Child Protection Caseworker - New England

NSW Department of Communities and Justice; Edgeroi; On-site; AUD 93,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work environment

Training & development opportunities

Health & wellbeing programs

Employee assistance programs

Job summary

The NSW Department of Communities and Justice is seeking a skilled Child Protection Caseworker to support families across Armidale, Glen Innes, Inverell, Moree, Narrabri and Tamworth. You will respond to safety concerns, work with families, and coordinate with partner agencies to protect children.

This ongoing role offers a meaningful career, flexible arrangements, comprehensive pay, superannuation and annual leave loading.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in social work, social science or welfare with practical experience
• Other degrees considered if you can demonstrate knowledge and experience working with vulnerable children and families
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and ability to build positive working relationships
• Valid driver’s licence (P1 or above)
• Paid Working with Children clearance number

Responsibilities

• Respond to safety concerns and assess risk for children or young people
• Develop safety plans and complete risk assessments
• Manage cases with high needs and high-risk families
• Attend court and prepare court documents as required
• Collaborate with other agencies and participate in supervision

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Interpersonal skills

Driver's licence

Child protection experience

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in social work or welfare

Other related degrees considered with relevant experience

Job description

Child Protection Caseworker – New England

We are currently recruiting for vacancies and talent pool inclusions for Armidale, Glen Innes, Inverell, Moree, Narrabri, Tamworth.

Employment type: Ongoing

Salary: $92,632 – $120,478 pa plus superannuation and annual leave loading

Your Role

DCJ is all about keeping families together so that children thrive at home. Our first priority is always the safety, welfare and wellbeing of the children or young person.

In this role, you will respond to reports about safety concerns surrounding children or young people who may have been harmed.

What You’ll Do

• Work sensitively and respectfully with parents, family members, children or young people
• Work collaboratively with other agencies and engage in complex problem solving
• Assist families in formulating goals that align with their needs, addressing safety and well-being concerns, and provide appropriate assistance through home visits
• Develop safety plans and complete risk assessments
• Manage cases and situations including working with high needs and high-risk clients and their families
• Be involved in court processes, including the preparation of court documents and attending court
• Participate in individual and group supervision

Being a Child Protection Caseworker can be difficult. Sometimes, you may have to make tough decisions with families to help them overcome hardships in order to be able to care for their children and develop safe and loving homes.

What We’re Looking For

To be a Child Protection Caseworker you need to be confident, curious and resilient.

The Essential Requirements Include

• Preferred Completed or in your final semester of a Bachelor’s or master’s degree in social work, Social Science and Welfare along with practical experience.

(If you are in your final semester of university you will not be able to commence on duty if successful until you have completed your degree)

• Other related degrees are considered, if you can demonstrate your knowledge skills and experience working with vulnerable children, young people and families
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, and the ability to build positive working relationships
• A valid driver’s licence (P1 or above)
• A paid working with children clearance number

Download the Role Description

Click here to hear from our Caseworkers.

What We Offer

We offer a variety of benefits, including:

• A challenging and rewarding career
• Flexible, autonomous work environment
• Competitive pay and conditions
• Training and development opportunities to build and maintain capabilities
• Health & Wellbeing and Employee Assistance Programs.

Want more information? Visit our website to see more information on Working for us.

We do work that really matters

Working for the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) provides lots of opportunities to make a real difference. We collaborate with other agencies and community partners, to improve lives and realise the potential of children, adults, families and communities. We're focused on breaking, rather than managing, disadvantage. It’s work that really matters.

Got a question?

If you’ve got a question about applying or would benefit from an adjustment in the recruitment process to help you perform at your best (including an alternate method submission of the application), please call Gen Lanuzo on 02 9765 3513 or via [e-mail].

Inclusion and Diversity lies at the heart of how we recruit

We continue to hire great people with a wide variety of skills, experience and backgrounds. This includes people with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, women, people identifying as LGBTIQ+, culturally and linguistically diverse people, carers and other diversity groups.

To find out what DCJ are doing to build an inclusive and diverse workforce, visit Inclusion and diversity on the DCJ website.

Other Information

A talent pool may be created for future ongoing and temporary roles and is valid for a period of up to 18 months.

For more information visit Applying for DCJ jobs on the DCJ website.

Thank you for your interest in this role. We look forward to receiving your application.

To keep up with recruitment opportunities at DCJ, follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/CareersatDCJ/

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Thinking about moving to regional NSW? Get free, personalised support with housing, schools, jobs, and settling in. Learn more: www.nsw.gov.au/welcomeexperience