Joint Child Protection Response Program (JCPRP) Caseworker - Statewide

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

Job summary

NSW Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) is recruiting JCPRP Caseworkers to assess safety and risk to children within a multi-disciplinary service model in NSW.

These roles require frontline experience in statutory child protection, relevant degrees, and the ability to work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. You will collaborate with partners, maintain records, and participate in ongoing professional development.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 2 years' frontline experience in statutory child protection or investigation services.
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Social Work, Social Science or Welfare with practical experience.
• Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander with strong community connection is encouraged.
• Excellent verbal and written communication and ability to build positive working relationships.
• Valid driver’s licence (P1 or above) and paid Working with Children clearance.

Responsibilities

• Undertake assessments to identify safety and risk concerns for children and young people within a multi-disciplinary program.
• Engage in collaborative, child-focused practice that acknowledges culture and context of each child and family.
• Source timely, accurate information and make evidence-based decisions on safety and wellbeing.
• Maintain accurate and objective client records for reporting and information sharing.
• Initiate action in the Children’s Court to ensure safety and wellbeing where required.
• Develop and maintain networks with partner agencies and stakeholders to deliver coordinated services.

Skills

Attention to detail

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Curiosity

Resilience

Interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor’s/Master’s in Social Work or related

Job description

We are currently recruiting for vacancies and talent pool inclusions for 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

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

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.

To be a JCPR Caseworker you need to be confident, curious and resilient. The essential requirements include:

• 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

We offer a variety of benefits, including:

• 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.

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.

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?

Applications that have not answered the targeted question will not be reviewed.

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.

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.

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/

The Welcome Experience

Thinking about moving to regional NSW? Get free, personalised support with housing, schools, jobs, and settling in. Learn more: www.nsw.gov.au/welcomeexperience The careers site currently promotes this service on the ‘Discover roles with DCJ in regional NSW’ page.