Manager Casework

NSW Department of Communities and Justice; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 133,000 - 147,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation incentives may be negoti at

Up to 5 weeks annual leave

Remote area allowance

Flexible, autonomous work environment

Health & Wellbeing programs

Employee Assistance Programs

Job summary

NSW Department of Communities and Justice – Melbourne VIC is seeking a Manager Casework to lead a team of caseworkers, ensure high-quality practice, and provide strategic direction. The role focuses on trauma-informed care, performance management, and collaboration with community partners to improve outcomes for vulnerable children and families.

Applicants should have tertiary qualifications in Social Work or related fields and demonstrated experience in high-volume, complex settings.

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualifications in Social Work, Psychology, Social Science, Welfare or a related discipline.
• Extensive experience in applying best practice casework with children, young people and their families.
• Experience leading and managing teams in complex and high-volume environments.

Responsibilities

• Monitor daily priorities and resource allocations for Caseworkers.
• Ensure high-quality casework meeting best practice standards.
• Lead a team of caseworkers through supervision and coaching.
• Provide authoritative practice guidance and professional development.
• Prepare and review legal documentation for matters in Children's Court and higher courts.
• Support staff with timeframes, work allocation and performance management.
• Contribute to operational and policy change strategies.
• Foster collaboration with community partners and ongoing learning.

Skills

Leadership

Trauma-informed care

Driver's licence

Education

Bachelor or higher in Social Work / Psychology / Social Science / Welfare or related

Job description

NSW Department of Communities and Justice – Melbourne VIC

Salary - Grade 9/10 - $133,348 - $146,945 p.a. + superannuation and annual leave loading

Our Community Service Centres (CSC) are looking for committed, compassionate, and resilient leaders with a passion to empower people to improve the lives of children and families in NSW. The Manager Casework role requires you to have a mix of knowledge, skills and values to empower, mentor and provide strategic direction to a team of Caseworkers and Casework Support Workers.

What you'll do

As a Manager Casework, you will monitor and establish daily priorities and resource allocations for Caseworkers. You will ensure the implementation of high-quality work that meets best practice standards to improve the life experiences of vulnerable children, young people, and families at risk.

Lead and manage a team of caseworkers through effective group supervision, leadership and individual casework coaching and feedback to deliver accountable and collaborative casework that respects the culture and context of each child, young person, family and community

Model ethical and curious casework practice and culture which nurtures quality family work and draws on differing views, external expertise and fosters debate and learning

Ensure casework and client record compliance through effective review and feedback mechanisms

Preparation and review of legal documentation, briefings and correspondence ensuring responses are accurate for matters withing Children's Court, District and Supreme Courts in a timely manner.

Managing and supporting staff with time frames, work allocation and performance management when required.

Contributing to operational and policy issues and change management strategies which support the agency goals and objectives.

Provide authoritative practice through ongoing professional development and collaboration across the agency and with community partners

Participate and contribute to a culture of continuous learning and professional development to ensure practice knowledge and skills are contemporary and evidence-based

What we're looking for

Tertiary qualifications in Social Work, Psychology, Social Science, Welfare or a related discipline.

Recognising the value of cultural knowledge, community connections and lived experience, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates with proven experience supporting children, young people and families may be considered without tertiary qualifications.

Extensive experience in applying best practice casework with children, young people and their families.

Experience leading and managing teams in complex and challenging situations, including a high-volume work area.

A demonstrated understanding of trauma informed care and the impact poverty, trauma and violence has on children and their families.

Valid driver's licence, as travel is a requirement of the role.

Travel required as part of the role to local offices aligned to the management responsibility area including Broken Hill, Dareton and Wilcannia. Other travel across the broader South West NSW region will also occur as required.

Appointments are subject to reference checks and the following pre-employment checks:

National Criminal History Record Check in accordance with the Disability Inclusion Act 2014

Working with Children Check clearance in accordance with the Child Protection (Working with Children) Act 2012

Download the role description.

What We Offer

We offer a variety of benefits, including:

• Relocation incentives may be negotiated.
• A challenging and rewarding career
• Up to 5 weeks annual leave (subject to geographical location)
• Remote area allowance based on location
• Flexible, autonomous work environment
• Competitive pay and conditions
• Training and development opportunities to build and maintain capabilities
• Health & Wellbeing and Employee Assistance Programs.
• Relocating? Get free, personalised support with housing, schools, jobs, and settling in. Learn more: www.nsw.gov.au/welcomeexperience.

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.

Applications close 11th November 2026 at 11:59pm AEST.

For more information about the role or what it's like to work for DCJ, please contact the hiring manager Natasha Gnezdilloff on ***************@dcj.nsw.gov.au

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 Kirsten Wafer on *************@dcj.nsw.gov.au or via 02 9765 3***.

Visit Recruitment adjustments on the DCJ website to learn more.

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.

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.