• 75 hours per fortnight, continuing position
• Footscray
• Take the next step in your career with CatholicCare Victoria

About the Position

The Adoption and Permanent Care Program is Victoria’s only state-wide service that assists parents who are considering placing their child for adoption, or who are required to place their child in permanent care. We also assist families who are seeking to become adoptive and permanent care parents.

Our services are child-focused and aim to meet every child’s needs in the best possible way. We have an Adoption Information Service providing information about past adoptions arranged by our agency.

This position will provide a State-Wide full case management service to adoptive persons, infants and children who require placement through adoption or permanent care; including counselling and support for their biological families, and recruitment, training and assessment of potential caregiver applicants.

The position will organise and facilitate linking and transition processes for placements and to supervise and support caregivers and children in placement. As well as provide information, search and counselling services to adoptees, adoptive parents, biological parents and relatives.

Specifically, the position is responsible for:

• Provide Adoption Information Services to people seeking information in relation to past adoptions
• Undertake detailed assessment, report writing and presentation of adoptive and permanent care applicants to an Accreditation Panel
• Plan and facilitate introduction of a child into a new family, supervise and support the placement as required
• Provide detailed clear and precise professional reports to the DFFH and attend the Children’s Court as required
• Liaise with the Department of Justice Community Services, and Department of Families, Fairness and Housing personnel and other stakeholder agencies in relation to case management

To be considered for this position, you will require:

• Relevant tertiary qualification, preferably in Social Work, Psychology, or other similar related discipline
• Demonstrated track record and excellent skills in case management, assessment, counselling, and working with vulnerable infants, children, young people and their families/carers. Understanding of Permanent Care, and Adoption, as well as trauma, attachment and bonding
• Demonstrated ability to articulate and integrate theories of child development, attachment, loss and grief in relation to permanency planning for children.

About CatholicCare Victoria

CatholicCare Victoria is a leading and influential provider of charitable and social services in Victoria. The Mission of CatholicCare Victoria is to build communities that recognise and nurture the dignity of each person.

Our employees share our Mission for a stronger, more inclusive society through supporting individuals, families and communities in times of need, especially those who are most disadvantaged, vulnerable and/or marginalised.

We deliver excellence in a broad range of child, family and youth services, family relationship services, school counselling and pastoral care services, social housing, employment and advocacy services across various office locations and delivery sites in Victoria.

We draw on the principles of Catholic Social Teaching to inspire and direct our endeavours.

We value and respect human dignity, and embrace diversity in an inclusive work environment.

Working for CatholicCare Victoria

At CatholicCare Victoria we offer:

• A family friendly working environment.
• Training and development opportunities.
• Flexible working arrangements.
• Salary packaging for eligible staff.

We embrace, value and respect an inclusive environment where diversity is celebrated.

We are committed to the safety of children, young people and vulnerable adults.

We encourage talented people from all backgrounds, abilities and identities to apply. We strongly encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to apply.

For further information and how to apply, click Apply Now.

Enquiries to: Renu Barnes, Manager, Adoption and Permanent Care on 9689 3888.

Applications are required to be submitted via clicking Apply Now for your application to be considered.

Please ensure your application includes your resume and a cover letter detailing a summary of your experience relevant to the position as per the position description which is attached to the advertisement on our website.

The successful applicant must have right to work in Australia.

Should you require cultural or other support in submitting your application, please contact our People and Culture Department on 03 5337 8999.

Should you require information in alternative formats, please contact our People and Culture Department on 03 5337 8999.

Directions from Victoria’s Chief Health Officer require all CatholicCare Victoria workers to be fully vaccinated, unless they are an Excepted Person as defined by the COVID-19 Mandatory Vaccination (Workers) Directions. All applicants must therefore be able to comply with this requirement.