Joint Child Protection Response Program

Joint Child Protection Response Program (JCPRP) Caseworker - Statewide

We are currently recruiting for multiple locations in New South Wales, including 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) and Wollongong.

JCPRP Caseworkers assess safety and risk to children and young people within a multi-disciplinary service model. We are seeking experienced child protection caseworkers with excellent analytical, assessment and communication skills. To be successful in this role, applicants must demonstrate strong attention to detail, highly developed critical thinking and problem solving, and excellent interpersonal and self-management skills.

A day in the life of a JCPR Caseworker

• Undertake assessments to identify and address safety and risk concerns for children and young people within a multi-disciplinary program
• 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

What We're Looking For

Working with vulnerable children, young people and carers/families within a multi-disciplinary program is never boring, often challenging and always 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 along with practical experience. (If you are in your final semester of university you will not be able to commence on duty if successful until you have completed your degree)
• Other related degrees are considered, if you can demonstrate your 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
• 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 for these roles.

Click here to view the role description and the assessment process. Click here to hear from our Caseworkers.

What's in it for you?

As Australia's top public sector employer, we offer competitive benefits and opportunities including:

• 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

Are you ready to join us? Click apply, attach a cover letter (maximum 2 pages) as well as an up-to-date résumé (maximum 5 pages). When applying please attach an up-to-date resume and provide a response to the targeted question below. Ensure all parts of the question are addressed. Applications that have not answered the targeted question will not be reviewed.

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?

If you've got a question about applying or would benefit from an adjustment in the recruitment process to help you perform at your best, please call Vanessa Tran on (02) 9765 5049 or via vanessa.tran@dcj.nsw.gov.au. Visit Recruitment adjustments on the DCJ website to learn more.

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. To find out what DCJ are doing to build an inclusive and diverse workforce, visit Inclusion and diversity on the DCJ website.

Other information: A talent pool may be created for future ongoing and temporary roles and is valid for up to 18 months. For more information visit Your recruitment journey on the DCJ website.

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