Child & Family Case Worker - Intensive Family Support Service

Employment Term: 12 month maximum term with the possibility for extension

Location: Based in Underwood with outreach across Logan.

Remuneration: From $97k + 11.5% Super + $15,900 Not for Profit Salary Packaging

Make a meaningful difference with UnitingCare

At UnitingCare we are leaders in crisis response, the protection of vulnerable people and children, financial resilience and family wellbeing. Our FaDS (Family and Disability Services) team work passionately across Queensland to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.

As a Child & Family Case Worker, you’ll be encouraged to grow, develop and feel empowered to make the everyday easier for the people we care so passionately about. Let’s make a meaningful difference, together!

The Intensive Family Support Service assists complex, vulnerable families who are at risk of entering the Child Protection system. In 2022 our Logan team provided support to 300 families, including over 750 children.

We are a voluntary service who visits families in their homes approximately once a week for up to 12 months, enabling us to work together to keep children safe and achieve family goals. We provide tailored case management support to address goals through a range of interventions from therapeutic, educational, advocacy, in-home practical activities and referrals. We respect people’s rights, values, beliefs and culture and recognise that families play a critical role in their children’s growth, development, learning and sense of belonging.

The program has a range of Specialist Workers covering Domestic Family Violence, Intake, Culture, and Community Development who consult and support the team in achieving better outcomes for our families. The IFS team engage in monthly supervision and monthly group practice reflection sessions to build individual and team skills. There are also opportunities to participate in professional development.

This is an identified position in line with UnitingCare’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples Workforce Strategy which aims to increase the representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees in all areas of our organisation. For this position, it is an equal opportunity measure that applicants must be of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent as per section 105 of the Queensland Anti-Discrimination Act (1991).

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Provide case management in a fast paced, high volume work environment including documenting assessments, developing and actioning family case plans that address parenting concerns and child wellbeing.

Provide active co-ordination and lead case management to ensure families and / or individual family members, particularly children or young people, receive the right mix of services in a timely manner. These supports are inclusive, co-ordinated, intensive, collaborative, and aimed to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the child.

Conduct risk assessments and safety planning, particularly where children are at risk of harm or when domestic family violence is occurring.

Build on parent and family knowledge, skills and supports to meet the needs of the child, optimise their development and ability to participate in family and community life.

Develop and maintain positive relationships with other service providers, Government Departments and Community Agencies to facilitate positive client outcomes.

Work in accordance with relevant Quality and Risk Frameworks, guidelines, and Acts.

What makes a difference for us?

To be successful in this role you must have:

A tertiary qualification (minimum Bachelor Degree) in Social Work, Human Services, and Psychology OR in a related discipline with substantial experience, knowledge and skills to perform the role.

Current QLD working with children check (Blue Card).

Current open QLD drivers licence.

Eligibility to work in Australia.

Appointment to the role is subject to the following:

Ideally have a minimum of 2 years’ experience working with children, young people and families with complex needs, including child protection.

A sound knowledge and understanding of Domestic Family Violence and the impact on children.

An understanding of First Nations peoples, cultures and society, and the issues which impact them, with a commitment to culturally safe practice.

A sound knowledge and understanding in Attachment Theory, Trauma-informed practice, and Child Development.

Tell us why you are interested in this position

Please include in your cover letter response how you utilise your skills and experience in the following areas:

Demonstrated skills and sound knowledge gained through experience working with First Nations children, families and communities. Ideally you will have a minimum of 2 years’ experience in this area of work.

Sound knowledge of, and demonstrated ability to utilise, therapeutic processes and practices, particularly in relation to child protection in culturally sensitive approach.

Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills with culturally appropriate frameworks and practices, that are congruent with a strengths approach and demonstrate professional integrity, with respect to such matters as confidentiality and client interests.

Demonstrated ability to work alongside less experienced staff in a coaching/mentoring capacity and to work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders.

Demonstrated ability to work in ways that are innovative, inclusive and culturally appropriate for First Nations and culturally and linguistically diverse groups.

Demonstrated experience in case management and ability to manage and maintain client documentation to a high standard.

What makes a difference for you?

Flexible work arrangements to support work-life balance

NFP Salary Packaging: Save tax and increase your take home pay by salary packaging your everyday living expenses and bills (up to $15,900) and meal entertainment (up to $2,650) per annum. To learn more about this benefit watch the video via the following link: Salary Packaging Explained

A recognition and rewards platform, providing employee discounts at hundreds of retailers, including everyday expenses, holidays, health insurance, annual awards celebration, wellbeing and employee assistance programs

12 weeks paid parental leave and 2 weeks paid partner leave, available after 6 months service, in addition to the government scheme

Diversity and inclusive leave, offering paid gender affirmation leave and cultural leave options (paid and unpaid) for those who may celebrate Lunar New Year, Diwali, Ramadan, NAIDOC weeks and other significant cultural events

Career development opportunities to challenge yourself, grow and make a meaningful difference

A positive and inclusive team based on respect, shared standards, strong values and a commitment to serving others

We’d love you to be part of our UnitingCare family

Joining our FaDS, team, you’ll also be welcomed as part of the UnitingCare family. The second-largest Queensland employer, we’re a proud not-for-profit with more than 16,500 staff and 9,000 volunteers across our brands of BlueCare, Lifeline, ARRCS, The Wesley Hospital, Buderim Private Hospital, St Stephen’s Hospital, and St Andrew’s War Memorial Hospital, and have been leading by example for more than 100 years.

Child safe, Child friendly

UnitingCare is committed to being a Child Safe, Child Friendly organisation and will:

provide welcoming, safe and nurturing services for children

implement measures to prevent child abuse and neglect within our services

appropriately and immediately address child abuse and neglect if it does occur

Diversity & Inclusion

Our approach is simple – everybody is welcome here. At UnitingCare, diversity is at the core of our who we are, our mission and our values. We are committed to providing equal opportunities to all employees no matter their sex, race, culture, sexual orientation, disability or gender identity. Demonstrating our commitment to reconciliation and building long-term employment opportunities for First Nations peoples, UnitingCare strongly encourages Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants for this position.

Safe workplace

We work hard to make our services welcoming and safe for every person. We are united in keeping children, young people and the elderly safe from harm, within our services, workplaces and the communities we support. We are committed to speaking up loudly for their safety.