Director, Carer Services

• Pivotal newly created position
• Implement innovative work practices to achieve strategic outcomes.
• Leadership role with strong stakeholder relationships

The Department for Child Protection is seeking a committed and passionate Director, Carer Services. This role presents a never seen before opportunity to implement best practice policies, frameworks, strategies, and plans that drive effective Out of Home Care (OoHC) carer services across both Government and non-government sectors.

Key Accountabilities

As the Director, Carer Services, you will lead a portfolio of approximately 220 staff and will be responsible for implementing our Carer Strategy, focusing on enhancing recruitment and retention of family-based carers. You will directly lead the interface with foster and kinship carers while driving the principles outlined in the Statement of Commitment to ensure carers feel valued and respected as an essential part of the care team. You will lead a comprehensive suite of carer services aimed at increasing family-based care placements, building strong partnerships with carers, and ensuring their voices shape our practices.

Your leadership will guide the assessment, approval, and review processes to uphold high-quality care standards for children and young people. You will monitor service effectiveness and support culturally sensitive placement matching in line with the Aboriginal Child Placement Principle. In collaboration with non-government sectors, you will lead strategic negotiations to improve Out of Home Care services while cultivating positive relationships across agencies.

Join us in creating a supportive environment that prioritises safety, accountability, and continuous improvement in the sector.

Desired technical knowledge and expertise

Demonstrated knowledge of the child protection system and an understanding of issues and services pertaining to out of home care and care services system is essential coupled with experience at senior leadership level. The key to achieving results in this role is connecting with stakeholders across the sector to build outward facing relationships to improve service delivery. Highly developed interpersonal and negotiation skills are required to achieve changes through collaboration. Your proven capability in driving practice improvements which lead to better outcomes for Aboriginal children and young people in care is crucial to the success of this role. A tertiary qualification in human services, social work, psychology, mental health or related discipline is desirable.

The Department for Child Protection is committed to providing safe and nurturing environments for children and young people in need. It is dedicated to implementing best practice policies and strategies that drive effective Out of Home Care services across both Government and non-government sectors. The Department offers an inclusive and supportive work environment where all team member’s contributions are valued.

Applications close 5pm on 18 October 2024.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples are encouraged to apply. To apply please click apply or call Rebecca Ramsden on 08 8216 3509 for a confidential discussion.