• A permanent part-time position, working 3 days per week.
• Make a difference in the Newcastle and Hunter Region community.
• Join one of Newcastle’s Top 5 Employers.

The Opportunity

The Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle is seeking an experienced and skilled Caseworker for their Healing and Support Team within the Office of Safeguarding. This position is responsible for providing personalised healing and support services to survivors and their families of historic child sexual abuse. You will act as their advocate both within the Diocese and wider community through supporting and promoting their personal and unique journey.

This is a permanent part-time position, working 22.8 hours per week (3 x 7.6 hour days).

Join Us and Make a Difference to the Community

The Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle (‘Diocese’) serves the Hunter and Manning regions which have a population of some 160,000 Catholics. Through its parishes, pastoral groups, and its agencies of Catholic Schools, CatholicCare, St Nicholas Early Education and other agencies the diocese provides pastoral, educational, social welfare, and community development. The Diocese employees approximately 3,500 staff across these agencies.

About You

• You are tertiary qualified in psychology, social work, legal studies, criminology or related area.
• You have and maintain a specialist level of knowledge of contemporary practices in the support of victims of sexual assault and child protection.
• You are skilled and experienced in developing and maintaining appropriate, supportive and therapeutic relationships with those affected by sexual abuse or assault.
• You possess a positive ‘can do’, resilient attitude.

Benefits of Working With Us

• Ongoing training and development opportunities.
• Work in a supportive and friendly environment of dedicated and passionate co-workers.
• Receive up to 3 additional days bishop’s leave between the Christmas and new year period.
• Access to an employee assistance program.
• The availability of discounted gym membership.

Essential criteria

• Tertiary qualification in psychology, social work, legal studies, criminology or related area.
• Experience (at least 3 years) working with persons affected by child sexual abuse in a clinical setting or therapeutic role.
• Demonstrated ability and expertise in working with persons affected by child sexual abuse, their families and relations.
• Demonstrated capacity and readiness to engage with networks of support and expert resources for persons affected by child sexual abuse, including counselling services, peer support and advocacy groups.
• Demonstrated ability to evaluate and incorporate new treatment milieus for persons affected by child sexual abuse.
• Demonstrated capacity to operate in an environment of strict confidentiality and information protection.
• Demonstrated ability to support therapeutically effective group work for persons affected by instances of child sexual abuse.
• Good communication skills and capacity to establish and maintain ongoing, long-term liaisons with persons affected by child sexual abuse from a range of backgrounds.
• Demonstrated skills in conflict resolution and capacity to achieve equitable resolutions of conflict between parties. Skills in current practices for conflict resolution.
• Demonstrated ability to self-direct and work independently with minimal supervision.
• Sound time management and organisational skills and an ability to work effectively in a high pressure work environment.
• A current Working with Children Clearance for paid work.
• A current NSW Driver Licence.

Desirable criteria:

• Experience in providing support to victims of adult sexual assault.
• An understanding of processes – both church and legal – in relation to civil claims.
• An awareness of child protection legislation, the crimes act 1900 and criminal court proceedings.
• Ability to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team answerable to multiple stakeholders.
• An awareness of church and organisational culture.
• High level skills in promoting an understanding of professional boundaries and professional conduct.
• Capability in using computers and managing client files.