Child & Family Practitioner

Leighton Asia; Adelaide; On-site; AUD 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Supportive leadership

Reflective supervision

Professional development opportunities

RDO + Tool of Trade vehicle

Salary packaging

Fitness Passport

Job summary

Life Without Barriers is seeking a passionate Child & Family Practitioner for our Unley, SA office. The role focuses on skilled casework, assessments, and placing children and young people in safe, stable family-based environments with relatives or significant carers.

You will collaborate with carers, families and government agencies to develop and implement individualised care plans prioritising safety, stability, and long-term wellbeing, while applying trauma-informed CARE coaching to carers.

Qualifications

• Recognised Social Work qualifications with eligibility for membership of the AASW and/or a Bachelor of Psychology or other relevant qualification (desirable)
• Certificate IV in Child, Youth and Family Services or similar (essential)
• Safe Environments Certificate within 3 years (must be obtained prior to commencement)
• Significant experience within the child protection or Out of Home Care sector
• Experience undertaking child-focused assessments and carer assessments
• Experience with strength-based and culturally responsive approaches
• Understanding of trauma, attachment and impacts of abuse and neglect on children and young people
• Strong analytical, problem solving and case management skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work autonomously within a multidisciplinary team

Responsibilities

• Undertake child-focused casework practice including assessment, case planning, implementation and review in partnership with government agencies, carers, children, families and key stakeholders
• Support the development and sustainability of Kinship and Foster Care placements that promote stability and positive outcomes for children and young people
• Provide ongoing support and supervision to Kinship and Foster Carers through home visits, reflective practice and telephone support
• Mentor carers to understand trauma, attachment and complex behaviours using the CARE model framework
• Facilitate placement transitions and support carers and children during introductions and placement changes
• Complete carer assessments including provisional, renewal and review assessments
• Support carers to actively participate in the case planning process and implement agreed strategies within care plans
• Develop and monitor risk assessments, safety plans, cultural support plans and behavioural support strategies
• Maintain accurate and compliant records including case notes, care renewals, assessments and documentation within the CIRTS database
• Contribute to a collaborative team environment and uphold Life Without Barriers’ CARE model and practice framework

Skills

Analytical skills

Case management

Communication skills

Autonomy

Team collaboration

Cultural responsiveness

Education

Certificate IV in Child, Youth and Family Services

Social Work degree / Bachelor of Psychology (desirable)

Job description

Child & Family Practitioner - Permanent Full-Time - Unley

Apply now Job no: 507096
Employment type: Full Time
Location: Adelaide
Categories: Child, Youth & Family

• Supportive leadership, reflective supervision and professional development opportunities
• Monthly rostered day off (RDO) + Tool of Trade vehicle (with fuel card)
• Generous Employee Benefits – Access to salary packaging, Fitness Passport + More!

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: Child & Family Practitioner
Location: Unley, SA
Employment Type: Permanent Full Time

We are looking for a passionate and experienced Child & Family Practitioner to join our team based in our Unley office. In this role, you will provide skilled casework, assessment and support to help ensure children and young people in care are placed in safe, stable family-based environments with relatives or significant people in their lives.

Working closely with carers, children and young people, families, government agencies and community stakeholders, you will support the development and implementation of individualised care plans that prioritise safety, stability and long-term wellbeing.

You will also mentor and coach carers using Life Without Barriers’ CARE model, supporting them to understand the impacts of trauma and build the skills needed to provide safe, nurturing and stable placements for children and young people.

• Undertake child-focused casework practice including assessment, case planning, implementation and review in partnership with government agencies, carers, children, families and key stakeholders
• Support the development and sustainability of Kinship and Foster Care placements that promote stability and positive outcomes for children and young people
• Provide ongoing support and supervision to Kinship and Foster Carers through home visits, reflective practice and telephone support
• Mentor carers to understand trauma, attachment and complex behaviours using the CARE model framework
• Facilitate placement transitions and support carers and children during introductions and placement changes
• Complete carer assessments including provisional, renewal and review assessments
• Support carers to actively participate in the case planning process and implement agreed strategies within care plans
• Develop and monitor risk assessments, safety plans, cultural support plans and behavioural support strategies
• Maintain accurate and compliant records including case notes, care renewals, assessments and documentation within the CIRTS database
• Contribute to a collaborative team environment and uphold Life Without Barriers’ CARE model and practice framework

Skills & Experience

• Recognised Social Work qualifications with eligibility for membership of the AASW and/or a Bachelor of Psychology or other relevant qualification (desirable))
• Certificate IV in Child, Youth and Family Services or similar (essential))
• Safe Environments Certificate within 3 years (must be obtained prior to commencement)
• Significant experience within the child protection or Out of Home Care sector
• Demonstrated experience undertaking child-focused assessments, including carer assessments
• Experience supporting children, families and carers using a strength-based and culturally responsive approach
• Understanding of trauma, attachment and the impacts of abuse and neglect on children and young people
• Strong analytical, problem solving and case management skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills including high quality case documentation
• Ability to work autonomously while contributing to a multidisciplinary team environment

Successful candidates will be required to clear probity checks including National Criminal History Record Check and relevant Working with Children Checks.

Applications close at midnight 27 th September 2026.

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.

Additional Support

Life Without Barriers offers a dedicated After-Hours Service (AHS) for all Child Youth and Family programs. AHS ensures efficient responses to after-hours events that cannot wait until the next business day, relieving our front-line staff from on-call duties and significantly improving their work-life balance.