Caseworker - Child Protection (Out of Home Care)

About the Role

This is a full-time (35 hours / week) 9-month contract opportunity based in Coffs Harbour with some travel across the area
- possibility for extension

As a Caseworker, you’ll be a key figure in a child’s life—supporting their safety, and their story.  You’ll be responsible for coordinating care for children and young people in out-of-home care, with a strong focus on permanency, cultural connection, and healing.

You’ll have control over your own schedule, allowing you to plan your work week based on the needs of the children, families, and carers you support. This includes conducting regular home visits, frequent informal visits, appointments, and family time. As well as liaising with carers and birth families, and ensuring lifelong connections are made and sustained with broader family.

About you in the role

• Developing and reviewing case plans and risk assessments.
• Supporting family time and building strong, culturally respectful relationships with birth families and extended kin.
• Working toward guardianship outcomes where appropriate.
• Collaborating with the clinical team on behaviour support planning.
• Navigating placement breakdowns and sourcing safe alternative placements.
• Drawing on your community connections and cultural knowledge to keep children close to their families, Country and culture.
• Managing a caseload of around 11 children (depending on complexity).
• Completing a range of administrative and compliance-related tasks that are part of ensuring quality care and protection for each child.

While core hours are 9am to 5pm, we know the work doesn’t always stick to the clock. That’s why we offer flexibility—when you support families outside of regular hours, you’ll be supported with time-in-lieu and flexible working options to help you maintain balance.

About You

• Relevant qualification in a community services field
• You are passionate about keeping children safe while helping them maintain lifelong connections to family, mob and culture.
• You thrive when working independently, planning your schedule and connecting with families face-to-face.
• You’re confident working through complex family situations, including trauma and placement changes.
• You’re a strong communicator who listens deeply, speaks with heart, and walks alongside people with respect.
• You hold a current driver’s licence

Why Join Us?

At Uniting, we care for you while you care for others.

• Salary packaging benefits – increase your take-home pay.
• Wellbeing support – tools and programs to support your physical and mental health.
• Professional development – ongoing training, supervision, and career pathways.
• Inclusive and flexible workplace – we value your uniqueness and support work-life balance.
• Be part of a Child Safe Organisation and a team committed to confronting injustice and supporting community wellbeing.

Should you have any questions, please contact Alex Sullivan from Uniting's Talent Acquisition Team at [email protected] / 0466801937  

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

Closing date: 11:55pm Monday 23^rd June 2025

About Uniting

When your part of Uniting NSW.ACT, you’re part of a diverse, purpose-led team of people who are really making a difference to the world around them.

We contribute to the work and mission of the Uniting Church in NSW and the ACT through social justice advocacy, community services and spiritual care. We provide care and support for people through all ages and stages of life, with a focus on people experiencing disadvantage and vulnerability. Our purpose is to inspire people, enliven communities and confront injustice.

Uniting leaders and employees work together to create a culture that is safe, inclusive and person-centred. We bring this to life every day through our values: compassionate, respectful, imaginative and bold.

Uniting acknowledges the continuing sovereignty and rich cultural diversity of Australia’s First Peoples. We pay our respects to all Elders – past, present, and emerging – and to all First Peoples on whose lands we live and work.

Uniting is a Child Safe Organisation committed to promoting the safety, wellbeing and inclusion of children and young people.