Social Worker

Make a real difference where it matters most

At Serco, you’ll do meaningful work every day. Join our dedicated multidisciplinary team at Adelaide Remand Centre and help support rehabilitation and positive change by delivering high-quality, ethical, and person-centred social work services.

Working in a dynamic correctional environment, you will play a vital role in addressing offending behaviour, supporting wellbeing, and improving outcomes for individuals in custody. You’ll be part of a collaborative team committed to safety, rehabilitation, and respect for human rights, making a genuine impact where it matters most.

About the Role

We are seeking a dedicated and experienced Social Worker to join the multi-disciplinary team at Adelaide Remand Centre. This role plays a critical part in delivering therapeutic interventions and case management services to prisoners, supporting rehabilitation, wellbeing, and safer outcomes within a correctional environment.

The Social Worker will work closely with custodial staff, program delivery teams, and other professionals to address offending behaviour, manage complex needs, and contribute to a culturally safe and ethical service framework.

Key Responsibilities

Operational

• Deliver therapeutic individual support and structured programs to address offending behaviour.


• Assess individual prisoner needs and recommend strategies to improve engagement and program attendance.


• Develop and implement management plans to address difficult and/or challenging behaviours.


• Prepare accurate, timely, and factual documentation relating to offender progress and outcomes.


• Liaise with staff across the prison site as part of a multi-disciplinary case management approach.


• Participate in regular team meetings to support a collaborative, proactive, and positive team culture.


• Engage in ongoing professional development to maintain best practice standards in program delivery.


• Demonstrate and promote respect for dignity, culture, ethnicity, values, and beliefs of prisoners and colleagues.


• Conduct prison-based research as required.


• Develop and support the delivery of staff training initiatives across the facility.

Program Delivery

• Work collaboratively with custodial and program delivery staff as an intervention specialist.


• Contribute professional expertise to the case management of individual prisoners.

Professional Capabilities

• Maintain a highly professional standard of conduct and presentation in line with uniform and dress standards.


• Adhere to Serco’s Values, Code of Conduct, and key operating principles at all times.


• Demonstrate effective teamwork and collaboration to achieve facility objectives.


• Actively support a culturally sensitive and inclusive environment.


• Promote and comply with all health, safety, and wellbeing standards.


• Uphold the highest levels of personal integrity and ethical behaviour.

Essential Skills, Knowledge and Experience

Experience

• Demonstrated experience working within a multi-disciplinary team delivering services or programs in a correctional, welfare, or institutional setting.


• Experience in group facilitation, ideally with clients presenting complex mental health and behavioural issues.

Knowledge

• Comprehensive understanding of ethical, legal, and professional obligations of a Social Worker.


• Strong knowledge of contemporary correctional concepts, principles, and practices.

Abilities

• Strong verbal and written communication skills.


• Ability to make sound, defensible decisions within a practical framework.


• Proven conflict resolution and negotiation skills.


• Ability to identify and implement service or business improvement initiatives without impacting service delivery.

Qualifications

• Relevant tertiary qualification in Social Work (mandatory).


• Post-graduate qualification or advanced degree (desirable).


• Current registration with the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW).

Mandatory Checks and Clearances

• Agreement to undergo a National Criminal History Check (initial and annual).


• Agreement to undergo a Department of Corrective Services (SA) approval/endorsement.

Personal Attributes

• Demonstrated leadership disposition.


• Sound judgement and decision-making ability.


• High level of personal drive, resilience, and integrity.


• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills.


• Commitment to human rights principles and ethical practice.

Why Join Us?

This is a rewarding opportunity to make a meaningful impact in a challenging and dynamic environment. You will be supported by a collaborative team, ongoing professional development, and the opportunity to contribute to rehabilitation and positive change within the correctional system.

What We Offer

At Serco, we recognise the important work you do and provide a supportive environment with benefits designed to help you thrive:

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  Competitive salary aligned to skills and experience

  
  


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  Free meals provided on site

  
  


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  Structured onboarding and comprehensive training

  
  


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  Ongoing professional development and career progression opportunities

  
  


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  Access to employee wellbeing and support programs

  
  


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  Secure employment within a global organisation delivering essential public services

  
  

Why Serco?

At Serco, we bring together the right people and partners to deliver essential public services across health, justice, defence, and community sectors. Diversity and inclusion are at the heart of everything we do, and we welcome applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, LGBTQI+ individuals, veterans, and people with disability.

📞 For a confidential discussion, contact Beth Peeney on +61 8 9450 9647 or email [email protected]

Are you ready to do important work that really matters?
Impact a better future with Serco. Apply today.