Joint Child Protection Response Program (JCPRP) Caseworker - Statewide

NSW Department of Communities and Justice; Coniston; On-site; AUD 89,934 - 116,969; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working conditions

Competitive pay and conditions

Health & Wellbeing Programs

Job summary

NSW Department of Communities and Justice is hiring experienced Caseworkers to assess safety and risk for children and young people across various locations in New South Wales. Candidates should have a minimum of 2 years in child protection and relevant qualifications. The role involves conducting assessments, collaborating with families, and ensuring the wellbeing of children. Competitive pay, training, and a flexible work environment are offered.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 2 years’ frontline experience in statutory child protection services.
• Preferred completed or in your final semester of a relevant degree.
• Ability to build positive working relationships.

Responsibilities

• Conduct assessments to identify safety and risk concerns for children.
• Engage in collaborative, child-focused practice.
• Source timely and accurate information for decisions.

Skills

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Critical thinking

Problem-solving

Interpersonal skills

Self-management

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Social Work or related field

Job description

Location

Statewide NSW: Ballina, Bathurst, Blacktown, Broken Hill, Coffs Harbour, Dubbo, Gosford, Inverell, Liverpool, Newcastle, Port Macquarie, Queanbeyan, Strawberry Hills, Tamworth, Wagga Wagga grouping (includes Wagga Wagga, Albury & Griffith), Wollongong

Employment Type

Ongoing

Salary

$89,934 – $116,969 pa plus superannuation and annual leave loading

Inclusion

We strongly encourage people from Aboriginal and multicultural backgrounds to apply for these roles.

Your role

JCPRP Caseworkers assess safety and risk to children and young people within a multi‑disciplinary service model. We are seeking experienced child protection Caseworkers with excellent analytical, assessment and communication skills. To be successful in this role, applicants must demonstrate strong attention to detail, highly developed critical thinking and problem solving, and excellent interpersonal and self‑management skills.

What You’ll Do

• Undertake assessments to identify and address safety and risk concerns for children and young people within a multi‑disciplinary program
• Engage in collaborative, child‑focused practice that acknowledges and respects the culture and context of each child, young person and their carers/family
• Source timely, accurate and comprehensive information and make evidence‑based decisions in line with the child/young person’s safety, welfare and wellbeing
• Model ethical and curious casework that is responsive to the changing needs of children, young people and families
• Build relationships within the Program, practice and legislative frameworks to promote meaningful change in families for better outcomes for children/young people and their families
• Develop and maintain networks and relationships with JCPRP partner agencies and other stakeholders to deliver holistic and coordinated services for children, young people and families
• Participate and contribute to a culture of continuous learning and professional development to ensure practice knowledge and skills are contemporary
• Maintain accurate and objective client records for reporting and information sharing
• Have difficult conversations about and with children, young people, family and key stakeholders to mitigate risks and enhance safety and wellbeing
• Initiate action in the Children’s Court to ensure safety and wellbeing where required

What We’re Looking For

Working with vulnerable children, young people and carers/families within a multi‑disciplinary program is never boring, often challenging and always rewarding.

• Minimum of 2 years’ frontline experience in statutory child protection services or within statutory investigation services
• 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
• and/or identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander with a strong connection to community
• 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

What We Offer

• A challenging and rewarding career
• Flexible working conditions including a 140‑hour month
• Competitive pay and conditions
• Industry leading JCPRP training and ongoing development opportunities
• Opportunity to work within a unique and highly visible multi‑disciplinary program with a collective goal of improving safety and wellbeing outcomes for children and young people
• Unequalled insight into the operations and culture of the JCPRP partner agencies
• Health & Wellbeing and Employee Assistance Programs

Requirements

Describe a time when you were required to undertake a safety and risk assessment for a child or young person. What steps did you take to complete this assessment, what were the challenges and what was the outcome?

Inclusion and Diversity

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.