At a Glance
- Tasks: Support vulnerable children and families through assessments and urgent assistance.
- Company: Join the Department of Communities and Justice, making a real difference.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible work environment, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for growth and collaboration with various agencies.
- Why this job: Be part of a team that truly impacts lives and supports community wellbeing.
- Qualifications: Bachelor’s or Master’s in Social Work or related fields; experience with vulnerable groups preferred.
The predicted salary is between 37000 - 44962 £ per year.
Location: Liverpool
Employment type: Ongoing
Salary: $89,934 – $116,969 pa plus superannuation and annual leave loading
We are recruiting to several roles in our Child Protection Helpline and After-Hours Response team. This is a targeted recruitment. While all applicants are welcome, preference will be given to candidates who meet the established standards of the role and are of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent. This is because the Department acknowledges this lived experience contributes a perspective valuable to our work with this community.
Your role
After Hours Response team
The After Hours Response Team (AHRT) provides a range of After Hours services, working in partnership with parents and carers, extended family members and services to meet the immediate safety needs of children and young people. The AHRT provides face to face field responses to children and young people in the metropolitan area and works with regional on call teams to provide an after-hours child protection response across NSW, from 4.30pm to 6am on Monday to Friday and 24 hours on weekends and public holidays.
The team undertakes assessments and responses to children and young people who are at suspected risk of significant harm and/or families who are requesting urgent assistance. The team will work closely with other agencies including NSW Police, NSW Health, Non-Government organisations and Interstate Agencies to keep children and young people safe after hours.
Child Protection Helpline
The Child Protection Helpline is a 24-by-7 call/contact centre where staff are assigned shifts according to business requirement, spanning all days and around-the-clock start times. The Child Protection Helpline receives calls and e-Reports relating to the suspected abuse and/or neglect of children and young people, as well as general inquiries about the Department.
What you’ll do
As a member of the AHRT you will:
- Work in accordance with legislative and policy requirements
- Work sensitively and respectfully with children or young people, parents, family members
- Work collaboratively with other agencies and engage in complex problem solving
- Assist families in meeting their immediate needs, addressing safety and well-being concerns, and providing appropriate assistance through home visits
- Develop safety plans and complete risk assessments
- Manage short term intervention including situations that involve working with high needs and high-risk clients and their families
- Participate in individual and group supervision
As a member of the Child Protection Helpline, you will:
- Take reports of child abuse and/or neglect from members of the public and mandatory reporters such as police, education professionals, health workers, and/or childcare providers
- Build relationships with key stakeholders to support and strengthen families
- Respond to general enquiries from the public, community partners and child and family protection professionals
- Undertake initial assessments before referring reports to a Community Services Centre (CSC) for further review and response
What we’re looking for
- Completed Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Social Work, Social Science and Welfare. Other related degrees are considered, if you can demonstrate your knowledge skills and experience working with vulnerable children, young people and families
- As an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Caseworker, you will need to have a connection to, and at least two years’ experience working with Aboriginal families, children, and/or communities
- Relevant experience in child protection, Out of Home Care, or provision of casework in another setting
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, and the ability to build positive working relationships
- A valid driver’s licence (P1 or above)
- A paid working with children clearance number
- Ability to undertake shift work during the hours of operation
- On site in attendance in Liverpool, NSW is required
Being a Helpline Caseworker requires resilience, tenacity and compassion to support children and families living in varied and challenging circumstances. Undertaking initial assessments of significant child protection concerns and potential risks can be confronting; however, the rewards for ensuring the best outcomes for a child can be limitless.
What We Offer
- A challenging and rewarding career
- Flexible, autonomous work environment
- Competitive pay and conditions
- Training and development opportunities to build and maintain capabilities
- Health & Wellbeing and Employee Assistance Programs
We focus on hiring people who share our commitment and goals of inclusion, collaboration, adaptability, courage and integrity. If you meet the essential requirements and the role resonates with you, please apply – you do not need to meet every desired requirement for us to want to talk to you.
A talent pool may be created for future ongoing and temporary roles and is valid for a period of up to 18 months.
Thank you for your interest in this role. We look forward to receiving your application.
Child Protection Caseworker (Helpline & After Hours) in Liverpool employer: City of Sydney
Working as a Child Protection Caseworker with the Department of Communities and Justice in Liverpool offers a fulfilling career dedicated to making a real difference in the lives of children and families. The organisation fosters a supportive and inclusive work culture, providing flexible working conditions, competitive pay, and extensive training opportunities to enhance your professional growth. Join a team that values collaboration and resilience, where your contributions are recognised and rewarded, and where you can truly impact your community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Child Protection Caseworker (Helpline & After Hours) in Liverpool
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at City of Sydney.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from City of Sydney!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like City of Sydney, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at City of Sydney or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Child Protection Caseworker (Helpline & After Hours) in Liverpool
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to City of Sydney:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to City of Sydney! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at City of Sydney
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
