Tenille Barber

Manager Casework lead and influence casework practice across a team of caseworkers which directly supports children, young people and families through effective case management allocation, team, and individual casework supervision and collaborative local and interagency practices.

Manager Casework duties include, but are not limited to leading and managing a team of caseworkers through effective group supervision, leadership and individual casework coaching and feedback to deliver accountable and collaborative casework that respects the culture and context of each child, young person, family, and community. Manager Casework ensure casework and client record compliance through effective review and feedback mechanisms; Prepare and review input to legal documentation, briefings and correspondence on care and protection issues ensuring responses are accurate and provided within requested timeframes; Initiate court proceedings as the official applicant and provide support and guidance to caseworkers in matters such as appeal proceedings in District and Supreme Courts; and contribute to operational and policy issues and change management strategies which support the agency goals and objectives.

Caseworkers respond to reports about children or young people who may have been harmed or where there are safety concerns. Caseworkers work directly with children, young people, and families to support them to achieve change that keeps children and young people safe and improves their social, emotional, health and educational outcomes.

Child protection caseworker duties include, but are not limited to working sensitively and respectfully with parents, family members, children or young people; work collaboratively with other agencies; develop safety plans and complete risk assessments; manage cases and situations including working with high needs and high risk clients and their families; be involved in court processes, including the preparation of court documents and attending court; engage in complex problem solving; and participate in individual and group supervision.

Youth Advisors provide support and strategies to students to encourage school engagement through delivery of group workshops and individual support.

Student Wellbeing Support Officers work closely with the school learning and support team, delivering student resilience and wellbeing services.

Brighter Futures caseworkers deliver targeted early intervention services to families with children aged under 9 years, or who are expecting a child, where the child/ren are at high risk of entering or escalating within the statutory child protection system. The caseworker role involves providing support and structure for the safety of children and young people, and immediately take appropriate action in line with policies and the mandatory reporting guidelines where the safety of the child or young person is at risk; assess families’ strengths and needs using assessment tools; assist families to formulate goals that are child focused and address the safety and well-being of children; and deliver the practice framework for working with families affected by domestic violence and other approved practice interventions, among many other casework skills.

Reconnect caseworkers provide early intervention and prevention programs for young people aged 12 to 18 years who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, and their families, by intervening early to stabilise and improve their housing situation and improve their level of engagement with family, education, training, employment, and their local community.