Job Description
Join the Department for Child Protection (DCP) as a Senior Social Worker and use your expertise to lead complex child protection cases. This role gives you the independence to apply your skills, while working closely with families, children, and communities to deliver meaningful change. You’ll play a vital part in safeguarding young people, strengthening family connections, and shaping better outcomes across South Australia.
The location for this role is Berri, a vibrant town in the heart of South Australia’s Riverland, set along the Murray River. Known for its citrus orchards, wineries, and stunning riverfront, Berri offers a relaxed yet active lifestyle.
What We Offer:
- Employee Wellbeing: Free annual flu vaccination, Employee Assistance Program (confidential counselling for you and your family), and other wellbeing initiatives.
- Career Development: Permanent roles, annual increments, up to $2,500 in professional development support, and clear career pathways.
- Parental & Partner Leave: Paid leave options to support you and your family.
- Recognition: Annual DCP Recognition Awards celebrating staff excellence.
- Learning & Development: Solid commitment to ongoing professional growth and learning opportunities.
- Exclusive Allowance: Extra 4% for child protection social workers, permanently enshrined in the Enterprise Agreement, making DCP the highest-paying government employer in SA
- Professional Development (PD) – a $1,000 allowance increasing incrementally each year + reimbursement of PD expenses up to $1,000 (AHP2 level)
- Relocation assistance & incentives – Eligibility government housing, or rental support (regional/remote only).
- Regional assistance – Berri offers a 5-year Regional Incentive starting at $3,530, with annual increases recognising your dedication to supporting the local community.
- Additional Qualifications Allowance
- Support – free counselling and wellbeing services for you and your family.
- Recognition – annual DCP Recognition Awards celebrating staff excellence.
Responsibilities:
- Lead complex investigations and assessments focused on child safety and wellbeing.
- Deliver tailored interventions that support families and promote positive outcomes.
- Respond to child protection notifications and reassess cases as new evidence arises.
- Provide high-quality reports and evidence, including presenting in court proceedings.
- Build strong, culturally sensitive relationships with families, kin, and community.
Requirements:
To be successful, you will be an experienced social worker who thrives on applying your skills independently while working collaboratively with others. You bring confidence in managing complex cases, conducting thorough assessments, and delivering interventions that create meaningful outcomes.
You will be a skilled communicator who can prepare clear reports, contribute to court proceedings, and build trust with families, communities, and colleagues. Your culturally sensitive approach ensures that children, including Aboriginal and culturally diverse young people, receive inclusive and effective services.
Essential: A degree level qualification in Social Work which gives eligibility for full membership of the Australian Association of Social Workers.
We encourage applications from all backgrounds, experiences, and abilities. This includes women, people with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, the LGBTQI+ communities, and people from culturally diverse backgrounds.
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📌 Senior Social Worker
🏢 Department for Child Protection, South Australia
📍 Berri