It has come to the attention of the PSA that some Districts are directing new Caseworkers, who have not completed the necessary Caseworker Development Programme (CDP) modules, to conduct home visits and be allocated cases.
New Caseworkers are not to be allocated primary responsibility for families while completing CDP. This recognises the need for Caseworkers to have foundational competencies in order to provide services to families, as well as the time to complete the program.
The “Detailed CDP Structure document” provided to the PSA in 2020, covers the 17 weeks program. Importantly the document sets out week-by-week, the casework tasks which can be undertaken by a caseworker depending on what modules they have completed. These details are captured in the “Capabilities” section which appear at the end of each week. To read the Primary and Secondary Caseworker Activities while undertaking CDP refer to the highlighted “Capabilities” section at the end of each week (See TAB B – CDP casework tasks during CDP May 2020).
The Department is obliged to adequately train all new Caseworkers, provide mentoring, and gradually introduce the full range of Casework duties in pace with completing the various CDP modules.
Inappropriate and premature primary case allocation has been identified by the Department as one of the main contributors to the unacceptably high Caseworker attrition rates.
As the Charles Sturt University Study from 2020 commissioned by DCJ found:
“High levels of stress were felt by new Caseworkers when they were made the primary worker of a case before they had finished their training.” (See page 17 of the Summary findings of the CSU wellbeing research report March 2020)
“This level of stress on unprepared and often inexperienced Caseworkers had a detrimental effect on their wellbeing, and in some cases led to them resigning only months after being recruited.” (See page 137, Caseworker wellbeing report CSU report)
“In far too many cases, it was reported that new Caseworkers felt completely ill-equipped and overwhelmed, and their wellbeing quickly deteriorated.” (See page 139, CDP Caseworker wellbeing report CSU report)
All Caseworkers may be allocated casework tasks in their community services centre or business unit. The allocation of this work should ideally link to their learning in the program and not create a workload that prevents them from fully participating in any learning activities.
If you have any concerns about directions to perform work for which you have not completed the necessary module, please contact your delegate or one of the PSA’s designated Community Services Industrial or Organising staff.
A copy of the full report from the Charles Sturt University study is available on the PSA website.
Click here for a copy of the:
- Full report.
- Summary findings of the CSU Wellbeing Research Report March 2020.
- TAB B – Detailed CDP Structure.
The PSA urges members to share this bulletin with new Caseworkers who commence employment at their CSC.