Joint Child Protection Response Program

Joint Child Protection Response Program (JCPRP) Caseworker - Statewide role at NSW Department of Communities and Justice.

Locations: Ballina, Bathurst, Blacktown, Broken Hill, Coffs Harbour, Dubbo, Gosford, Inverell, Liverpool, Newcastle, Port Macquarie, Queanbeyan, Strawberry Hills, Tamworth, Wagga Wagga grouping (includes Wagga Wagga, Albury & Griffith), Wollongong.

• JCPRP Caseworkers assess safety and risk to children and young people within a multi-disciplinary service model.
• Engage in collaborative, child-focused practice that acknowledges and respects the culture and context of each child, young person and their carers/family.
• Source timely, accurate and comprehensive information and make evidence-based decisions in line with the child/young person's safety, welfare and wellbeing.
• Model ethical and curious casework that is responsive to the changing needs of children, young people and families.
• Build relationships within the Program, practice and legislative frameworks to promote meaningful change in families for better outcomes for children/young people and their families.
• Develop and maintain networks and relationships with JCPRP partner agencies and other stakeholders to deliver holistic and coordinated services for children, young people and families.
• Participate and contribute to a culture of continuous learning and professional development to ensure practice knowledge and skills are contemporary.
• Maintain accurate and objective client records for reporting and information sharing.
• Have difficult conversations about and with children, young people, family and key stakeholders to mitigate risks and enhance safety and wellbeing.
• Initiate action in the Children's Court to ensure safety and wellbeing where required.

Working with vulnerable children, young people and carers/families within a multi-disciplinary program is challenging and rewarding. To be a JCPR Caseworker you need to be confident, curious and resilient. The essential requirements include:

• Minimum of 2 years' frontline experience in statutory child protection services or within statutory investigation services.
• Preferred: Completed or in your final semester of a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Social Work, Social Science and Welfare with practical experience (if in final semester you cannot commence on duty until degree is completed).
• Other related degrees considered if you can demonstrate knowledge, skills and experience working with vulnerable children, young people and families.
• Identifies as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander with a strong connection to community (optional but encouraged).
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, and the ability to build positive working relationships.
• A valid driver's licence (P1 or above).
• A paid Working with Children clearance number.

We strongly encourage people from Aboriginal and multicultural backgrounds to apply.

• A competitive base salary range $89,934 – $116,969 pa plus superannuation & annual leave loading.
• Flexible working conditions including a 140 hour month.
• Industry-leading JCPRP training and ongoing development opportunities.
• Opportunity to work within a unique and highly visible multi-disciplinary program with a collective goal of improving safety and wellbeing outcomes for children and young people.
• Unequalled insight into the operations and culture of the JCPRP partner agencies.
• Positive culture for wellness including Fitness Passport, tailored health app and mental health support.

Click apply and attach a cover letter (maximum 2 pages) and an up-to-date résumé (maximum 5 pages). Include a Targeted Question response as part of the application:

Targeted Question: Describe a time when you were required to undertake a safety and risk assessment for a child or young person. What steps did you take to complete this assessment, what were the challenges and what was the outcome?

For assistance or to request recruitment process adjustments, contact the recruitment team.