Social Worker

About Us

See Differently supports people who are blind or have vision impairment to gain new skills, be engaged in life and grow confidence at home, at work and in their communities. Working together, See Differently supports a culture of participation, meaning and purpose with the understanding that small changes can often have a powerful impact.

We've been around for a long time – 140 years in fact. Over that time, we've seen and learnt a lot. That makes us the most experienced and knowledgeable provider of vision services in South Australia. But our range of services is also what makes us stand apart. Through our diverse range of services – from assistive technologies to guide dogs, we walk side-by-side with South Australians with blindness or low vision to create a new future.

The Opportunity:

We are seeking a highly motivated and detail-oriented Social Worker to join our team for a 12 month contract on a part-time basis (0.8 FTE). The successful candidate will be responsible for providing high quality case management services to people who are blind or vision impaired. The Social Worker will work closely with the Service Partners Team Manager to establish and maintain positive and productive relationships with internal and external stakeholders to ensure the effective delivery of services to See Differently clients. The role is based at Gilles Plains, with flexibility to work from our other sites at Pirie St, or Noarlunga from time to time.

Responsibilities:

• Provide targeted individual casework to people who are blind or vision impaired.
• Provide short term counselling services and where necessary refer clients to appropriate providers.
• Advocate to assist clients to manage their situations and take charge of their circumstances.
• Complete associated tasks of statistical recording and ensure client data is maintained in a confidential manner.
• Develop an accessible resource file directing clients to various support agencies locally, that can connect people who are blind, or vision impaired with available community resources.
• Develop and implement individualised goal/support plans, that are holistic, practical, and outcomes-driven ensuring alignment with their aspirations, abilities, and vision-related goals.
• Continuously evaluate the effectiveness of interventions and support services through ongoing monitoring and feedback from clients, adjusting plans as needed to optimize outcomes and promote client satisfaction.
• Stay abreast of developments in vision impairment research, assistive technologies, and best practices in counselling and social work, participating in professional development activities to enhance knowledge and skills in supporting vision-impaired individuals effectively.
• Participate in appropriate community networking meetings as required.
• Follow-up with clients and agencies as appropriate to document use/success of referral.
• Apply a high level of professional judgement and knowledge to provide a wide range of social work/counselling services to adults who are blind or vision impaired.

Skills and experience:

• Tertiary qualifications in Social Work and the ability to register with A.A.S.W.
• Experience in the provision of case management services, with the ability to produce clear, timely and concise documentation.
• Working knowledge of the local Aged Care and Disability Community Sector.
• Understanding of vision impairment and empathy for people who are blind or vision impaired.
• Strong commitment to principles of enhancing independence and client empowerment, choice, and control.
• Proven commitment to maintaining professional skills and knowledge.
• Well-developed customer relations skills and a commitment to providing quality service and implementing continuous improvement.
• Ability to effectively resolve conflict and difficult situations.
• Sensitivity to the needs of ageing persons, persons with a disability and of different social and cultural backgrounds.
• Possess a proven high-level knowledge of professional Social Work theory skills and practice.
• Ability to effectively manage dynamic workloads, plan, work and establish priorities effectively.
• Ability to collaborate with multiple stakeholders, including health professionals, case managers, family members, carers, and other internal service providers.
• Demonstrated effective and appropriate communication skills in all mediums to a wide range of stakeholders.
• A current SA Driver's License; and
• A current satisfactory National Police Clearance.

What we can offer you

• Flexible work arrangements
• Salary package up to $15,900 per annum to increase your take home pay plus $2,650 per annum for meals and entertainment (accommodation)
• A supportive, collaborative team environment
• Ongoing professional development
• Flexibility for work life balance
• 8 weeks paid parental leave for primary carers and 2 weeks for secondary carers
• Competitive remuneration commensurate with experience

As an organisation, we are committed to protecting children, young people and vulnerable adults and people with disability. All staff are required to work within our Code of Conduct, the NDIS Code of Conduct and undergo relevant pre-employment checks.