Case Worker (Permanency Support Program)

• Full Time – 12 Months Contract, working 35/hrs per week with a possibility of extension
• Competitive salary for the right candidate plus Salary Packaging Options!
• Based in Bankstown with the opportunity to work from home, starting end of January 2022

About the Function (Multicultural Child and Family Program)

Every child has a right to a safe, happy, and permanent home connected to family, community and culture. When children under the age of 18 years, for safety reasons, cannot live with their family or carers we work with the Department of Community and Justice (DCJ) to support them be safe and work out the best options for their long-term care and wellbeing outcomes. This may include returning the children to their family’s care or being cared for by foster carers on a long-term basis.

SSI delivers a specialist out-of-home care and permanency support services that provides a culturally appropriate model for children and young people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds aged 0–18 years. We have a strong commitment to culturally responsive services. Wherever possible, as needed, we support children to be cared for by foster carers who sh are the same culture as the children or where this is not possible we maximise opportunities for children to be connected with their family’s ethnic backgrounds, religion/s and language/s.

About the role

We are currently looking for a resilient and energetic Caseworker to join our fantastic team in Bankstown. SSI is searching for candidates with previous experience in child protection or permanent support program experience and/or child or family from CALD backgrounds.

We encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to apply!

In this role, you will be required to work closely with children, their families and foster carers as well as DCJ and other organisations to help children understand why they are in care and be supported to meet their education, health, social and cultural needs.

Duties/responsibilities include (but not limited too) :

• Maintaining effective relationships with children, families and foster carers, collecting, assessing and documenting information about their safety and wellbeing. Helping to plan and support those involved in a child’s care respond to their needs;
• Conduct and be part of intensive home visits with families, provide educational, practical, social & emotional support to all parties;
• Working closely and collaboratively with partner agencies such as DCJ and various other internal and external service/support providers to ensure successful outcomes for children and their families;
• Maintaining accurate documentation in line with OCG standards and best practices relating to children’s care and case management;
• Taking responsibility for ongoing learning and professional reflective practices that assist maintain high standards in casework.

About you

The successful candidate will ideally have the following skills & experience:

• Tertiary qualification in social work, psychology, welfare/community services or a related discipline;
• Demonstrated experience of working with vulnerable children, young people and their families;
• Knowledge of current child protection legislation/framework and out of home care practice models;
• Demonstrated skills in preparing and writing high quality case plans and assessment reports;
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to build long-lasting relationships;
• A full unrestricted NSW drivers’ licence;

If you have previously worked with culturally and linguistically diverse communities and you have an approachable nature coupled with strong administration and written communication skill you will succeed in this role.

About our Benefits

• Salary packaging options to receive up to $15,900 of your salary tax-free meaning more take-home pay!
• Industry leading flexible working arrangement supported to work from home and office, including 9-day fortnight;
• Access to in-house training and learning opportunities for professional development and growth;
• Access to our inhouse wellbeing programs, three days of culture and well-being leave
• Working alongside professional and dedicated team members all wanting to make a difference in our communities.