• Full-time position
• Based at Warradale: servicing our Southern & Central service delivery area

Our Foster Care Service (FCS) is funded through the Department for Child Protection (DCP) to provide family based foster care services in the SA Metropolitan North, South, West, and East, the Adelaide Hills, the Barossa and the Murray/Mallee regions.

Foster Care Case Workers, assess, train, support and advocate for both Generalist and Specialist foster families with the view to provide therapeutic families and homes to children and young people. Lutheran Community Care (LCC) is dedicated to stable placements for children and providing quality carer supports to equip and support families to not only meet the needs of the children and young people in their care but to facilitate environments in which they can thrive.

While the position is office based, travel for regular home visits with foster carers and to other locations for intra and interagency meetings is required as well as working outside normal office hours. You must hold a current and unrestricted South Australian Drivers Licence and possess a registered roadworthy vehicle available for work use (employees reimbursed for work travel).

Due to our COVID-19 response, our Foster Care Services team are working between their home and their LCC office on a rotational basis. The skills and ability to work remotely with limited supervision will be highly regarded.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Manage a case load of carer households (1:18 generalist 1:7 specialist).
• Work collaboratively with families and members of the care team to ensure access to appropriate information, training and services for children in care.
• In collaboration with the child’s care team, provide information and support to carers in recognising and therapeutically responding to children’s care needs, including managing challenging behaviours.
• Develop and facilitate foster carer support groups in conjunction with the Foster Care Services team.
• Maintain up-to-date accurate case notes.
• Assist with planning and facilitating special events for carers.
• Conduct foster carer annual reviews as required.
• Monitor foster carer compliance with ongoing accreditation and re-certification requirements.
• Participate in the after hours on-call rostered support of foster carers.
• Provide input into case planning consultation with DCP and foster carers.
• Assist with development and implementation of foster carer retention initiatives.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Relevant degree, other qualification (minimum Certificate IV) or specialist skills to perform at this level.
• Advanced skills in case management, assessment and referral.
• Knowledge and experience of foster care services and an understanding of the issues facing foster carers.
• High level of interpersonal skills in dealing with the public and other organisations.
• Ability to communicate effectively in both oral and written communications and work with a broad range of people from a variety of backgrounds.
• A sound knowledge of the effects of trauma and abuse, attachment issues and behaviour management in relation to children in care.
• Ability to work independently and demonstrate initiative.

BENEFITS AND CULTURE:

Lutheran Community Care is a not for profit faith based organisation providing all staff members with high level support to allow management of your case load ensuring appropriate outcomes for foster carers and children in care.

ABOUT LUTHERAN COMMUNITY CARE:

Lutheran Community Care provides community services on behalf of the Lutheran Church in South Australia and Northern Territory through a range of programs. We support communities through responding to the needs of individuals and families, community development, learning opportunities, accommodation and support. Current programs include emergency relief, financial counselling, family support and education, foster care, housing and family shelter and refugee services.

For further information about LCC please go to our website www.lccare.org.au.

For further information and instructions on how to apply, including a Job Description please click Apply Now.

Applications MUST include a Cover Letter, Selection Criteria Response and a current Resume.

A Position Description is attached.