Trauma-Informed Foster Carer Support Specialist

Centacare Catholic Family Services; Seaton; Remote; GBP 32,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

SCHCADS Award 2010 Level 5

Salary packaging

Training and development

Employee Assistance Program

Parental leave

Health insurance discounts

Job summary

Centacare Catholic Family Services seeks a Carer Support Practitioner to work with foster carers, families and the Department for Child Protection to create safe, stable and therapeutic placements for children with complex needs.

You will provide specialist advice, practical support, in-home consultations, advocacy and trauma‑informed practice, contributing to care team meetings, pre-placement and transitions, and delivering training and information sessions.

Qualifications

• Degree in Social Work or equivalent is required.
• Demonstrated social case work or case management experience with timely notes.
• Experience in out-of-home care or related child protection setting.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed practice and therapeutic care frameworks.
• Knowledge of child protection legislation, risk factors, permanency planning, reunification.
• Experience supporting children and young people with high and complex needs.
• Ability to advise foster carers and work within a multidisciplinary team.
• Current Driver's Licence; Safe Environments training; Working with Children Check.

Responsibilities

• Support and advocate for an allocated caseload of general and specialist foster carers.
• Provide structured in-home consultations, phone support and trauma-informed guidance.
• Work with carers, program leaders and Department for Child Protection staff to facilitate placements.
• Contribute to care team, pre-placement and transition meetings, including minutes when required.
• Consult on care concerns and complex placement matters with the Therapeutic Lead and other professionals.
• Maintain timely placement documentation, case notes and records.
• Monitor Working with Children Checks and mandatory carer training requirements.
• Deliver carer training and information sessions, and assist with events and information sessions.

Skills

Foster care

Trauma-informed practice

Advocacy

In-home consultations

Case management

Effective communication

Education

Degree in Social Work or equivalent

Job description

Centacare Catholic Family Services seeks a Carer Support Practitioner to work with foster carers, families and the Department for Child Protection to create safe, stable and therapeutic placements for children with complex needs.

You will provide specialist advice, practical support, in-home consultations, advocacy and trauma‑informed practice, contributing to care team meetings, pre-placement and transitions, and delivering training and information sessions.