Placement Support Worker

 Placement Support Worker – Cairns

• Employment Term: Permanent Full-Time and Part-Time Opportunities Available 
• Location: Cairns and Greater Cairns Region 
• Remuneration: $97k + 11.5 % Super + NFP Salary Packaging

Make a meaningful difference with UnitingCare 

We’re looking for someone who wants to make the world a little better through small moments that leave big impacts. To build meaningful relationships and make a difference in the lives of others. 

An integral part of our Foster and Kinship Care program, as a Placement Support Worker you’ll be encouraged to grow, develop and feel empowered to make the everyday easier for the people we care so passionately about. 

Let’s make a meaningful difference, together.

Your part in our UnitingCare team

We are currently seeking an experienced Placement Support Worker to join our Foster and Kinship Care program in Far North Queensland.

This is a rewarding and challenging role where you will have a significant opportunity to make a positive difference in the lives of children, young people, carers and families who reside across Cairns and the Greater Cairns region including Innisfail, Atherton Tablelands and Mossman.

The purpose of this role is focused on conducting Foster and Kinship Care assessments, and to assist with the targeted recruitment and training of new and existing Carer households to meet the growing need for children and young people requiring family-based placements.

In addition, this role will involve delivering therapeutic support and case management to Foster and Kinship Carers and the children and young people in their care who may have complex trauma and behavioural needs.

You will also assist with the intake/referrals and matching of children to Carer households.

What makes a difference for us? 

• Demonstrated experience in child protection and delivering Foster and Kinship Care services to children and families
• Demonstrated experience in assessing complex needs of children and providing Carer supervision and therapeutic support to Carers
• Demonstrated experience in comprehensive assessment writing and case management
• Demonstrated experience working with children and young people who receive NDIS funding as well as children with complex trauma and behavioural and medical needs
• Tertiary qualification in a relevant field (e.g. Social Work, Psychology or Social Science)
• Current drivers licence and willingness to travel within Cairns and the greater region
• A current Blue Card or willingness to make an application for one
• Must also be willing to undergo a personal history check under the provision of the Child Protection Act 1999 in relation to Licensing of Care Services
• Certificate IV in Assessment and Workplace Training is desirable
• Participate in the after-hours on-call roster to provide carer support 24/7

What makes a difference for you? 

At UnitingCare we are leaders in crisis response, the protection of vulnerable children, financial resilience and family wellbeing. Our FaDS team work passionately across Queensland to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. 

• Flexible work arrangements to support work-life balance 
• Save tax and increase your take home pay by salary packaging your everyday living expenses and bills (up to $15,900) and meal entertainment (up to $2,650) per annum 
• A recognition and rewards platform, providing employee discounts at hundreds of retailers, including everyday expenses, holidays, health insurance, annual awards celebration, wellbeing and employee assistance programs 
• A positive and inclusive team based on respect, shared standards, strong values and a commitment to serving others 
• 12 weeks paid parental leave and 2 weeks paid partner leave, available after 6 months service, in addition to the government scheme 
• Diversity and inclusive leave, offering paid gender affirmation leave and cultural leave options (paid and unpaid) for those who may celebrate Lunar New Year, Diwali, Ramadan, NAIDOC weeks and other significant cultural events 
• Career development opportunities to challenge yourself, grow and make a meaningful difference  

Child safe, Child friendly

UnitingCare is committed to being a Child Safe, Child Friendly organisation and will: 

• provide welcoming, safe and nurturing services for children 
• implement measures to prevent child abuse and neglect within our services
• appropriately and immediately address child abuse and neglect if it does occur

Diversity & Inclusion  

Our approach is simple – everybody is welcome here.  At UnitingCare, diversity is at the core of our who we are, our mission and our values. We are committed to providing equal opportunities to all employees no matter their sex, race, culture, sexual orientation, disability or gender identity. Demonstrating our commitment to reconciliation and building long-term employment opportunities for First Nations peoples, UnitingCare strongly encourages Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants for this position.   

Safe workplace  

We work hard to make our services welcoming and safe for every person. We are united in keeping children, young people and the elderly safe from harm, within our services, workplaces and the communities we support. We are committed to speaking up loudly for their safety.