Caseworker, Family Preservation

About the opportunity 

Our IFP team (Intensive Family Preservation) work to support vulnerable families who are at risk of further escalation in the child protection system because we believe that supporting families before a crisis improves family resilience and reduces harm to children.

We’re looking for a creative, experienced, organised self-starters; someone as exceptional as the people we support to join us to provide assessment, crisis management, and longer-term casework as per the Homebuilders Model to families at high risk of having their children removed into care for protective concerns or who are having their children restored to their care. If this is you, we would like to hear from you.

This position is offered on a fixed term full-time contract until 30th June 2021.

What you will be engaged in:

• Providing planning support and structure for the safety of children and young people and taking appropriate action where the safety of the child or young person is at risk.
• Assessing families’ strength and needs using the NCFAS G+R and other approved assessment tools.
• Assisting families to formulate and achieve goals that are child focused and address the safety and well-being of children.
• Facilitating the development and implementation of case plans with families
• Participating in an on-call roster

What you will need to succeed in this role

• Degree in Social Work, Social Science, Psychology, Counselling or related field
• Minimum 2 years case work experience working with children and families within the child protection  or PSP (formally OOHC)
• Demonstrated experience in managing a caseload and case planning with families experiencing complex trauma
• Excellent written and oral communication skills with strong relationship building skills; building and maintaining strong therapeutic relationships with families is an integral part of this role
• Demonstrated understanding of child protection issues with  an ability to assess risk and experience in conducting risk assessments
• Committed to children and young people remaining with their family, provided they are safe

About the benefits

Uniting is proud to be an EEO employer. We support an inclusive approach in the workplace and celebrate our diversity, welcoming staff regardless of ethnicity, faith, sexual orientation, gender identity and lifestyle choices. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are encouraged to apply. 

As well as the opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of others we are also offering:

• An attractive annual salary plus super with optional salary packaging available
• 35 hour working week
• 4 weeks annual leave and 1 week ex gratia leave at Christmas
• Ongoing training & development

Employment with Uniting is subject to satisfactory background checks which may include a National Police, reference and Working with Children checks