THE WELCOME EXPERIENCE

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The careers site currently promotes this service on the ‘Discover roles with DCJ in regional NSW’ page.

YOUR ROLE

The role provides casework to support children in OOHC to achieve permanency through adoption. NSW has ‘Open Adoption’ which means an open attitude and the sharing of time and information between two families. An open attitude helps adopted children to understand that they have more than one family, keep building relationships with family members through talking, messaging and spending time together, to feel free to talk about their family and culture, and share their thoughts and feelings about being adopted. Adoption caseworkers support children and their families with these relationships and discussions about family, culture and care experience and support the legal work required to file applications at the NSW Supreme Court.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

Senior Caseworker Responsibilities

• Provide advice and guidance to children and young people, families, DCJ district teams, NGO’s and other stakeholders.
• Provide adoption casework including work to support family time, cultural planning and legal orders.
• Provide case management to families considering adopting a child including oversight of the application and assessment process and the provision of training to applicants.
• Maintain and progress active adoption matters and be able to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Assist in the completion of the adoption application in conjunction with Legal Services and internal paralegals.
• Ensure accurate and thorough records are maintained on Child Story.
• Provide regular feedback on progress and status of cases to managers and colleagues as provided.
• Liaise with relevant non-government organisations where appropriate and provide relevant adoption training to those organisations when required. Also provide updated adoption specific training to DCJ staff.

Attendance at 6 Parramatta Square and other locations and districts within the state will be required throughout the year. In line with the NSW Premiers requirement for NSW Public Servants to work primarily from an office this role requires attendance at an office 50% of the week.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST IN THIS ROLE. WE LOOK FORWARD TO RECEIVING YOUR APPLICATION.

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To be successful in this role you will have well developed communication and analytical skills, an understanding of the impact of trauma and abuse on a child’s development and a passion for working with and learning from spirited children, young people, their families and our community partners. You will also have a:

• Completed bachelor’s degree in social work, Social Science, Community Welfare, Youth Work or a related discipline OR identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander with a strong connection to community
• Previous experience working within the Adoption or OOHC space
• A valid driver’s licence
• A paid Working with Children Check clearance numbe