Family Strengthening Practitioner

CatholicCare Diocese of Wollongong; Campbelltown; On-site; AUD 68,000 - 69,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary packaging

Personal Leave (15 days)

Christmas leave (3 days)

Fitness Passport

EAP – counselling

Refer a Friend

Parental leave (14 weeks)

Job summary

CatholicCare Wollongong is seeking a Family Strengthening Practitioner to deliver high-quality casework for families facing complex challenges.

The role involves trauma-informed, culturally responsive, child-centered support through home visits, crisis response, and advocacy with external partners to promote child safety. The successful candidate will hold a Diploma in Social Work or related field and be prepared to travel across Macarthur and Wingecarribee.

Qualifications

• Diploma in Social Work, Psychology, Community Services or related field.
• Experience delivering intensive trauma-informed casework with families.
• Experience working with families experiencing child protection risk, domestic and family violence, mental health and complex needs.
• Understanding of child safety, trauma, mandatory reporting and family vulnerability.
• Strong engagement and relationship-building skills with ability to regulate emotions in complex situations.
• Current NSW Working with Children Check (WWCC).
• Current NSW Driver's Licence and willingness to travel across Macarthur and Wingecarribee regions.

Responsibilities

• Deliver high-quality casework to families experiencing complex challenges.
• Provide trauma-informed, culturally responsive and child-centred support through home visits and direct engagement.
• Build relationships with external stakeholders including DCJ, and advocate for families to access supports.
• Provide crisis response and adjust case plans to ensure child safety.

Skills

Trauma-informed practice

Cultural responsiveness

Child-centered approach

Advocacy

Education

Diploma in Social Work, Psychology, Community Services or related field

Job description

About The Role

As a Family Strengthening Practitioner, you will deliver high-quality casework to families experiencing complex challenges.

Within your caseload, you will provide trauma-informed, culturally responsive and child-centred support through home visits and direct engagement that strengthens families and improves outcomes for children.

You will build relationships with external stakeholders including DCJ, and advocate for families to access appropriate supports to help them overcome barriers. The role is also key in providing crisis response and adjusting case plans as required to ensure child safety.

• Hourly Pay rate: $49.16 to $50.25 (depending on experience)
• Hours per week: 38
• Position type: Permanent, Full Time
• Location: Macarthur & Southern Highlands

What We Offer

We know that a healthy work life balance supports our employees. In addition to this we offer:

• Increase your tax savings by up to $18,550 through Salary Packaging!
• 15 days paid Personal Leave each year
• 3 paid additional days leave at Christmas time
• Access a range of employee benefits, including Fitness Passport and free, confidential counselling through our Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Refer a friend and get rewarded through our Refer a Friend Program!
• Enjoy time with your newest family member with up to 14 weeks Paid Parental Leave

What You Bring To The Role

• Diploma in Social Work, Psychology, Community Services or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience delivering intensive and trauma-informed casework with families.
• Experience working with families experiencing child protection risk, domestic and family violence, mental health and complex needs.
• Understanding of child safety, trauma, mandatory reporting and family vulnerability.
• Strong engagement and relationship building skills, with ability to emotionally regulate in complex situations.
• Ability to build trust with families in complex environments.
• Confidence documenting observations and updating case records.
• Current NSW Working with Children Check (WWCC).
• Current NSW Driver's Licence and willingness to travel across Macarthur and Wingecarribee regions.

About Us

CatholicCare Wollongong is a local not for profit organisation committed to helping those in need, regardless of background or circumstances. Our vision is for inclusive, thriving communities where the dignity of every person is respected and valued. We provide services across all stages of life including early childhood education, out of school hours care, community aged and disability care, foster care, school counselling and parenting courses across the Illawarra, Shoalhaven, Southern Highlands and Macarthur regions.

Click here for the Position Description.

For more information, please contact: Louise Hampson at [e-mail]

Close Date: 31 October 2026

This role may close before the official date as we review applications continuously. We value diversity and inclusion. CatholicCare Wollongong welcomes applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disabilities, and those from culturally diverse backgrounds.

We are committed to child safety and the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations. All roles require probity and pre-employment checks.

We look forward to hearing from you!