• Full-time position based on Wonnarua Country in the East Maitland area, with time spent on Darkinjung Country
• $107k - $118k + Super + Salary Packaging 
• Flexible Friendly organisation, WFH options available 

Our Organisation

The Benevolent Society’s vision is to build a just society where all Australians can live their best life. For more than 200 years we have supported people at the margins of society: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians; children, young people, and their families; older people; carers and people with disability. We are an independent, non-religious service provider which supports people to live life their way.  

As part of The Benevolent Society's vision, we are strongly committed to reconciliation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people of Australia. We remain steadfast in our commitment to promoting the economic, political, and social inclusion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. 

About the role

Our Family Connect & Support (FCS) program has an exciting opportunity for an experienced and motivated professional to lead a team based out of our East Maitland Hub. The FCS program is funded by the NSW Government and helps vulnerable children, young people and families to connect with local support services. FCS assists children, young people and families experiencing life challenges to access specific and appropriate support services in their local communities and minimise the impacts from escalating to a point of crisis.

You'll lead a team of social workers and case workers to support at-risk families by providing assessments, advice, and referrals. You'll draw on your expertise in Child Protection and Family Support to ensure services are delivered effectively, improving family functioning and child wellbeing.

Duties

• Lead a team of approximately 10 Case Managers and Community Development Workers.
• Aspart of a supportive and creative leadership team you will champion service improvements and practice excellence to ensure the best outcomes for children and their families.
• Providing high level stakeholder management and represent The Benevolent Society locally incl. DCJ, schools and Child Wellbeing Unit.
• Maximise outcomes for staff and clients through collaboration, by capitalising on the practice experience, clinical support and strengths across The Benevolent Society.
• As a leader you will play an important role in fostering and supporting a positive, collaborative and outcome focused team culture.
• You will use your expertise to provide advice and assistance to team members in assessments of risk, safety planning and trauma informed decision-making for vulnerable children and their families.
• You will model and guide your team around the setting of professional boundaries with clients.

Our Benefits  

We support people to live their best life. That includes you, our employee. A ‘best life’ is unique to everyone and can change as life changes: 

• Salary Benefits - You can package up to $15,900 pa of your pre-tax salary to pay for everyday expenses before income tax is calculated, meaning you take home even more pay!
• Motor Vehicle Packaging Options – to suit your lifestyle.
• Work/Life Balance - Enjoy flexible work arrangements, including hybrid home/office options, and accrue an additional day off each month (a bonus of 12 days per year) as a full-time employee.
• Recognition and Reward - Sector competitive remuneration, various recognition programs and access to long service leave after 5 years.
• Wellness - Stay fit with a Fitness passport, utilise our Employee Assistance Program, and even purchase additional leave.
• Professional Development - We tailor career development opportunities to all employees and volunteers for career enrichment, fulfilment, and growth.
• Our Reconciliation Commitment – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees are entitled up to 2 days paid plus up to 10 days unpaid cultural leave, as well as the option to be a voice on reference networking groups, the opportunity for cultural and professional development.

Skills and Experience 

You will have a degree qualification in Social Work, Psychology or Community Development related discipline and:  

• People Leadership – at least 2 – 3 years experience building/maintaining an engaged, high performing team and developing their capability.
• Program Leadership - experience managing and leading programs in the Community Services sector.
• Practice Leadership - a passion for continuous improvement and implementing industry best practice into service delivery.
• Flexible & Collaborative Approach – lead this innovative team/program and engage a range of stakeholders.
• Excellent understanding of child protection issues & client vulnerabilities, and the impact of trauma and the effect on child behaviour and development.
• Strong skills and experience in assessing, identifying and addressing child protection concerns. 
• Ability to multi-task and prioritise in a fast-paced environment, ever changing environment.
• Holistic strengths-based approach to achieve lasting change.

If you identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples, then we want to hear from you. The Benevolent Society recognises and values cultural knowledge and wisdom of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, we therefore strongly encourage you to apply. We are strongly committed to being an Employer of Choice, one who offers, provides, and practices cultural safety in our workplace. 

Interested? Apply online today!  Please submit your current CV and cover letter outlining your suitability and interest in the role. 

If you have any questions, please contact Kylie on 0401 673 632 for a friendly, confidential discussion.

The Benevolent Society respects and promotes human rights and diversity. We are committed to building an inclusive culture where individuals from all backgrounds and identities are not only welcomed but valued. We pride ourselves on being a client safe and child safe organisation, which is why all staff and volunteers undergo comprehensive employment screening. We value relationships with local Aboriginal community and welcome applications from its members. To ensure you are best supported with your application if you have any specific needs requiring a reasonable adjustment, let us know what accommodations you require.

Click here for position profile