Company description:

Department of Communities and Justice

Job description:

Manager Casework

High-Cost Emergency Arrangements Strategy Unit

Location: Parramatta
Ongoing Opportunity, Full-time
Grade 9 - $125,693 - $129,228 p.a. + superannuation and annual leave loading
Flexible work practices including work from home, flexible working hours, 35-hour week and flex leave

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.

HCEA Strategy Unit

The Intensive Foster Care Team is a newly created team within the HCEA Strategy Unit.

The HCEA Strategy Unit is made up of multiple teams who work together to achieve a reduction of the number of children and young people in HCEAs, scrutinise and reduce the costs associated with these arrangements and reduce the number of vacancies across the funded service system.

In addition, the project teams are working to increase placement supply and implement strategies to achieve stability within current out of home care (OOHC) placements.

Your role

As Manager Casework of the Intensive Foster Care Team, you will lead and actively support a team of caseworkers to undertake high-quality and culturally appropriate casework.

The Intensive Foster Care Program is a newly created team within the HCEA Strategy Unit working to increase placement supply by developing and piloting a DCJ-led Intensive Foster Care model. The team will be supporting the development and implementation of carer support strategies.

This is a fast paced, high-volume unit where you will work with people who are passionate about achieving better outcomes for children and their families

The role presents an opportunity for a Manager Casework to support the establishment of a new team and play a key role in leading the team to achieve its outcomes in supporting the placement safety, wellbeing and permanency for children and young people in OOHC.

You will provide visionary leadership and modelling/coaching role to the team, fostering a positive and productive work environment. Motivate and inspire team members to achieve high quality casework practice, uphold DCJ values, objectives and practice principles, and lead with cultural humility. A hands-on approach and collaborative mind set is key.

What we're looking for

The ideal candidate will have the following qualities:

• Demonstrated experience in leading and managing functional teams in a practice setting.
• Extensive experience in building effective relationships and applying courageous, evidence-based, best practice casework with children, young people, families and carers.
• Demonstrated experience in clear insightful evidence-based work
• Experience in achieving stability and permanency for children (relational, cultural and physical).
• Demonstrate inclusive behaviour and respect for diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives
• Knowledge of and willingness to work within a relational approach and multi-disciplinary team, and within a pilot setting.
• Strong knowledge and understanding of the child protection and OOHC system.
• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills supporting communication with a broad range of stakeholders including people from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.
• Valid driver's licence.
• Tertiary qualifications in a Social Work, Psychology, Social Science Welfare or related discipline with demonstrated commitment to ongoing professional development.

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

Download the role description

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.

What We Offer

We offer a variety of benefits, including:

• 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.

Want more information? Visit our website to see more information on Working for us.

We do work that really matters

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 an up-to-date résumé (maximum 5 pages) and a cover letter (maximum 3 pages) addressing the 2 targeted questions below with a brief outline on how you meet the requirements of the role:

1. This role requires the Manager to work closely with, advise and negotiate with senior managers including the Managers Client Services, Director Community Services/Principal Officers, the Executive District Director and central HCEA Strategy Unit. Please describe some of the challenges you might face and how you would overcome these. Describe a time when you done this in your previous work, what worked well and what you learned.
   
   
2. As a Manager Casework you will lead and manage a team who provide services to vulnerable children, young people and their families. Please describe how you have/would set performance expectations for a team and lead them to achieve these expectations.

Applications close - 11:59pm, Thursday, 3 July 2025.

Got a question?

For more information about the role or what it's like to work for DCJ, please contact the hiring manager Vicki Trigas on [email protected]

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 [email protected]

Visit Recruitment adjustments on the DCJ website to learn more.

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.

To find out what DCJ are doing to build an inclusive and diverse workforce, visit Inclusion and diversity on the DCJ website.

Other Information

A talent pool may be created for future ongoing and temporary roles and is valid for a period of up to 18 months.

For more information visit Your recruitment journey on the DCJ website.

Thank you for your interest in this role. We look forward to receiving your application.

To keep up with recruitment opportunities at DCJ, follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/CareersatDCJ/

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