Community Services, or related field.
• Experience in casework, case management, family preservation, child protection, or supporting vulnerable populations.
• Knowledge of child protection legislation, risk assessment, trauma-informed practice, and intervention strategies.
• Cultural capability and experience with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and communities.
• Driver Licence and willingness to travel for home visits (pool vehicle available).
• WWVP (Working with Vulnerable People) Card is required.

Responsibilities

• Work directly with children, young people, and families facing complex challenges to promote safety and family preservation.
• Develop tailored case plans focusing on safety, wellbeing, and long-term outcomes.
• Deliver early intervention and family support strategies to empower parents and caregivers.
• Maintain culturally safe practice and acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander connections.
• Build partnerships with Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations and other stakeholders for coordinated support.
• Advocate for children and families and ensure their voices are heard and respected.
• Engage in ongoing learning, supervision, and professional development.

Skills

Case management

Trauma-informed practice

Cultural capability

Communication skills

Advocacy

Education

Tertiary qualification in Social Work / Psychology / Human Services / Community Services

Job description

• Full-time fixed contract to December 2027, located in Turner ACT
• Base hourly rate of $53.47 to $56.74 negotiable based on experience and qualifications
• 12% super and access to NFP salary packaging options

About the opportunity:

Every child deserves to grow up feeling safe, connected, and loved. As a Caseworker, you will play a vital role in walking alongside families during some of the most challenging times in their lives, helping them build on their strengths to create safe, stable, and nurturing environments where children can thrive.

Through trauma-informed, strengths-based, and culturally responsive practice, you will work intensively with families to prevent children from entering out-of-home care. Your support will help parents and caregivers develop confidence, strengthen relationships, and achieve positive outcomes that keep children connected to their family, culture, community, and identity.

We acknowledge that for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, connection to family, Community, Country, culture, and kinship networks is fundamental to their wellbeing and sense of belonging. This role requires a genuine commitment to culturally safe practice and the ability to work respectfully and effectively alongside Aboriginal families, Communities, Elders, and Aboriginal-led services to support self-determination and achieve the best outcomes for children and families.

What you’ll be doing:

• Work directly with children, young people, and families experiencing complex challenges, providing practical, strengths-based support that promotes safety, stability, and family preservation.
• Develop tailored case plans that prioritise the safety, wellbeing, voice, and long-term outcomes of children, while building on family strengths and goals.
• Deliver early intervention and family support strategies that empower parents and caregivers to create positive and lasting change.
• Maintain culturally safe and responsive practice, recognising the importance of family, kinship, culture, and connection for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families.
• Build and maintain strong partnerships with Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations, Aboriginal services, child protection agencies, and other key stakeholders to ensure coordinated support and positive outcomes.
• Advocate for children, families, and carers, ensuring their voices, experiences, and cultural identities are respected, heard, and valued.
• Participate in ongoing learning, reflective practice, supervision, and professional development to strengthen your practice, cultural capability, and impact within the community.

Your Qualifications & Experience

• A tertiary qualification in Social Work, Psychology, Human Services, Community Services, or a related field.
• Experience in casework, case management, family preservation, child protection, or supporting vulnerable children, young people, and families.
• Sound knowledge of child protection legislation, risk assessment frameworks, trauma-informed practice, and intervention strategies.
• Demonstrated cultural capability and experience working respectfully with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, families, Communities, and stakeholders.
• An understanding of the importance of cultural identity, family, kinship, Community, and Country in achieving positive outcomes for Aboriginal children and families.
• Strong relationship-building skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with Aboriginal-led organisations, external services, and multidisciplinary stakeholders.
• Excellent communication, engagement, advocacy, and case management skills.
• A current Driver Licence and willingness to travel for home visits (pool vehicle available).
• A current Working with Vulnerable People (WWVP) Card.

Benefits and culture

Working to inspire people, enliven communities and confront injustice brings its own rewards, but there’s more.

• Welcoming you exactly as you are
• Access to generous NFP salary packaging options
• Wellbeing programs as well as access to Uniting’s URewards retail partner program.
• Career development opportunities such as training, education.
• Amazing workplace culture

Employment with Uniting is subject to satisfactory background checks, which include National Police Checks, Working with Children Checks and Reference Checks.

Empowered by diversity:
At Uniting, inclusion isn’t just something we value – it’s how we work. Our culture and practice reflect the vibrant diversity of our colleagues, and the clients and communities we serve.

Uniting is a Child Safe Organisation committed to promoting the safety, wellbeing and inclusion of children and young people.

About Uniting:

When you’re part of Uniting NSW.ACT, you’re part of a diverse, purpose-led team of people who are really making a difference to the world around them.

We contribute to the work and mission of the Uniting Church in NSW and the ACT through social justice advocacy, community services and spiritual care. We provide care and support for people through all ages and stages of life, with a focus on people experiencing disadvantage and vulnerability. Our purpose is to inspire people, enliven communities and confront injustice.

Uniting leaders and employees work together to create a culture that is safe, inclusive and person‑centred. We bring this to life every day through our values: compassionate, respectful, imaginative and bold.

Uniting acknowledges the continuing sovereignty and rich cultural diversity of Australia’s First Peoples. We pay our respects to all Elders – past, present, and emerging – and to all First Peoples on whose lands we live and work.