Why work with us:
Every child and young person deserves a great education.

We have a strategy that aims to unlock every child's potential now and into the future, one that in partnership with learners, students, parents and the wider South Australian community will build a world-leading public education system. One that is equitable and prioritises learning and wellbeing.

Together we will make our education system the best it can be

When our children and young people thrive, so do our communities and our state.

About the role:
Student Support Services collaborates with schools and preschools to support the needs of all children. The role involves participating in the implementation of a service model designed to deliver integrated and targeted services for children and young people with additional needs.

The increasing learner complexity is well-documented. More children and young people are being identified with complex learning difficulties and disabilities, often accompanied by conditions such as autism and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Behavioural issues are also becoming more complex, with comorbidity factors including trauma and mental health challenges. Addressing these needs requires specialised skills and expertise to identify and address underlying causes effectively.

The Social Worker (Children in Care) works with relevant agencies including Department for Child Protection as well as preschools and schools, to support children and young people in care, in collaboration with their support networks. The role involves developing evidence-based, trauma-informed interventions in collaboration with school and preschool staff. These interventions include proactive, targeted and intensive strategies that can be adapted for both learning and home contexts. The Social Worker also acts as an interagency link between the department and other agencies, ensuring comprehensive support for the child, young person and their carers.

Student Support Services are on a cultural response journey, as such we value and prioritise Aboriginal ways of knowing, doing and being.

What you will do (key outcomes)

Provide a range of professional and direct services across various settings, focused on children in care.

Liaise and collaborate with both government and non-government organisations to deliver services for children in care.

Contribute to the department's strategic information and role development by analysing and interpreting local data on children in care.

Contribute to discipline-specific and multi-professional research, service development, innovative practices and initiatives. This may include conducting research (under direction), analysing data, evaluating services, and developing recommendations to support management decision-making.

Undertake case coordination and management for learners requiring multiple services within and outside the agency, in collaboration with other team members.

Manage and prioritise your workload by developing workload management plans and efficiency initiatives, with support from the Senior Social Worker- Children in Care as required.

Seek client feedback on services and respond positively to complaints, and, if required, contribute to investigations into client complaints to inform systematic improvements.

Proactively seek opportunities to improve work practices and services by monitoring service access, outcomes, emerging trends, and community needs, and by contributing to ongoing service evaluation.

Work with the team to contribute to support positive culturally inclusive environments. Seek to better understand Aboriginal cultural perspectives and take steps to weave these into everyday practice.

Qualifications:
Essential: An appropriate degree or equivalent which gives eligibility for full membership of the Australian Association of Social Workers.
Desirable: Nil

Special conditions:
The successful applicant is required to gain a Department for Human Services (DHS) working with children check (WWCC) prior to being employed which is required to be renewed every five years before expiry.

The incumbent will be required to undertake RRHAN -EC (Responding to Risks of Harm, Abuse and Neglect - Education Care) Facilitator Lead (Masterclass) extended course or the online (Fundamentals) course which will be required to be updated every three years.

For all other Special Conditions please refer to the attached Position Description.

Enquiries:
Enquiries can be directed to Chelsea Carpenter, Senior Social Worker, via tel: (08) 8366 8898 or email: [email protected]

Further information:
Multiple contract positions available, including full-time and part time, initially for a 14-month term.

For further information and details on how to apply for this vacancy, please go to iworkfor.sa.gov.au and search for vacancy number 676395. Applications are to be made through the IWorkForSA website.

Applicants are required to submit a CV, the Application Cover Sheet, Employment Declaration, and a cover letter of no more than two pages addressing the key competencies in the attached position description.

The South Australian public sector promotes diversity and flexible ways of working including part-time. Applicants are encouraged to discuss the flexible working arrangements for this role.

People of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent and/or those who have a disability are strongly encouraged to apply.