AHP1/2 - Social Worker – Truancy

Department for Education
Job reference: 861325
Location: 5600 - WHYALLA, 5700 - PORT AUGUSTA
Job status: Short Term Contract
Eligibility: Open to Everyone

Why work with us

Every child and young person deserves a great education.

We have a strategy that aims to unlock every child’s potential now and into the future, one that in partnership with learners, students, parents and the wider South Australian community will build a world-leading public education system. One that is equitable and prioritises learning and wellbeing.

Together we will make our education system the best it can be.

When our children and young people thrive, so do our communities and our state.

About Student Support Services (SSS)

The Student Support Services (SSS) team works with schools and preschools to assist them to support the strengths, opportunities and additional needs of learners. This service is time-limited and based on identified and agreed upon goals, recorded in a service plan. The nature and level of support is tailored to each site’s needs.

The trend of increasing learner complexity is well documented in the literature. Children and young people may have experienced violence, abuse or other trauma and live within a complex family dynamic. Increasing numbers of children and young people are being identified with complex learning difficulties and disabilities often with co-existing conditions such as autism and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Increasing numbers of children are in schools who have difficulties arising from premature birth, have survived infancy due to advances in medical interventions, have rare neurological disorders and foetal alcohol syndrome. Behavioural issues are becoming increasingly more challenging and complex with a range of co-morbidity factors (including mental health) that require skills and expertise to identify underlying causes to better address the needs of the children and young people.

About the roles

AHP1 - Social Worker – Truancy

The Social Worker-Truancy at AHPl level is a member of a multi-disciplinary team and works with children, young people and their families in relation to students with truancy, attendance, engagement and retention issues. The Social Worker at this level works with preschools and school staff, and parents using evidence-based interventions that include proactive, targeted and intensive strategies that can be adapted for learning and home contexts. This position works with the professional support of the AHP2 Social Worker and AHP3 Senior Social Worker.

AHP2 - Social Worker – Truancy

The Social Worker - Truancy is a member of an inter-disciplinary team and works with children and young people with truancy, attendance, engagement and retention issues and their families. The Social Worker works with preschool and school staff, and parents to develop evidence-based interventions that include proactive, targeted and intensive strategies that can be adapted for learning and home contexts. This position works with the professional support of the Senior Social Worker.

Qualifications

Essential: An appropriate degree or equivalent which gives eligibility for full membership of the Australian Association of Social Workers.

Desirable: Nil

Special conditions

The successful applicant is required to gain a Department for Human Services (DHS) working with children check (WWCC) prior to being employed which is required to be renewed every five years before expiry.

Prior to commencement, the successful applicant will be required to complete the RRHAN–EC (Responding to Risks of Harm, Abuse and Neglect – Education and Care) Facilitator Lead (Masterclass) course at their own cost. This certification must be kept current and renewed every 3 years.

For all other Special Conditions please refer to the attached Position Description.

Remuneration

AHP1 $73,710 - $89,981 per annum (1.0 FTE) + superannuation (12%) + leave loading and applicable allowances.

AHP2 $94,997 - $ $110,052 per annum (1.0 FTE) + superannuation (12%) + leave loading and applicable allowances.

Enquiries

Enquiries can be directed to Vanessa Drechsler, Senior Social Worker Truancy, via mob: 0419 759 558 or email: Vanessa.Drechsler2@sa.gov.au

Application instructions

Applications should be made through the IWorkForSA website.

Applicants are required to submit a CV, the Application Cover Sheet, Preference Sheet,  Employment Declaration, and a cover letter of no more than two pages addressing the key competencies in the attached position description.

People of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent and/or those who have a disability are strongly encouraged to apply.

Additional note

We are seeking to fill multiple full-time and part-time contract roles based across Port Augusta and Whyalla, including:

• 1.0 FTE and 0.8 FTE positions for an initial 12-month term
• 1.0 FTE position for an initial 6-month term

Flexible offsite work arrangements may be available for successful applicant(s), depending on FTE and eligibility requirements.

Applications close: 25/10/2026 11:30 PM

Attachments:
- Application Cover Sheet - PSAct..pdf
- CURRENT - position description - Social Worker Truancy - AHP1 - March 2022.pdf
- CURRENT - position description - Social Worker Truancy - AHP2 - August 2025.pdf
- How to Apply PS Act guidelines.pdf
- Social Worker – Truancy - Preference Sheet.pdf
- VL233 Pre-employment declaration.pdf

Flexibility Statement
The South Australian public sector promotes diversity and flexible ways of working including part-time. Applicants are encouraged to discuss the flexible working arrangements for this role.