OOHC Carer Assessor

Our Story:

Creating Links is a leading not-for-profit multicultural community service provider, that is dedicated to delivering the highest quality of standards and service across South-West Sydney and the Greater Sydney region. Garnering a deep and rich history of more than 50 years, we understand the importance of culture and community. Today, we have grown to provide Disability services, Foster Care, Child & Family services, and Financial Wellbeing. We are committed to delivering a holistic person-centered approach combined with a strong passion and focus on providing quality support and service excellence. 

Why You’ll Love Working With Us

• 🌏 Inclusive Culture – Work in a team that values diversity and genuine collaboration.
• 💰 Salary Packaging – Maximise your take-home pay with generous salary packaging (up to $15,900 pa) and a $2,650 meals & entertainment card.
• 📚 Grow Your Skills – Access internal and external training to support your professional development.
• 💙 Wellbeing Support – Employee Assistance Program for you and your family.
• 💡 Make an Impact – Be part of a trusted community organisation that listens, innovates, and strives for better outcomes every day.
• 🛍️ Rewards Shopping Discount – perks on over 500 retailers, thousands saved every year. 
• 🚗Novated Lease – Novated Lease Tax Benefits 

About the Role:

The Carer Assessor plays an important role within the Permanency Support Program (PSP), helping to ensure children and young people are placed with safe, capable and suitable foster, relative and kinship carers.

The role is responsible for completing carer assessments, reviews and pre-authorisation training to determine a carer’s suitability, capacity and readiness to provide safe and stable care. Using a trauma-informed approach, the Carer Assessor considers each carer’s ability to support a child or young person’s safety, wellbeing, cultural identity, development and permanency goals.

Working closely with Carer Recruitment, Intake, Casework, Therapeutic Specialists and Carer Support teams, the role provides clear assessments and recommendations that support placement matching, risk management and informed decision-making.

The Carer Assessor also ensures carer assessments and authorisations meet relevant legislation, Child Safe Standards, PSP requirements and organisational policies. By supporting the development of a strong and diverse carer pool, the role contributes to stable placements and positive long-term outcomes for children and young people in out-of-home care.

Key Skills, Experience and Qualifications

• Qualifications in social work, psychology, social sciences, or related field.
• Demonstrated experience in assessment, interviewing, or statutory child protection.
• Strong understanding of trauma, attachment, child development, and therapeutic care principles.
• Ability to analyse complex information and make clear, defensible recommendations.
• High‑level written communication skills, including report writing.
• Ability to work autonomously, manage competing deadlines, and maintain professional boundaries.

Key Knowledge Areas

• Sound knowledge of the Children’s Guardian Act 2019 and Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Act 1998.
• Sound knowledge of National Principles for Child Safe Organisations and NSW Out of Home Care Code of Practice.
• Sound understanding of trauma-informed practice, and procedural fairness
• Knowledge of safeguarding risk assessment and risk management principles.

Additional Requirements

• Current NSW Working with Children Check.
• Current Criminal History Check.
• Current NSW Driver’s Licence and Comprehensively Insured Vehicle
• Ability to work flexible hours, including regular evenings/weekends for assessments, training and events.
• Willingness to travel long distances, including interstate for home visits and assessments.

Desirable

•    Second Language other than English
•    Experience within the NSW Permanency Support Program or out‑of‑home care sector.
•    Training in Step‑by‑Step, Shared Lives, or other carer assessment frameworks.
•    Experience working with Aboriginal families or knowledge of Aboriginal cultural safety principles.
•    Experience assessing carers for children with disability, high‑risk behaviours or complex needs.