Do you have a degree in Social Work, Social Science, Community Welfare, Youth Work or related discipline and previous experience working within the Adoption or OOHC space with an NGO? Would you like a career with real development opportunities, attractive benefits and support?

Sound like you. Then apply now!

Your role

The role provides casework to support children in OOHC to achieve permanency through adoption. NSW has ‘Open Adoption’ which means an open attitude and the sharing of time and information between two families. An open attitude helps adopted children to understand that they have more than one family, keep building relationships with family members through talking, messaging and spending time together, to feel free to talk about their family and culture, and share their thoughts and feelings about being adopted. Adoption caseworkers support children and their families with these relationships and discussions about family, culture and care experience and support the legal work required to file applications at the NSW Supreme Court.

What You’ll Do

Senior Caseworker Responsibilities

Provide advice and guidance to children and young people, families, DCJ district teams, NGO’s and other stakeholders.Provide adoption casework including work to support family time, cultural planning and legal orders.Provide case management to families considering adopting a child including oversight of the application and assessment process and the provision of training to applicants.Maintain and progress active adoption matters and be able to work independently with minimal supervision.Assist in the completion of the adoption application in conjunction with Legal Services and internal paralegals.Ensure accurate and thorough records are maintained on Child Story.Provide regular feedback on progress and status of cases to managers and colleagues as provided.Liaise with relevant non-government organisations where appropriate and provide relevant adoption training to those organisations when required. Also provide updated adoption specific training to DCJ staff.

Attendance at 6 Parramatta Square and other locations and districts within the state will be required throughout the year. In line with the NSW Premiers requirement for NSW Public Servants to work primarily from an office this role requires attendance at an office 50% of the week.

What We’re Looking For

To be successful in this role you will have well developed communication and analytical skills, an understanding of the impact of trauma and abuse on a child’s development and a passion for working with and learning from spirited children, young people, their families and our community partners. You will also have a:

Completed bachelor’s degree in social work, Social Science, Community Welfare, Youth Work or a related discipline OR identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander with a strong connection to communityPrevious experience working within the Adoption or OOHC spaceA valid driver’s licenceA paid Working with Children Check clearance number

Click here to view the role description and the assessment process

Click here to hear from our Caseworkers.

What We Offer

The Department of Communities and Justice, Community Services is the largest child protection organisation in Australia and offers competitive benefits and opportunities:

Rewarding salary from $110,266to $113,562pa plus superannuation and annual leave loadingOpportunities to work flexibly (minimum 50% of working week from a DCJ office)17 weeks of industry leading training in the Caseworker Development Program Customised career development and support for your personal and professional growth Generous leave entitlements including flex leave Positive culture for wellness including Fitness Passport, tailored health app and mental health support

We do work that really matters

Working for the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) provides lots of opportunities to make a real difference. We collaborate with other agencies and community partners, to improve lives and realise the potential of children, adults, families and communities. We're focused on breaking, rather than managing, disadvantage. It’s work that really matters.

Apply now and join Australia’s top public sector employer where we will support you and provide an exciting and flexible working environment!

Are you ready to join us?

Click apply, attach a cover letter (maximum 2 pages) outlining how you meet the requirements of the role as well as an up-to-date résumé (maximum 5 pages).

If you would like to be considered for this opportunity, please attach:

an up-to-date résumé (maximum 5 pages).a one (1) page covering letter summarising your skills and experience which are relevant to the role and how your work in adoptions or previous experience in out of home care is relevant to the role.

Applications close Monday 21 July 2025at 11:59pm AEST.

Got a question?

For more information about the role or what it’s like to work for DCJ, please contact the hiring manager Elizabeth Byrne on 0408 944 955 or at [email protected]

If you’ve got a question about applying or would benefit from an adjustment in the recruitment process to help you perform at your best (including an alternate method submission of the application), please call Isabelle Kratz on 02 9765 3781 or via [email protected]

Visit Recruitment adjustments on the DCJ website to learn more.

Inclusion and Diversity lies at the heart of how we recruit

We continue to hire great people with a wide variety of skills, experience and backgrounds. This includes people with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, women, people identifying as LGBTIQ+, culturally and linguistically diverse people, carers and other diversity groups.

To find out what DCJ are doing to build an inclusive and diverse workforce, visit Inclusion and diversity on the DCJ website.

Other Information

A talent list for other casework roles including in the Open Adoption and Records Access directorate will be created from this recruitment.

For more information visit Applying for DCJ jobs on the DCJ website.

Thank you for your interest in this role. We look forward to receiving your application.

To keep up with recruitment opportunities at DCJ, follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/CareersatDCJ/

The Welcome Experience

Thinking about moving to regional NSW? Get free, personalised support with housing, schools, jobs, and settling in. Learn more: www.nsw.gov.au/welcomeexperience

The careers site currently promotes this service on the ‘Discover roles with DCJ in regional NSW’ page.