Child Welfare, Youth & Family Services (Community Services & Development)
About Youturn
The individuals, families and communities we support are at the heart of everything we do at Youturn. We listen deeply – honouring every voice, story, culture and choice – through our core values of Integrity, Respect and Inclusion. We have a strong commitment to reflection and responsibility and are always curious and adapting through our Learning value. At Youturn, we believe in the importance of caring today for a better tomorrow, represented in our value of Stewardship.
Youturn is a community-based not-for-profit charity providing social, community, and health services across Australia. With more than 35 years of experience, we are a trusted provider supporting individuals and communities through life’s toughest moments, empowering people of all ages to live safe, connected, and meaningful lives. With compassion and equity at our core, we support people in the areas of housing, community and family support, mental health, and support for those bereaved or impacted by suicide.
The role of Case Officer is responsible for the delivery of quality services to Youturn clients through a client-centered framework, ensuring the needs and wishes of the clients are at the forefront of service delivery.
The Case Officer is required to undertake referrals and assessments, develop, assess and review support and case plans and work directly with clients. The Case Officer will work collaboratively with Support Workers, service providers and internal/external stakeholders, in order to provide the best possible outcomes for the clients.
Case Officers will work directly with clients that are experiencing multiple and/or complex needs, who may have children, who may be experiencing homelessness and/or may be in the care of the child protection system. The Case Officer is required to deliver support to increase life skill development, which may include parenting support, through tailored interventions to assist clients to build their own skills to keep themselves and their families safe and free from harm.
The role of the Case Officer is to ensure that the safety of the client and/or their children is paramount.
Key Responsibilities
Undertake assessments and develop tailored case plans that truly reflect the voices of our clients.
Deliver hands-on, trauma-informed support to strengthen parenting capacity and life skills.
Undertake assessments of client’s needs using the Common Assessment Tools and coordinate case management, regularly review case plans through liaison and collaboration with the Program Coordinator and/or Team Leader.
Liaise with Child Safety and other service partners to ensure safety remains paramount.
Collaborate with and external stakeholders to deliver integrated, community-based interventions.
Contribute to the development of an innovative and responsive program through data collection, creative thinking, and passionate participation.
Ensure culturally competent practice when working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and CALD families and by linking with the Cultural Support Worker and appropriate stakeholders.
Liaise with the Program Manager ensure case plan goals are on track with families.
Maintain key program deliverables as outlined in individual work plans and job descriptions.
Record all client data, case notes, reports, according to Youturn policies and procedures and funding body requirements, in a professional manner and within required time frames.
Represent Youturn Ltd and participate in relevant forums, meetings and networks related to the provision of support services for families and children.
General Duties
Maintain an open-minded and flexible approach to the work whilst maintaining the best practice principles contained within the Code of Conduct, policies and procedures of Youturn.
Contribute to a positive representation of Youturn through supportive and positive working relationships with staff, clients, stakeholders and the community.
Participate in individual supervision with the Line Manager, Program Coordinator or Program Manager.
Participate in service staff meetings with leadership and other staff as appropriate.
Attend and participate in training and professional development relevant to Youturn. as agreed as agreed with the line manager, program coordinator or program manager.
As an employee, work in a healthy and safe manner and encourage others to do the same; comply with all warning and safety signage; report or rectify any unsafe conditions; adhere to workplace health and safety policies and procedures.
Perform other reasonable duties as directed, that are within the employee’s skill, competence, training, and scope of the employee’s award classification.
From time to time, Youturn may require you to work in areas that are not your normal work areas and perform functions that are outside of your usual duties. Youturn may require you to do this so long as you have the skills and training to perform the functions that are outside of your normal work areas or usual duties.
Desired Skills and Experience
Essential Experience, Qualifications & Other Requirements
Essential
Tertiary qualifications in Social Work, Human Services, Psychology, or a related discipline (or equivalent relevant experience).
3+ years' experience supporting families and individuals with complex needs.
Strong knowledge of trauma-informed frameworks, risk assessment, and child protection practices (e.g. Safe & Together, Strengthening Families).
Confidence in undertaking unannounced home visits, cold calls, and assertive outreach.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including professional report writing.
Strong cultural competency and experience working with First Nations families.
A deep commitment to co-designing services with families, not for them.
Selection Criteria
Demonstrated experience in delivering client-centred case management for families with complex needs, ensuring safety and wellbeing are prioritised.
Strong understanding of issues impacting vulnerable families, including trauma, homelessness, and child protection, with the ability to interpret and apply relevant legislation and frameworks (e.g., Child Protection Act, Safe & Together model).
Proven ability to engage hard-to-reach families through assertive outreach, while maintaining professional boundaries and culturally competent practice, including working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families.
Experience in conducting safety and risk assessments, implementing safety planning, and managing behavioural or crisis situations effectively.
Highly developed written and verbal communication skills, including professional report writing and effective liaison with stakeholders such as Child Safety officers and community agencies.
Demonstrated ability to work as part of a professional team, taking a professional approach, acting in the best interest of Youturn Ltd and its clients and being able to demonstrate Youturn values.
Demonstrated competence in working with people, including those from diverse cultural backgrounds.
