Intensive Family Preservation Caseworker - Permanent Full Time - Blacktown

The Intensive Family Preservation Team provides a critical role in supporting families who are involved with the child protection system to remain together safely. This program is a critical component of the new Intensive Therapeutic Care model.
Job Description
Primary accountabilities of the role of Caseworker include, but are not limited to:

• Develop, facilitate, and monitor all aspects of case work, including referral, assessment, intake, case plan, review and exit planning.
• Maintain practice standards in accordance with the program.
• Provide casework and other therapeutic services to families at risk of having a child removed by DCJ.
• Undertake needs assessments and make referrals to other agencies for clients whose needs cannot be met by Marist 180 services and programs.
• Provide specialist casework advice in planning, implementing, and monitoring towards DCJ case plans of children, young people, and families within the Intensive Family Preservation Program
• Work in collaboration under the Care Team approach with other agencies, relevant professionals, children, young people, families, and appropriate cultural community representatives to ensure that all relevant parties are involved in case planning and review processes.
• Maintain accurate and professional comprehensive family files in line with Marist 180 policy and procedures, including case recording, assessments, and case plans.
• Build and maintain a comprehensive knowledge of services provided by other government departments, non-government agencies and informal community groups.
• Write monthly progress reports to DCJ updating them on the families' goals.
• Provide evidence informed therapeutic support to clients, such as: active listening, normalizing, behavior sequencing, and challenging, scaling, and circular questioning to assess needs.
• Adhere to all relevant legislation including the Children and Young Persons Care and Protection Act (1998)

Desired Skills and Experience
Qualifications:

• Degree in Social Work or Psychology, and previous experience working within the child protection sector.

Experience & Skills:

• Desirable experience working with families or within vulnerable communities.
• Previous experience in residential or foster care contexts and understanding of child development.
• Caseworker will need to be confident and independent to work in family homes involved in child protection matters and risk assess safety.
• Experience working with linguistically and culturally diverse communities.
• Comprehensive knowledge of child protection and social services practices or policies
• The ability to work autonomously and contribute to an effective team environment.
• High standard of professional ethical behaviour and sound understanding of boundary issues
• Good written and verbal communication as monthly report writing is required.

Work Requirement:

• Current First Aid and CPR certificate.
• Current Working with Children Check.
• Clear National Criminal History Check.
• Unrestricted driver's licence.
• Eligibility to work in Australia.
• Provide M180 consent to complete a verification of the Residential Care Workers Register managed by the Office of the Children's Guardian

Marist180 is committed to building a diverse and inclusive culture across the agency. We welcome and encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applications who meet the requirements of the position from diverse community groups and ages including people with disabilities and other diversity groups. Marist180 recognises the benefits that such an approach brings for our staff and clients within our programs.
Applicants who have training and experience in working in OOHC, disability services, drug and alcohol, mental health and juvenile criminal justice will be highly regarded.
How to apply
Click “Apply Now” to submit your online application, please include a resume and a cover letter describing how you meet the essential criteria.
For more information about the role please email recruitment@m180.org.au
ONLY SHORTLISTED APPLICANTS WILL BE CONTACTED