ROLE DESCRIPTION
1.
ROLE DETAILS
Role Title
Senior Social Worker – High Risk Infants Program
Role No
Division
Families SA
Branch/Unit
Reports To
2.
Supervisor, Family Support & Child Safety
AHP2
Discipline
Allied Health
Date Created
June 2010
Date Approved
June 2010
Review Date
June 2012
ROLE CONTEXT
Role Summary
Reporting/Working
Relationships
Special Conditions
3.
Classification Level
The Senior Social Worker - High Risk Infants Program is a role within Families SA and is accountable to
the Supervisor, Family Support & Child Safety for:

leading social work practice in regards to the holistic assessment of high risk infants and their families

provision of specialist intervention, support, services or referrals for high risk infants and their families

casework of a more complex and contentious nature

working effectively within a multidisciplinary team

provide professional leadership and support to Family Support Workers

Supervisor (line manager)

Directors, Senior Managers and staff across Families SA.

Families SA staff

Other government and non-government agencies providing services to the infants, children and
young people requiring care and protection.

Successful applicant will be required to satisfactorily complete a Background Screening and National
Criminal History Record Check (NCHRC) prior to being employed and every three years.

Some out of hours work will and intrastate travel may be required.

A current driver’s licence and willingness to drive in the course of their duties is essential

A degree level qualification in Social Work leading to eligibility for (full) membership of the Australian
Association of Social Workers.
QUALIFICATIONS
Essential
4.
PRIMARY OUTCOMES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Complex Casework
RELATED TASKS
 Undertake case work and case management of complex high risk infant child protection
cases in the context of the “Strong Families, Safe Babies Program Guidelines”.
 Prepare information for Youth Court processes and act as a witness in court proceedings.
Complex Intervention Support
 Use of social work models to inform practice.
 Deliver sustained intervention within a multi-disciplinary team.
 Provide intervention and assessments utilising specialist tools, for example, the Assessment
Framework and Parenting Capacity assessments.
 Engage with and build effective partnerships with families and carers to ensure the safety and
well-being of high risk infants and their siblings.
 Comprehensively assess the needs and circumstances of high risk infants and their families
and carers.
 Provide appropriate services or referrals for high risk infants and support to their families and
carers.
 Support the interests, rights and needs of clients within the legislative framework and duty of
care requirements.
Team Work
 Provide advice and professional case consultation to Family Support Workers and less
experienced staff on practical issues regarding casework and case management.
 Work with other services in service planning, practice and monitoring.
 Work effectively with culturally diverse clients and co-workers.
 Reflect and improve upon own professional practice.
Organisational Contribution
 Understand and follow workplace safety initiatives, identify hazards and contribute to a safe
working environment, as well as follow procedures to manage and minimise risks within the
DECD.
 Follow the principles of a sustainable working environment by following departmental
greening initiatives.
 Model ethical behaviour and practices consistent with SA Government Code of Ethics for
Public Sector Employees and DECD stated values.
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5.
DECD CAPABILITIES (C)
Relating &
Communicating
Client Focus
Achieving
Objectives
Personal Drive &
Professionalism
Continuous
Improvement
Respect Cultural
Diversity
6.

Identify networking opportunities to facilitate knowledge transfer.

Adapt communication style and identify strategies to improve communication effectiveness.

Recognise and encourage contributions and efforts of individuals to team effectiveness.

Listen to client feedback to gain insight for continuous improvement of services.

Propose creative and workable alternatives to improve services to culturally and linguistically diverse
clients and those clients with a disability.

Utilise a variety of information sources to gain insight to understand client enquiries and diverse
practical solutions.

Take responsibility for delivering business unit outcomes and performance.

Assess progress toward team goals and identify the actions required to achieve objectives.

Provide specific performance feedback as soon as practicable.

Follow safe work practices and contribute to the well-being and safety of team/unit.

Identify development opportunities for team members to increase team capability.

Investigate own personal and professional development opportunities .

Identify potential risks and implement action plans to manage and minimise the risk.

Develop and implement solutions based on research to improve organisational performance.

Seek opportunities to improve departmental processes by contributing to improvement initiatives.

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.
ROLE SPECIFIC CAPABILITIES
1
Infant and Child Knowledge Base - demonstrate knowledge and understanding of infant physical, social and emotional
development; children and young people development; and the Child Protection Act
2
Family Knowledge Base - demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the social, cultural and environmental influences on
family well-being, family development, and positive parenting.
3
Interventions – carry out brief interventions including counselling, behavioural change practice and family interventions, to
empower clients to make change to improved well being.
4
Support and Advice – experience in the provision of support and advice to less experienced case workers.
7.
DELEGATES APPROVAL
ASSESSED BY:
Jade Walkley
Date: 23/06/2010
Signature:
APPROVED BY:
Shiona Somerville
Date: 23/06/2010
Signature:
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