Aboriginal Child Protection Caseworker

Aboriginal Child Protection Caseworker - Northern NSW

Location: Lismore, NSW, AU, Ballina, NSW, AU, Grafton, NSW, AU, Tweed Heads, NSW, AU

We do work that really matters

DCJ is all about keeping families together so that children thrive at home. Our first priority is always the safety, welfare and wellbeing of the children or young person. We know the more Aboriginal caseworkers we have, the more Aboriginal kids grow up safely at home with mob.

What you'll do

1. Work sensitively and respectfully with parents, family members, children or young people.
2. Work collaboratively with other agencies and engage in complex problem solving.
3. Assist families in formulating goals that align with their needs, addressing safety and well-being concerns, and provide appropriate assistance through home visits.
4. Develop safety plans and complete risk assessments.
5. Manage cases and situations including working with high needs and high-risk clients and their families.
6. Be involved in court processes, including the preparation of court documents and attending court.
7. Participate in individual and group 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 a Child Protection Caseworker you need to be confident, curious and resilient. The essential requirements include:

1. A relevant diploma or degree qualification is preferred.
2. Applicants without a relevant qualification require at least two years' experience working with vulnerable children, young people and their families.
3. The ability to build positive working relationships, supported by excellent verbal and written communication skills.
4. A valid driver's licence.
5. A paid working with children clearance number.
6. 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.

There are two alternatives to confirming your Aboriginality, one of which must be uploaded to be considered for the role as follows. Either will be accepted:

1. Confirmation of Aboriginality form.
2. Written confirmation from 2-3 Aboriginal organisations within the community in which you live/work, which addresses 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.

Rewarding salary from $87,315 to $113,562 pa plus superannuation and annual leave loading.

Opportunities to work flexibly.

17 weeks of industry leading training in the Caseworker Development Program.

Customised career development and support for your personal and professional growth.

Generous leave entitlements including flex leave.

Positive culture for wellness including Fitness Passport, tailored health app and mental health support.

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.