Foster Care Recruitment and Assessment Worker

Make a lasting impact in the lives of Aboriginal children and families by supporting the recruitment, assessment, and development of foster carers in our Njernda Foster Care Program.

This role ensures carers are well-prepared, culturally safe, and supported to provide stable homes within the Njernda program.

Design and deliver community-focused recruitment strategies for new foster carers

Promote foster care at community events and through culturally appropriate materials

Conduct Step-by-Step carer assessments, screening, and home safety checks

Facilitate training and support groups, including Our Carers, Our Kids

Provide supervision, reviews, and ongoing support to carers

Relevant qualification in Social Work or Community Services

Strong assessment, engagement, and interviewing skills

Experience in foster care, out-of-home care, or child and family services

Understanding of Aboriginal culture, community, and the impacts of trauma

Excellent communication, relationship-building, and organisational skills

Essential:

Qualifications

• A recognised Social Work Degree or Diploma of Community Services qualification which includes:

a) A primary focus on child development, human behaviour, family dynamics and/or impacts of trauma; and

b) Preferably a practical component such as case work practice

• Completion or willingness to complete accredited Step-by-Step carer assessment training and Our Carers Our Kids Familiarisation facilitator training.

Skills

• Strong assessment, engagement and interviewing skills with the ability to sensitively gather, analyse and report on personal and household information.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the capacity to write detailed carer assessments and professional reports.

• High-level interpersonal and relationship-building skills, particularly in working respectfully with Aboriginal children, families and community.

• Ability to deliver training and facilitate group workshops for current and prospective carers.

• Strong organisational and time management skills with the ability to manage competing demands, deadlines and detailed compliance requirements.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) and data entry into client management systems.

• Sound understanding of Aboriginal communities, cultural identity, and the impact of intergenerational trauma, with the ability to support carers in providing culturally safe, respectful, and appropriate care for Aboriginal children and young people.

Experience

• Experience working in Out-of-Home Care, foster care, or a related child and family services role (preferably in an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation or similar setting).

• Demonstrated experience conducting carer assessments, supervision, or support using recognised frameworks (e.g. Step-by-Step).

• Experience in coordinating training and community engagement activities.

• Knowledge and understanding of the challenges and systemic barriers impacting Aboriginal children and carers within the child protection system.

• Experience working with multidisciplinary teams and external stakeholders including DFFH, Aboriginal organisations, and allied services.

Satisfactory evidence of:

• Pre-employment checks not limited to at least two professional referees
• Proof of identity and qualifications,
• National police check
• Working with Children's
• Full Victorian driver's license
• Disclosure of any pre-existing illness / injury
• Vaccination status in line with Njernda's current policy and procedure.

Apply now via Seek to help strengthen families and create safe, culturally connected futures for Aboriginal children.

Please address the selection criteria in your application, and supply a cover letter along with your resume with at least two referees.