At a Glance
- Tasks: Support families and children in need, ensuring their safety and wellbeing.
- Company: Join the Department of Communities and Justice, a leading public sector employer.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, flexible work, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace valuing diverse backgrounds and experiences.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of vulnerable children and families.
- Qualifications: Pursuing or completed a degree in social work or related fields.
The predicted salary is between 36840 - 40000 £ per year.
We are currently recruiting for vacancies and talent pool inclusions for Campbelltown, Liverpool, Ingleburn, Fairfield, Bankstown.
Employment type: Ongoing
Salary: $89,934 – $116,969 pa plus superannuation and annual leave loading
Your Role
DCJ is all about keeping families together so that children thrive at home. Our first priority is always the safety, welfare and wellbeing of the children or young person.
In this role, you will respond to reports about safety concerns surrounding children or young people who may have been harmed.
What you’ll do:
- Work sensitively and respectfully with parents, family members, children or young people.
- Work collaboratively with other agencies and engage in complex problem solving.
- Assist families in formulating goals that align with their needs, addressing safety and well-being concerns, and provide appropriate assistance through home visits.
- Develop safety plans and complete risk assessments.
- Manage cases and situations including working with high needs and high-risk clients and their families.
- Be involved in court processes, including the preparation of court documents and attending court.
- Participate in individual and group supervision.
Being a Child Protection Caseworker can be difficult. Sometimes, you may have to make tough decisions with families to help them overcome hardships in order to be able to care for their children and develop safe and loving homes.
What we’re looking for:
To be a Child Protection Caseworker you need to be confident, curious and resilient. The essential requirements include:
- Preferred Completed or in your final semester of a Bachelor’s or master’s degree in social work, Social Science and Welfare along with practical experience. (If you are in your final semester of university you will not be able to commence on duty if successful until you have completed your degree).
- Other related degrees are considered, if you can demonstrate your knowledge skills and experience working with vulnerable children, young people and families.
- 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.
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.
Working for the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) provides lots of opportunities to make a real difference. We collaborate with other agencies and community partners, to improve lives and realise the potential of children, adults, families and communities. We're focused on breaking, rather than managing, disadvantage. It’s work that really matters.
Apply now and join Australia’s top public sector employer where we will support you and provide an exciting and flexible working environment!
Are you ready to join us?
Click apply, attach a cover letter (maximum 2 pages) outlining how you meet the requirements of the role as well as an up-to-date résumé (maximum 5 pages).
If you’ve got a question about applying or would benefit from an adjustment in the recruitment process to help you perform at your best (including an alternate method submission of the application), please call Lujana Youkhanna on 02 9765 3769 or via Lujana.Youkhanna@dcj.nsw.gov.au.
Inclusion and Diversity lies at the heart of how we recruit. We continue to hire great people with a wide variety of skills, experience and backgrounds. This includes people with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, women, people identifying as LGBTIQ+, culturally and linguistically diverse people, carers and other diversity groups.
Thank you for your interest in this role. We look forward to receiving your application.
Child Protection Caseworker - South Western Sydney in Liverpool employer: NSW Department of Communities and Justice
Working as a Child Protection Caseworker with the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) in South Western Sydney offers a fulfilling career dedicated to making a real difference in the lives of children and families. With a strong focus on employee wellbeing, flexible work arrangements, and comprehensive training opportunities, DCJ fosters a supportive and collaborative work culture that empowers staff to thrive. Join us in a role where your contributions are valued, and you can help break the cycle of disadvantage while enjoying competitive pay and benefits.
Contact Details:
NSW Department of Communities and Justice Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Child Protection Caseworker - South Western Sydney 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 NSW Department of Communities and Justice.
✨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 NSW Department of Communities and Justice!
✨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 NSW Department of Communities and Justice, 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 NSW Department of Communities and Justice 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 - South Western Sydney 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 NSW Department of Communities and Justice:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to NSW Department of Communities and Justice! 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 NSW Department of Communities and Justice
✨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.