• 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.

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 4,000 staff across these agencies.

The Opportunity

The Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle is seeking an experienced and skilled Caseworker for their Healing and Support Team (Zimmerman Services) 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). The successful applicant must be able to work Thursday and Friday plus one other day.

About You

• You are tertiary qualified in psychology, social work, social welfare 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.

Having an awareness of church and organisational culture will be highly regard for this position.

For a confidential discussion about the position you can contact the Manager Healing and Support, Maureen O’Hearn on 02 4979 1385.

Benefits of Working With Us

• Ongoing training and development opportunities.
• Work in a supportive and friendly environment of dedicated and passionate co-workers.
• Receive 5 weeks’ annual leave per year.
• Receive up to 3 additional days leave, Bishop’s Leave, between the Christmas and new year period annually.
• Paid Parental Leave.
• The availability of discounted gym membership.
• And more.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Please individually address each of the below Essential and Desirable selection criterion to be considered for this position.

Essential:

• Tertiary qualification in psychology, social work, social welfare 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.
• 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 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:

• 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.
• An awareness of church and organisational culture.
• Ability to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team answerable to multiple stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to support therapeutically effective group work for persons affected by instances of child sexual abuse.
• High level skills in promoting an understanding of professional boundaries and professional conduct.
• Capability in using computers and managing client files.

Child Safe Organisation

The Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle is a child safe organisation, committed to the protection of children and has zero-tolerance of any abuse of children. All employees are required to undergo a National Police Check, retain a valid Working with Children Check where necessary and comply with our Child Safeguarding Policy and Code of Conduct.

The appointment of successful applicants will be subject to satisfactory employment screening including the completion of a National Police Check, where applicable the retention of a valid Working with Children Check and adoption and compliance with our Child Safeguarding Policy and Code of Conduct.