Case Manager - Foster Care

About the opportunity

We are seeking a full-time Foster Care Case Manager to join our Foster Care Team. This office-based role is responsible for providing case management support to Foster and Kinship Carers, and the children and young people placed in their homes. Working within a supportive and collaborative Foster Care Team, the case manager will play an important role in promoting safety, stability and positive outcomes for children and young people in care. The case manager will work closely with Foster and Kinship Carers, internal teams and external stakeholders to ensure children and young people receive the support they need to reach their full potential. Hours are 9.30am to 5.30pm.

 About the role

The Foster Care Case Manager will work in a collaborative team and play a key role in supporting Foster and Kinship Carers to provide safe, stable and nurturing home environments for children and young people with high to complex support needs.

Responsibilities will include:

• Providing support to Foster and Kinship Carers in the day-to-day care of children and young people.

• Undertaking all aspects of case management including assessment, planning, implementation and review of therapeutic strategies and support plans.

• Coordinating care teams and maintaining effective relationships with key stakeholders including Child Safety, Education, Health, NDIS providers and natural family members.

• Developing and implementing safety plans were required to support placement stability and wellbeing.

• Conducting a minimum of monthly home visits with Foster and Kinship Carers to monitor placements and provide ongoing support.

• Maintaining accurate, timely and compliant case notes, reports and documentation in accordance with program requirements, licensing obligations and HSQF standards.

• Supporting children and young people to achieve the best possible outcomes, including reunification, reconciliation and transition to independent living where appropriate.

• Participate in care team and stakeholder meetings, providing ongoing support to Foster and Kinship Carers to ensure placement needs are effectively met and placement stability is maintained, while ensuring the safety, wellbeing, and best interests of children and young people in care are consistently upheld.

Required

• Mandatory qualification – Cert IV or higher in a relevant human services discipline. 

• Knowledge and/or experience is desirable in working within the child protection system ideally with children/young people with high and complex needs.   

• Strong case management and administrative skills including commitment to monthly reports and minimum monthly visits Foster or Kinship Carers on site. 

• Highly developed written and verbal communication skills including an ability to problem solve across a wide variety of stakeholders including but not limited to Department of Child Safety, Education, Health and natural family as well as to attend and be a key representative at care team and stakeholder meetings. 

• Knowledge of the Child Protection Act 1999, or willingness to learn, in particular an understanding and willingness to support the foster carers to meet expectations as set out in the Statement of Standards Section 122 of the Act. 

• Willingness to comply with Policies and procedures of the organisation and ensure foster carers also comply with the relevant policies and procedures. 

• A sound understanding of Trauma and Attachment theories as well as the resilience to work with and support children and young people who have been exposed to trauma, violence, or neglect, or willingness to learn.

• Ability to effectively negotiate challenging or confronting situations.

• Demonstrated history of providing a high quality of care to clients.

• Ability to work as a valuable member of the Foster Care team to achieve program goals and objectives. 

 Also required:

• A Paid Blue Card

• Positive Suitability notice (Child Safety Personal History Check) or willingness to obtain

• Completion of Hope and Healing Framework training or the ability to complete

• Current valid driver's license

• Be able to provide 2 recent referees

Our Commitment

• Alternate Care is committed to being a child-safe organisation, prioritising the safety, wellbeing, and rights of all children and young people.

• We are proud to be an inclusive and culturally safe workplace where diversity is valued, every voice is respected, and everyone is supported to be themselves.

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Isander people are encouraged to apply.