About the Opportunity

This is a full-time (35-hour week) permanent opportunity based on NSW Mid North Coast with some flexible WFH options.

We are currently seeking a highly experienced and dedicated Specialist Aftercare Case Worker. This role will ideally be based in Port Macquarie with frequent travel across the Mid North Coast (Grafton – Forster).

Young people leaving care are one of the most vulnerable groups in NSW. This role is responsible for the provision of a responsive, flexible, client focused, intensive, trauma informed case work service for eligible young people who have left out of home care aged 18 - 25 in accordance with the FACS Guidelines.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide a trauma informed casework service to young people and adults who left out of home care, under the age of 25 years, to assist them to address barriers across all life domains and establish themselves in the community.
• Provide a client driven and person-centred services approach and a creative approach to find solutions with the young person to difficulties they face in life
• Provide advocacy, mentoring, practical support and crisis intervention to young people experiencing crisis.
• Assist the young person to manage intersecting complex issues including suicidal ideation, self-harm, mental health issues, drug and alcohol addiction, homelessness, sex abuse survival, contact with the justice and child protection system (own children), domestic and family violence, disability, etc.
• Provide ongoing support to ensure that they become, and continue, to manage independently.
• Establish and maintain networks to support a holistic service provision and collaborative working relationships with other providers and agencies across the local district region.
• Knowledge of, work with & advocate to different systems including health, education, justice and child protection etc.
• Advocate for the rights of young people in accordance with the NSW Children & Young Persons (Care & Protection) Act 1998.
• Establish an open and effective relationship with young people and utilise a strengths-based approach in all areas of practice, including case work and record keeping.
• Encourage and support young people to establish and maintain support networks within their families, carers, social groups and communities.
• Assist young people to gain an understanding of their personal histories.
• Prepare and review leaving care plans for eligible young people where there are barriers to them engaging in this activity with their OOHC providers.
• Review and respond to all incoming referrals in a timely manner
• Complete all necessary assessments and reporting to meet contractual obligations, including Personal Wellbeing Index assessment.
• Ensure Carelink is accurate and up to date.

What you need to succeed

• Relevant tertiary level qualifications including social sciences, welfare or other areas of study relevant to youth work sector
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in trauma informed specialist aftercare, out-of-home care/child protection case work or other relevant field.
• Knowledge and understanding of the complex need of young people leaving care or who have left care.
• Knowledge and experience in managing intersecting complex issues e.g. suicidal ideation, addiction, homelessness, contact with justice system etc.
• Demonstrated ability to build, develop and maintain constructive relationships with young people
• Demonstrated ability to work in an independent self-directed, flexible manner.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to write thorough case notes, be accurate with recording data and follow through on KPI’s.
• Demonstrated ability to advocate and collaborate for young care leavers with a wide range of government and non-government agencies to provide wrap around support.
• Must hold a C Class drivers’ licence and have a willingness to work flexible hours

Should you have any questions, please contact Alex Sullivan from Uniting’s Talent Acquisition Team on; 0466 801 937 / [email protected] using the subject line: Aftercare Caseworker - Mid North Coast enquiry via EthicalJobs for more information.

Employment with Uniting is subject to satisfactory background checks, which include National Police Checks, Working with Children Checks and Reference Checks.

At Uniting we believe vaccination to be the best way to keep our employees and clients safe from COVID-19.  We require all employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment.