At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to empower vulnerable children and families through effective casework management.
- Company: Join the Department of Communities and Justice, making a real difference in people's lives.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible work hours, competitive pay, and generous annual leave.
- Other info: Opportunities for professional development and a supportive, inclusive work environment.
- Why this job: Be a compassionate leader and create positive change in your community.
- Qualifications: Tertiary qualifications in Social Work or related fields and experience in casework management.
The predicted salary is between 133348 - 146945 £ per year.
Talent pool creation for Western Sydney Nepean Blue Mountains, South West Sydney and Sydney, South Eastern Sydney, Northern Sydney districts.
Grade 9/10 - $133,348 - $146,945 pa + superannuation and annual leave loading.
Flexible work practices including work from home, flexible working hours, 35-hour week and flex leave.
Your role
Our Community Service Centres (CSC) are looking for committed, compassionate, and resilient leaders with a passion to empower people to improve the lives of children and families in NSW. The Manager Casework role requires you to have a mix of knowledge, skills and values to empower, mentor and provide strategic direction to a team of Caseworkers and Casework Support Workers.
What you’ll do
As a Manager of our CSC, you will monitor and establish daily priorities and resource allocations for Caseworkers. You will ensure the implementation of high-quality work that meets best practice standards to improve the life experiences of vulnerable children, young people, and families at risk.
Your day-to-day duties may include:
- Practising effective group and individual supervision.
- Leading practice change and implementation through feedback on casework, and coaching support.
- Quality assurance of records for children and young people in Out of Home care to ensure case practice aligns with the standards of the office of the Children’s Guardian.
- Preparation and review legal documentation, briefings and correspondence ensuring responses are accurate.
- Initiating court proceedings as the official applicant and providing support and guidance to caseworkers in matters such as appeal proceedings in District and Supreme Courts in a timely manner.
- Managing and supporting staff with time frames, work allocation and performance management when required.
- Ongoing professional development and collaboration across the agency and with community partners.
- Contributing to operational and policy issues and change management strategies which support the agency goals and objectives.
- Consulting with management on a suitable course of action in matters that are sensitive, high-risk or business-critical.
What we’re looking for
Tertiary qualifications in Social Work, Psychology, Social Science, Welfare or a related discipline. Extensive experience in applying best practice casework with children, young people and their families. Experience leading and managing teams in complex and challenging situations, including a high-volume work area. A demonstrated understanding of trauma informed care and the impact poverty, trauma and violence has on children and their families. Current driver’s licence as occasional travel will be required.
Appointments are subject to reference checks and the following pre-employment checks:
- National Criminal History Record Check in accordance with the Disability Inclusion Act 2014.
- Working with Children Check clearance in accordance with the Child Protection (Working with Children) Act 2012.
What We Offer
We offer a variety of benefits, including:
- 4 weeks annual leave.
- Remote area allowance based on location.
- 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.
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.
Applications close - Sunday, 02 August 2026 at 11:59pm AEST.
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, please contact Peter Luong on Peter.Luong1@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.
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.
Manager Casework in Penrith employer: NSW Department of Communities and Justice
The Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) is an exceptional employer, particularly for Aboriginal Child Protection Caseworkers in South Western Sydney, offering a meaningful career dedicated to supporting families and communities. With a strong focus on cultural connection, employee wellbeing, and professional development, DCJ fosters a collaborative work environment where your contributions can lead to real change. Enjoy competitive pay, flexible working conditions, and the opportunity to make a lasting impact in the lives of children and families.
Contact Details:
NSW Department of Communities and Justice Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Manager Casework in Penrith
✨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 Manager Casework in Penrith
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.
