• Mt Helen location, Wadawurrung Country
• Part time (0.9EFT), fixed term position for 12 months
• Salary package full time equivalent up to $110k pa (inclusive of base salary $92k FTE, super and salary packaging)

For over 140 years, Berry Street has adapted to a changing world, and we will continue to adapt to achieve our purpose. We believe children, young people and families should be safe, thriving and hopeful. Our Vision for 2022: Together we will courageously change lives and reimagine service systems. We look forward to working with children, young people, families, carers, staff and partners to achieve this vision. Together.

The Opportunity

Berry Street provides Foster Care services in the Western Region of Victoria. The program provides General, Intensive and Complex Foster Care for children and young people who are unable to live with their own families. Most children and young people are placed in out of home care following child protection intervention. A small number are in care on a voluntary basis. Voluntary and statutory placements can be short or long term in nature.

Key Responsibilities

The Senior Intake Worker role will support the Home Based Care and Specialised Care programs by:

• Establishing placements for children referred to the Home Based Care Program.
• Gathering relevant information, matching children and young people to appropriate foster carers and advocating for the necessary resources to enable a successful placement.
• Working closely with the wider Home Based Care team in the establishment of new placements and will oversee short term placement arrangements.
• Completion of Looked After Children’s compliance requirements for a child entering the Out of Home Care system and CSNET compliance.

About You

To be successful in this role you will have:

• Knowledge of the welfare system, preferably the home based care area, as well as community development principles, adult education principles and methods.
• Well-developed assessment skills congruent with the theories of attachment and trauma, or the ability to develop these skills demonstrated through other experience.
• Ability to work comfortably in fluid environment whilst maintaining high professional standards.
• Well-developed knowledge of the stages of child development, as well as a sophisticated understanding of life stages.

The Benefits

• Additional salary packaging available for meals/accommodation.
• Flexible work arrangements and generous leave conditions.
• Access to the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), including access for staff members’ immediate family.

How to Apply

Applications including resume and cover letter addressing the key selection criteria for the position to be submitted by clicking Apply Now.

Queries to Tameka Willis, Team Leader - Home Based Care on 03 5330 5000.

Please Note; the successful applicant will be subject to comprehensive reference and background checking prior to employment, including a Working with Children Check and National Police Check.

Berry Street is committed to being a child safe, child friendly and child empowering organisation. In everything we do we seek to protect children. We are committed to the cultural safety of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children; children from culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds; children with a disability; children who identify with a sexual and or gender minority identity. We aim to ensure every individual is treated with dignity and respect regardless of their cultural background, ability, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, spirituality or religion.

Aboriginal people; people from culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds and people with a disability are encouraged to apply.

A position description is attached.