Caseworker – Permanency Support Program

Caseworker – Permanency Support Program (First Nations Targeted) This is a full-time permanent opportunity (35 hours per week) based in Dubbo, with some travel across the region As a Caseworker, you’ll be a key figure in a child’s life—supporting their safety, story, and connection. You’ll be responsible for coordinating care for children and young people in out-of-home care, with a strong focus on permanency, family, culture, 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, informal visits, appointments, and family time. You’ll also liaise with carers and birth families to ensure children stay connected with their broader family, community, and culture. We are particularly encouraging First Nations applicants to apply for this role. Cultural capability, lived experience, and strong community connections are highly valued and considered key to success in this role. 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 permanency and guardianship outcomes where appropriate. Collaborating with the clinical team on behaviour support planning. Navigating placement breakdowns and sourcing safe, culturally appropriate 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 10–12 children (depending on complexity). Completing a range of administrative and compliance‑related tasks that ensure quality care and protection for each child. About You Case management experience working with children, families, or communities—and the ability to bring cultural understanding, empathy, and practical problem‑solving to your work—is what matters most. You are passionate about keeping children safe while helping them maintain lifelong connections to family, mob, community, and culture. You have cultural knowledge or lived experience that helps you build strong, respectful relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and communities. 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 and a NSW Working With Children Check (or are willing to obtain one). Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander children and families are overrepresented in this program and within the child protection system. Appropriate cultural knowledge and understanding is important to deliver effectively in this role. Why Join Us At Uniting, we care for you while you care for others. Be part of a culturally safe, inclusive and supportive team that honours Aboriginal ways of being, knowing, and doing. Salary packaging benefits – increase your take‑home pay. Wellbeing support – tools and programs to support your physical and mental health. Professional and cultural development – ongoing training, cultural supervision, and career pathways. Inclusive and flexible workplace – we value your uniqueness and support work‑life balance. Ex‑gratia leave (up to 5 days per year), paid parental leave, and family violence leave. Hybrid work options and time‑in‑lieu to support flexibility. Generous above‑award pay rates and a $500 retention bonus. Be part of a Child Safe Organisation and a team committed to confronting injustice and supporting community wellbeing. About Uniting When you’re part of Uniting NSW.ACT, you’re part of a diverse, purpose‑led team of people making a real difference. 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. Our purpose is to inspire people, enliven communities, and confront injustice. We acknowledge 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. Interested? For more information, please contact Alex Sullivan from Uniting’s Talent Acquisition Team at *********@uniting.org or ***. Employment with Uniting is subject to satisfactory background checks, including National Police Check, Working With Children Check, and reference checks. Be careful - Don’t provide your bank or credit card details when applying for jobs. Don't transfer any money or complete suspicious online surveys. If you see something suspicious, report this job ad. #J-18808-Ljbffr