Centacare Catholic Family Services works on behalf of the community in the Archdiocese of Melbourne.  We seek to achieve "life to the full" for those who are vulnerable or disadvantaged through:

• Provision of services that improve the lives of those in need
• A focus on the prevention of further social need
• Advocacy for greater opportunity and fairer social structures

This position would suit an insightful practitioner who is required to provide full case management services 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. 

Both junior and more experienced practitioners are encouraged to apply since we currently have several appointment levels to consider.

The successful applicant must have:

• Degree in Social Work or Psychology and eligibility for membership of the AASW or APS
• Demonstrated track record and excellent skills in case management, assessment, counselling, conflict resolution and working with vulnerable infants, children, young people and their families/carers.
• Well developed knowledge and understanding of child and family dynamics, including child developmental needs.
• Demonstrated ability to articulate and integrate theories of child development, attachment, loss and grief in relation to permanency planning for children.
• Capacity to work collaboratively with clients, external stakeholders and internal staff

Knowledge of The Adoption Act 1984, the Children & Young Persons Act 1989 and the Children, Youth & Family Act 2005 will be favourably considered.

Position responsibities require that the incumbent:

• Provide Adoption Information Services to people seeking information in relation to past adoptions.
• Participate in information and educational sessions for prospective adoptive and permanent care applicants.
• Undertake detailed assessment, report writing and presentation of adoptive and permanent care applicants to an Accreditation Panel.
• Undertake detailed assessment of children referred for placement.
• Plan and facilitate introduction of a child into a new family, supervise and support the placement as required.
• Liaise with the DHS personnel and other stakeholder agencies in relation to case management.
• Provide detailed clear and precise professional reports to the DHS and attend the Children’s Court as required.
• Maintain up-to-date case notes, reports and files in a professional and timely manner.
• Participate in fortnightly professional supervision and professional development as agreed.

These are some of the requirements and more details about Centacare and this position may be found in the position description on our website:

www.centacaremelbourne.org.au

Centacare staff enjoy the benefits of  an Enterprise Agreement and Public Benevolent Institution tax status which allows staff to take home more net pay, and enjoy more leave entitlements.    

The successful candidate must be prepared to complete a Police Record Check and Working With Children Check.  

Centacare is an Equal Opportunity employer and values its multi-cultural and multi-denominational staff.

 Send your resume without delay;  we look forward to hearing from you.