PFT Senior Caseworker - ITC & TCH Programme

"The position oversees the Greater Sydney region (with regular travel across Western Sydney and South West Sydney) however, it is primarily based at the Blacktown office."

About Marist180

Marist180 is a child-safe organisation. We are committed to prioritising the safety, wellbeing, rights and voices of children and young people in everything we do. We expect all employees to actively contribute to a culture where child safety is understood, championed and everyone takes responsibility for identifying, reporting and responding to concerns. We are currently seeking an experienced and passionate Senior Caseworker to join our Intensive Therapeutic Care (ITC) and Therapeutic Care Home (TCH) programs.

About the Role

The Senior Caseworker plays a key role in strengthening case management practice across our therapeutic residential services. This position provides professional leadership, reflective supervision, coaching and support to Caseworkers, ensuring high-quality, consistent and trauma-informed practice. Working closely with the Area Manager, Senior Therapeutic Specialists and program teams, the Senior Caseworker will support the development of contemporary case management approaches, identify opportunities for practice improvement and contribute to positive outcomes for children and young people. 

Primary accountabilities will include but are not limited to:

• Provide leadership, coaching and reflective supervision to Caseworkers to support high-quality therapeutic case management practice.
• Coordinate holistic assessments of children and young people, including safety, wellbeing and permanency needs.
• Support case planning and permanency planning processes with young people, families and key stakeholders.
• Ensure case plans, cultural plans, leaving care plans and other required documentation are completed to a high standard and within required timeframes.
• Build and maintain strong therapeutic relationships with young people and their families.
• Support young people to identify goals, aspirations and pathways towards positive outcomes.
• Work collaboratively with families, carers, schools, therapists, DCJ, Community Services and other external stakeholders.
• Drive timely permanency outcomes including restoration, guardianship and alternative permanency pathways.
• Support Family Finding activities and explore opportunities for safe and sustainable connections.
• Provide guidance and support to Caseworkers managing complex cases.
• Assist with complex case applications and risk assessments.
• Lead and support responses to critical incidents, providing guidance to staff during challenging situations.
• Monitor casework performance indicators, identify trends and contribute to continuous improvement.
• Promote culturally safe practice, including oversight of Cultural Plans and adherence to the Aboriginal Child Placement Principle.
• Maintain a reduced caseload while providing leadership and support to the wider casework team.
• Actively contribute to a child-safe organisation by championing the safety, wellbeing, rights and voices of children and young people; recognising and reporting child-safety concerns; and contributing to an open, accountable and learning culture where concerns, incidents and feedback are used to strengthen practice and prevent harm.

Qualifications:

• Relevant tertiary degree qualification (Social Work, Psychology or equivalent). 

Experience & Skills:

• Minimum four years' post-graduation case management experience.
• Demonstrated experience working with children, young people and families involved with the child protection system.
• Experience working with young people who have experienced complex trauma.
• Previous experience providing supervision, mentoring or guidance to other staff.
• Strong knowledge of contemporary case management practices and trauma-informed approaches.
• Excellent communication, relationship-building and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities.
• Ability to work independently while contributing positively within a multidisciplinary team.

Desirable Experience:

• Experience working within Out of Home Care, Intensive Therapeutic Care or residential care environments.
• Knowledge of NSW Child Safe Standards for Statutory Out-of-Home Care.
• Understanding of relevant child protection legislation and professional practice standards.
• Experience working within mental health, disability, drug and alcohol or other community service environments.

Essential Requirements:

• Current First Aid and CPR Certificate.
• Current Working with Children Check.
• National Criminal History Check.
• Unrestricted NSW Driver Licence.
• Eligibility to work in Australia.
• Willingness to provide consent for Residential Care Workers Register verification through the Office of the Children's Guardian.

At Marist180, you will receive:

• A comprehensive orientation and training program.
• Ongoing professional development and mentoring throughout your career journey.
• Access to an Employee Assistance Program with 24/7 wellbeing and crisis support for you and your family.

Marist 180 provide Equal Employment Opportunities for everyone. We value the benefits of diversity and strongly encourage applications from people with disabilities, mental health as well as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander background, people from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds and mature aged applicants.

ONLY SHORTLISTED APPLICANTS WILL BE CONTACTED