Foster & Kinship Case Worker

Althea Projects Inc; Townsville City; On-site; AUD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary packaging

5 Weeks Annual Leave

Supportive leadership

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Job summary

Althea Projects in Townsville seeks a Foster & Kinship Case Worker to support foster and kinship carers with case management, training and ongoing support.

You will monitor placements, coordinate services and respond to emergencies while ensuring compliance with relevant legislation and program requirements.

Qualifications

• Qualifications in Social Work, Human Services, Psychology, Community Services or a related field.
• Experience in fostering, child protection, or out-of-home care and trauma-informed practice.
• Strong case management and relationship-building skills.

Responsibilities

• Managing a caseload of foster and kinship carers with care plans and case notes.
• Maintaining carer/child files and monthly home visits with accurate records.
• Responding to crises and guiding carers through challenging issues.
• Coordinating referrals and matching them to carers; assisting with service access.

Skills

Case management

Relationship-building

Interpersonal skills

Cultural awareness

Time management

Education

Social Work / Human Services / Psychology / Community Services or related field

Job description

Since 1974, Althea Projects Inc. has been supporting and strengthening the capacity of vulnerable people within Townsville and the surrounding regions. Our main programs are Foster & Kinship, Wee Care Residential and Althea's Community Hub, from which we deliver a range of services.

Althea Projects Foster and Kinship Program is a foster and kinship care support service for children who are subject to departmental intervention.

We are seeking a passionate and skilled Foster & Kinship Case Worker to join our dedicated Foster & Kinship Program. This rewarding role supports foster and kinship carers to provide safe, stable and nurturing homes for children and young people in care.

Child Safeguarding Position Statement

Althea Projects is committed to the safety, wellbeing and rights of all children and young people. We have zero tolerance for any form of abuse, neglect or harm. We actively create child safe environments where children feel respected, valued and heard, and where their voices inform our decisions. We are committed to culturally safe practice and to ensuring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children feel welcomed, protected and connected to culture and community.

All employees, volunteers and contractors share responsibility for child safety and are required to uphold the Queensland Child Safe Standards, comply with our Child Safe Code of Conduct, and meet all child-related screening and reporting obligations.

About the role

As a Foster & Kinship Case Worker, you will work directly with foster and kinship carers to provide case management, guidance, training and ongoing support. You will play a key role in monitoring placements, coordinating services, responding to emergencies, and ensuring compliance with legislative and program requirements.

Key responsibilities

• Managing a caseload of foster and kinship carers, including the development and maintenance of carer support plans, case noting all matters, assisting carers with health needs of children, including coordinating referrals for complex health needs, NDIS, medical appointments, and approvals.
• Maintaining carer and child files on databases, ensuring compliance requirements are met and files are kept current.
• Conducting monthly home visits and maintaining accurate case notes.
• Responding promptly to crises and emergencies, offering guidance and assistance to foster and kinship carers to manage challenging behaviours, emotional issues, and other disruptions that may arise.
• Participating in carer recruitment, assessment and induction activities and assist with matching referrals to carers.
• Facilitate regulatory training for all carers within their first 12 months as required.
• Participate in the 24/7 on call phone support roster and determine escalation pathways to the Department and to Manager on Call for serious and critical incidents.
• Working collaboratively with Child Safety, carers, families and other stakeholders.
• Ensuring compliance with the Child Safety Protection Act, licensing requirements and the Human Services Quality Framework (HSQF)

About you

• Qualifications in Social Work, Human Services, Psychology, Community Services or a related field.
• Knowledge of the fostering, child protection or out of home care sector and the issues facing carers and children and the impact of trauma; and experience in evaluating and case managing these needs against relevant legislation, policies and procedures.
• Strong case management and relationship-building skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to build and maintain professional working relationships with clear boundaries with carers and children.
• The ability to manage challenging situations with professionalism, resilience and empathy.
• Cultural awareness and experience in providing culturally appropriate engagement to Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander peoples.
• Effective time management with the ability to manage high case load while maintaining a solution focussed, positive, calm and resilient demeanour.
• Current Queensland Driver Licence.
• Queensland Working with Children Check (Blue Card)
• Child Safety and Personal History Screening Check (License Care Services - LCS)
• Eligibility to work in Australia.
• A meaningful career supporting vulnerable children, young people and families.

Attractive Salary Packaging benefits to maximise your take-home pay.

5 Weeks Annual Leave.

Supportive leadership and team environment.

Employee wellbeing initiatives and Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Applications will close at 5:00pm on Friday 16 October 2026, however we retain the right to start screening and interviewing any suitable candidates prior to this date.