Intensive Specialist - Specialist Care Leaver Program

Introduction:
CatholicCare has an exciting permanent part-time (4 days per week) opportunity for an Intensive Specialist to join our highly experienced Young Adult Services Team in the Specialist Care Leaver Program.

Benefits of Working With Us

• Directly contribute to improving the lives of many in the community.
• Receive an attractive salary with salary packaging available.
• Paid parental leave.
• Discounted gym membership through Fitness Passport (T&C’s apply).
• Ongoing training and development opportunities.
• A great friendly environment of dedicated and passionate co-workers.
• Enjoy up to 10% off at top retailers with our mnBenefits program.
• Corporate benefits, including EAP, flu shots and more.

Description:
POSITION DESCRIPTION

CatholicCare’s Intensive Specialist (Specialist Care Leaver Program, Young Adult Services) focusses on the provision of Specialist Aftercare Support to young people aged 18 to 24 years of age who have complex needs and leave statutory care with a previous CAT score of medium or high needs for ongoing assistance or who meet a specific eligibility criteria. In consultation with the Manager, the Intensive Specialist may also support high needs young people aged 17 years to support leaving care planning.

The program, funded by the Department of Communities & Justice (‘DCJ’), helps care leavers to achieve a successful transition to adulthood with positive life outcomes in all key domains. Services are delivered in a way that recognises the trauma experience and complex needs of care leavers; acknowledging that not all care leavers have a personal support network and that many may be reluctant to ask for help.

Intensive Specialists work flexibly to meet the individualised needs of care leavers through the provision of information and referrals, general aftercare support, intensive aftercare support, case management, advocacy, remote support, group work and mentoring. The services are focused on outcomes and successful transition to independence while supporting young people’s needs and self-determination in an individualised and trauma informed manner.

Skills and Experiences:
EXPERIENCE/CRITERIA

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, especially in relation to young people with complex trauma histories.
• The ability to work as part of a team and independently in the provision of proactive and responsive casework demonstrating use of initiative and sound judgement.
• Ability to prioritise, support and monitor progress of young people with complex needs to develop capacity and achieve Safety, Accommodation, Health, Education and training, Employment and Finances, Independent Living Skills, and Personal Identity, Relationships and Social Connection.
• A working knowledge of the legislation, policies and standards relevant to care leavers, child protection, statutory out-of-home care, the permanency support program, aftercare, and child safe organisations.
• Experience working with, or a demonstrated knowledge of cultural competence principles, relevant to engaging clients from diverse backgrounds, including First Nation people and those from a CALD background.
• Ability to support young people who have suffered additional complexities in care such as homelessness, mental health, AOD misuse, early school leavers, young people known to the justice system, and who face other additional barriers.
• Ability to plan, prepare and facilitate information and education sessions to care leavers utilising foundation skills in group work practice.
• A demonstrated commitment to work flexible hours and On-Call After Hours to meet the needs of children, young people, their family and Foster carers.
• Ability to demonstrate and work within the key accountabilities and inherent requirements of this position detailed in Section 12

QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum Diploma qualifications, in a Social Work, Psychology, Social Science, Welfare, or related discipline with demonstrated commitment to ongoing professional development.
• Current NSW driver’s licence and use of own vehicle with comprehensive car insurance.
• Demonstrated experience in facilitating evidence based educational group programs (Desired).

To Apply

Please provide a current copy of your Resume and a Cover Letter which addresses the two criterion points below:

• Why you want this role and how it aligns with your career goals.
• Your qualifications and experience in a similar position.

To know more about this opportunity, please reach out to Sara Evans on: sara.evans@catholiccare.org.au

Applications for this position will only be considered if submitted through the following platforms: our careers page on our website, mnpeople, Indeed, Seek, or LinkedIn.

Please note that applications will be reviewed and shortlisted as received up until: 11:59pm Wednesday, 07 May 2025

Additional Information

The Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle is a child safe organisation, committed to the safeguarding of children and vulnerable persons and has zero-tolerance of any abuse. All employees are required to undergo a National Police Check and comply with our Safeguarding Framework Policy and Codes of Conduct.

This position has been determined as child related and the Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle will be verifying the successful applicant’s Working with Children Check for Paid Employment prior to commencing working in the position. For more information, please visit the NSW Office of Children’s Guardian.

Applicants must be able to demonstrate an understanding of appropriate behaviours when engaging with children.

CatholicCare Social Services promotes the safety and wellbeing of children from culturally or linguistically diverse backgrounds and encourages applications from people from culturally or linguistically diverse background.

CatholicCare Social Services promotes the safety and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and encourages applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.