POSITION DESCRIPTION
1.
POSITION DETAILS
Position Title
Social Worker – Assessment, Training and Review
Position No
Classification Level
PO1
Discipline
Professional
Division
Families SA – Guardianship and Alternative Care
Date Created
October 2008
Branch/Unit
Relative and Kinship Care Program
Date Approved
October 2008
Reports To
Supervisor Relative and Kinship Care Assessment,
Training and Review Team
Review Date
October 2010
2.
POSITION CONTEXT
Position Summary
Reporting/Working
Relationships
Special Conditions
3.
The Social Worker in the Assessment, Training and Review Team is an operational role within Families
SA Relative and Kinship Care Program and is required to:

Utilise social work skills to undertake professional assessment, training and review of relative/ kinship
carers.
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Work within a child protection framework.
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Work in partnership with government and non-government agencies and with clients.

Assist relative and kinship carers during the course of professional assessment and support to
provide a safe care environment.

Work within the care team to ensure children who have entered into the care of the Minister are
provided with a care experience that enables their development, stability and security.
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Supervisor Relative and Kinship Care Assessment, Training and Review Team (direct line manager)
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Manager, Relative and Kinship Care Program
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Relative and Kinship Care Program staff
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District Centre staff
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Relative and Kinship Carers
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Children and Young People in care
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Registration and Licensing Unit
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Departmental Psychologists
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Birth parents
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Other government and non-government agencies providing services to the children and young people
requiring care and protection and their families.

Some out of hours work and intrastate travel will be required.

The location of this position may change to meet service demands.

Successful applicants will be required to undergo a Criminal History and Background Check prior to
being employed.

Hold a current driver’s license and is able and willing to drive in the course of their duties.

The incumbent may be assigned to another position at this remuneration level or its equivalent.
QUALIFICATIONS
Essential
A relevant degree level qualification including but not limited to the social work, social sciences,
behavioural sciences or criminal justice discipline to a standard accepted by the Chief Executive.
“Pursuant to Section 67 of the Public Sector Management Act 1995, people of Australian Aboriginal
descent applying for positions within Families SA who have the appropriate background, knowledge and
skills, but not the listed formal tertiary qualifications in social work, are eligible to apply for this position.”
4.
PRIMARY OUTCOMES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Case work
RELATED TASKS
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Intervention support
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Communicate and
advocate
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Team work
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Organisational
Contribution
Undertake comprehensive relative and kinship carer assessments as to suitability of applicants,
particularly in relation to known risk factors.
Identify risk factors for placement breakdown and work collaboratively with relative, kinship carers,
District Centre / and relative and kinship carer staff to enhance placement support and stability.
Conduct Carer Reviews.
Act as a resource to support placement support workers and carers by facilitating specialist training
and learning opportunities for carers, assisting in the establishment of carer focus groups, peer
support and learning groups for carers.
Operate within and across relevant professional networks.
Undertake professional assessments of relative and kinship carers with the aim of identifying and
responding to needs and risks to safety, well being and development of children and young people.
Work with relative and kinship carer families during the course of assessment, training and review
to enable them to provide safe care of their children.
Work in a culturally appropriate manner with relative and kinship carer families for the safety of
children.
Enhance the problem solving and coping capacities of individuals and Aboriginal families are
through the provision of respectful consultation processes.
Assist in the direct delivery of services to Aboriginal people that strengthen and preserve families
and contribute to a life of well being, caring and healing.
Identify, collect and share information and observing clients and their situations, in a manner
which promotes dignity and allows them to assess and determine strategies that contribute to their
well being.
Assist in the development and implementation of training modules for relative and kinship care.
Undertake annual reviews and appropriate registration and that this is recorded as per Families
S.A. Registration and Licensing policy and procedures.
Uphold legislative and agency requirements to ensure responsive and accountable support to
Relative and Kinship carers.
Provide direct social work support to relative and kinship carers and liaise closely with District
centre social work staff in terms of children and young people’s needs within placement.
Interact effectively with relative and kinship carers, children and young people and their birth
families.
Work effectively with culturally diverse clients and co-workers.
Utilise specialist communication skills to build strong relationships both individually and in group
settings.
Communicate across government and non-government organisations, families, community and
with individual clients to strengthen the supports to individuals and families in managing the key
issues that face them.
Compile professional/ reports as required for a range of audiences.
Act as a witness in Court processes where required.
Work effectively within a team towards achieving the identified outcomes of the team and/or
program.
Model ethical behaviour and professional integrity in accordance with Social Work ethics.
Comply with workplace and other related legislative requirements.

Understand and follow work place safety initiatives, identify hazards and contribute to a safe
working environment, as well as follow procedures to manage and minimise risks within DFC.

Follow the principles of a sustainable working environment by following DFC greening initiatives.

Model ethical behaviour and practices consistent with SA Government Code of Conduct for Public
Sector Employees and DFC stated values.
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4.
DFC CAPABILITIES (B)
Relating &
Communicating
Client Focus
Achieving
Outcomes
Personal Drive &
Professionalism
Continuous
Improvement
Respect Cultural
Diversity
5.

Communicate ideas and information, both written and verbal, in a clear and logical format.

Identify and use appropriate resources and technology available to develop and maintain internal and
external networks.

Develop team relationships and encourage active participation from all team members

Develop a clear understanding of issues from client’s perspective.

Resolve complex client issues, adjust approach to meet changing priorities and provide services that
address the cultural needs of clients, and clients with a disability.

Deliver high quality solutions and accurate information to clients in a timely manner to build positive
client relationships
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Manage workload and changing priorities.
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Guide and support others to help meet set objectives.

Adjust activities/processes based on feedback.

Establish links between current goals/initiatives and the departmental values.

Evaluate personal progress and develop new approaches to increase knowledge base and skill sets.

Take action when receiving feedback from others to improve strengths and development areas.

Contribute innovative ideas to improve departmental processes and encourage others to contribute.

Critically analyse issues, and investigate solutions or actions that contribute to improved departmental
processes.

Recognise the need for change, support change and identify the impact of change on team, goals and
procedures.

Take action and provide services that are inclusive of Aboriginal people and people from culturally and
linguistically diverse backgrounds as well as engaging in learning about other cultures to better
establish relationships and improve services.
JOB SPECIFIC CAPABILITIES
1
Communication - demonstrated ability to communicate both verbally & in writing with staff, clients, courts and other
stakeholders and ability to engage with clients; including non voluntary clients and those with challenging behaviours.
2
Assess & Minimise Client Risk – understand and evaluate the factors that contribute to client/family risk and develop action
plans to reduce or eliminate the risks.
3
Case Management – perform casework undertaking suitable assessments, interventions and making appropriate referrals.
4
Conflict Resolution – clarify situations, act impartially and use influence, negotiation and persuasion to effectively mediate the
conflict and devise a workable solution.
5
Relevant knowledge - knowledge of relevant Acts, in particular, the Young Offenders Act 1993, Youth Court Act 1993,
Children’s Protection Act 1993, Criminal Law Consolidation Act 1991, Bail Act 1985, Summary Offences Act 1953, Families and
Community Services Act 1972 and Correctional Services Act 1982.
6.
DELEGATES APPROVAL
ASSESSED BY:
Date:
Signature:
APPROVED BY:
Date:
Signature:
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