• Job no: HQAED
• Category: Social Work
• Hybrid of WFH and office in Richmond, Wurundjeri Country
• Part time (0.7EFT - 7 day Fortnight), permanent role
• Salary package full time equivalent up to $102k pa pro rata (inclusive of base salary – $84k pa pro rata, super and salary packaging)

For over 140 years, Berry Street has adapted to a changing world, and we will continue to adapt to achieve our purpose. We believe children, young people and families should be safe, thriving and hopeful.

Our Vision for 2022: Together we will courageously change lives and reimagine service systems. We look forward to working with children, young people, families, carers, staff and partners to achieve this vision. Together.

The Opportunity

Berry Street's Organisational Effectiveness team consists of three streams: Quality, Knowledge & Outcomes and Risk & Past Client Services. 

The Past Client Services Officer role will be to respond to requests from past clients of Berry Street, Sutherland Homes and Lisa Lodge to access information held about their time in care or participation in one of our services. This will include, but is not necessarily limited to, liaising with past clients seeking to access their information, reviewing and preparing historical records and providing supported release.  

Key Responsibilities

This role will assist past clients to access their records and other material to gain a greater understanding of themselves, their childhood, their family and their time in care with Berry Street, Sutherland Homes and Lisa Lodge and collate and prepare files for past clients and care leavers in line with Privacy Legislation and Berry Street’s process and procedures. 

When required, within the context of current workload and in consultation with the Head of Risk, you will support the operations and response to past client complaints of Historical Abuse including requests for information as part of the National Redress Scheme and liaison and response to applicants request for a Direct Personal Response to be undertaken by members of the Berry Street Executive Management Team.

About You

You will have;

• A demonstrated understanding of the issues impacting on people who were clients of child welfare services including those who have experienced institutionalised abuse. 
• Knowledge and commitment to the rights of all care leavers to access their information. 
• Experience in records and information.
• A tertiary qualification in Social Work or similar, along with relevant experience in the sector.

The Benefits

• Additional salary packaging available for meals/accommodation.
• Flexible work arrangements and generous leave conditions.
• Access to the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), including access for staff members’ immediate family.

How to Apply

Applications including resume and cover letter addressing your suitability for the position to be submitted, applications will be reviewed upon receipt.

Queries to Clare Fulton, Senior Manager Child Safeguarding on 03 9429 9266.

A position description is attached.

Please Note; the successful applicant will be subject to comprehensive reference and background checking prior to employment, including a Working with Children Check and National Police Check.

Berry Street is committed to being a child safe, child friendly and child empowering organisation. In everything we do we seek to protect children. We are committed to the cultural safety of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children; children from culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds; children with a disability; children who identify as LGBTIQA+. We aim to ensure every individual is treated with dignity and respect regardless of their cultural background, ability, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, spirituality or religion.

Aboriginal people; people from culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds and people with a disability are encouraged to apply.

This position is considered authorised work and subject to mandatory Covid-19 vaccination and safety requirements. You will be asked about your vaccination or exemption status and any accompanying evidence should your application proceed.