Caseworker, Fostering Young Lives

• Full time, fixed-term contract position based on Darug Country in Penrith
• $82k - $96k + Super + Salary Packaging
• Hybrid flexibility & flexible working options
• Join a supportive and close knit team

Our Organisation

The Benevolent Society's vision is to build a just society where all Australians can live their best life. For more than 200 years we have supported people at the margins of society: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians; children, young people, and their families; older people; carers and people with disability. We are an independent, non-religious service provider which supports people to live life their way.

As part of The Benevolent Society's vision, we are strongly committed to reconciliation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people of Australia. We remain steadfast in our commitment to promoting the economic, political, and social inclusion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

About the role

Our Fostering Young Lives program enables children in Out Of Home Care (OOHC) to achieve their highest potential. We support their carers and their birth parents to create a safe and secure environment so these children have a safe place to land. The role is an opportunity to case manage children and young people in OOHC and support them, their carers and birth family to achieve the best outcome. This role will see you work in a team which is driven, friendly and committed to the role.

As our Case Manager you are passionate about improving outcomes for children/young people who have experienced complex trauma, you understand the importance of building a team around the child/young person. Working holistically, you will ensure the home and support network contributes to their development, improves their long-term outlook while maintaining connections with birth families and culture. You can work in a fast-paced environment and adapt easily to change while always keeping the best interests and well-being of the children at the centre of what you do.

Duties

• Work with a range of designated clients. The number of clients will depend on factors such as phase of intervention, complexity, and geography. Practitioners may work with individuals, or multiple stakeholders relating to the child or young person, their birth family and foster and/or kinship carers.
• Engage with clients, including children, young people, and their families, utilising appropriate assessment and risk mitigation strategies.
• Conduct thorough assessments to develop, implement, and review client plans, ensuring active involvement of children and young people.
• Facilitate transparent communication by openly sharing client plans with clients and relevant agencies.
• Coordinate with various service providers to ensure comprehensive support delivery, including facilitating access to wrap-around services.

Our Benefits

We support people to live their best life. That includes you, our employee. A 'best life'is unique to everyone and can change as life changes:

• Salary Benefits-You can package up to $15,900 pa of your pre-tax salary to pay for everyday expenses before income tax is calculated, meaning you take home even more pay
• Work/Life Balance - Enjoy flexible work arrangements, including hybrid home/office options.
• Recognition and Reward - Sector competitive remuneration, various recognition programs and access to long service leave after 5 years.
• Wellness- Stay fit with a Fitness passport, utilise our Employee Assistance Program, and even purchase additional leave.
• Professional Development - We tailor career development opportunities to all employees and volunteers for career enrichment, fulfilment, and growth.
• Our Reconciliation Commitment – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees are entitled up to 2 days paid plus up to 10 days unpaid cultural leave, as well as the option to be a voice on reference networking groups, the opportunity for cultural and professional development that supports career pathways and your social and emotional wellbeing.

Skills and Experience

• Degree qualified in social work, early childhood, psychology or similar.
• At least 12 months case management experience working with at risk children, young people and/or families in a child protection focused role, including experience undertaking comprehensive assessments.
• Excellent understanding of child protection issues and client vulnerabilities such as drug and alcohol use, domestic violence, mental health issues, and the impact of trauma and the effect on child behaviour and development.
• Understanding of the needs of diverse communities such as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD), and gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTIQ+) communities.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Current Drivers Licence.
• Good relationship building skills with the ability to create strong working relationships with different stakeholders.

If you identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples, then we want to hear from you. The Benevolent Society recognises and values cultural knowledge and wisdom of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, we therefore strongly encourage you to apply. We are strongly committed to being an Employer of Choice, one who offers, provides, and practices cultural safety in our workplace.

Interested? Apply online today

Have a question? Contact Karen on for a confidential discussion.

The Benevolent Society respects and promotes human rights and diversity. We are committed to building an inclusive culture where individuals from all backgrounds and identities are not only welcomed but valued. We pride ourselves on being a client safe and child safe organisation, which is why all staff and volunteers undergo comprehensive employment screening. We value relationships with local Aboriginal community and welcome applications from its members. To ensure you are best supported with your application if you have any specific needs requiring a reasonable adjustment, let us know what accommodations you require.