Aboriginal Child Protection Caseworker - Western Sydney Nepean Blue Mountains
Employment type: Ongoing
Salary: $89,934 – $116,969 per annum plus superannuation and annual leave loading.
Open to Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people group only.
Your role
Working for the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) is about partnering with families and communities to thrive. We walk alongside families, children, and communities, working together with other agencies and partners to build on strengths and create lasting change. Our focus is on breaking cycles of disadvantage and supporting strong futures. This is work that truly matters. At DCJ, we believe families are the heart of our work and your cultural knowledge would be invaluable to this work. Our priority is always the safety, wellbeing, and cultural connection of children and young people. We know that when we have more Aboriginal caseworkers, our kids are more likely to grow up strong, safe, and connected to mob.
What You'll Do
* Work sensitively and respectfully with parents, family members, children or young people
* Work in partnership with other agencies and engage in complex problem solving
* Walk alongside families to set goals that build on their strengths, addressing safety and well‐being concerns, and provide appropriate assistance through home visits
* Develop safety plans and complete risk assessments
* Manage cases and situations including working with high needs and high‐risk clients and their families
* Be involved in court processes, including the preparation of court documents and attending court
* Participate in individual and group supervision
* Participate in Aboriginal cultural supervision
Being an Aboriginal Child Protection Caseworker can be difficult. Sometimes, you may have to make tough decisions with families to help them overcome hardships in order to be able to care for their children and develop safe and loving homes.
What We're Looking For
To be an Aboriginal Child Protection Caseworker, you bring courage, curiosity, and cultural strength. You stand strong in challenging times, listen deeply, and walk alongside families. The essential requirements include:
* A relevant diploma or degree qualification is preferred
* Applicants without a relevant qualification require at least two years' experience working with vulnerable children, young people and their families
* The ability to build positive working relationships with the Aboriginal community, supported by excellent verbal and written communication skills
* A valid driver's licence
* A paid working with children clearance number
* Documented verification of Aboriginality – confirming that you are an Aboriginal person of Aboriginal descent and that you identify as being Aboriginal
As an Identified role, this position is open only to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander persons. Where a position is identified, an applicant's race is a genuine occupational qualification under the exception in Section 14(d) of the Anti‐Discrimination Act 1977.
Role
There are two alternatives to confirming your Aboriginality, one of which must be uploaded to be considered for the role: either a Confirmation of Aboriginality form or written confirmation from 2‐3 Aboriginal organisations within the community in which you live/work, addressing the three criteria listed below:
* Is of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent, and
* Identifies as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person, and
* Is accepted as such by the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community.
What We Offer
We offer a variety of benefits, including:
* A challenging and rewarding career
* Flexible, autonomous work environment
* Competitive pay and conditionsTraining and development opportunities to build and maintain capabilities
* Health & Wellbeing and Employee Assistance Programs
How to Apply
Click apply, attach a cover letter (maximum 2 pages) outlining how you meet the requirements of the role as well as an up‐to‐date résumé (maximum 5 pages). For questions, contact Steve Mifsud at 02 9765 4094 or via. For more information, visit the DCJ Careers site or the Inclusion and Diversity page on the DCJ website.
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