"Empower children's futures as a Senior Placement Practitioner at Centacare's Foster Care program."

About Centacare

Each year, we support more than 30,000 people through community services in metropolitan and regional South Australia, operating within a strong ethical framework. We are client focused and provide support regardless of race, economic circumstance, sexual orientation, gender identity, religious belief or ethnic background. Centacare is a Child Safe, Quality Accredited Organisation and is a registered NDIS provider. We value the uniqueness of individuals, we consult, collaborate and operate with integrity and professionalism. Centacare is committed to cultivating a harmonious workplace free from harassment and discrimination. Equal opportunity principles align with our mission, vision and values. We believe that treating our workers fairly has a positive impact on our clients and maintains our reputation as a great place to work.

To learn more about us, click on the video Centacare Catholic Family Services - Our Story

About the Role 

Centacare has an opening for a Senior Placement Practitioner for our Foster Care program in a full-time permanent position, with the possibility of negotiating a 0.8 FTE arrangement to meet service delivery needs. Based at our Seaton site, this Monday to Friday role from 9 am to 5:06 pm involves travel to homes within the community and occasional work outside of regular hours.

As a Senior Placement Practitioner, you will oversee placements for children aged 0-17, including immediate, short-term, long-term, and respite care. You will promote a culturally safe environment, support foster carers and staff, and drive program development and innovation. Working closely with the Placement Manager, you will enhance the professional development of the team and collaborate to achieve program goals. Additionally, you will maintain quality assurance by contributing to program policies, ensuring accurate data on referrals and placements, and effectively matching carer households with placements in compliance with legislation.

Responsibilities include:

• Provide expert advice, support, and guidance to support practitioners.
• Collaborate on complex cases with support practitioners to ensure comprehensive care.
• Chair multi-disciplinary Care Team Meetings, managing participants diplomatically to address both the child’s and carer’s needs holistically.
• Liaise with the Respite Support Practitioner, Carer Support Practitioners, Department of Child Protection staff, and carers to facilitate various placements within the program, tracking and maintaining placement data.
• Advocate for carers, ensuring their needs and voices are heard.
• Participate in the on-call duty roster and escalate placement issues of risk to the Manager as needed.

About you

To be suitable for this role, you will have extensive case management experience in child protection. You will have a thorough understanding of Child Protection and Foster Care legislation, as well as the Department of Child Protection’s (DCP) systems and child protection risk factors. Your strong communication and interpersonal skills will enable effective collaboration with team members and ensure exceptional service delivery. The ideal candidate will also excel in cultivating relationships with key stakeholders, supported by excellent time management and prioritization abilities.

Skills and Qualifications

• Social Work degree
• Understanding of therapeutic approaches for children and young people with trauma backgrounds
• Understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) Placement Principles
• Experience in working in the In Care Sector
• Knowledge of therapeutic care and trauma-informed practice
• Experience in leadership roles (Desirable)

Prior to receiving a formal offer of employment with Centacare, the following documents must be provided for this role:

• Driver’s licence
• Valid Working with Children Check (WWCC)
• Evidence of right to work in Australia
• 100 points of identification

Why choose Centacare?

• SCHCADS Award 2010 Level 6 $51.90 p/h + super  
• Generous salary packaging to help increase your take home pay
• Meal and entertainment card option available
• Highly skilled team that contribute to a cohesive, harmonious and supportive workplace environment
• Quality accredited and reputable organisation
• Ongoing training and development opportunities
• Access to our Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• 6 weeks parental leave for primary carer and 2 weeks for secondary carer
• Study leave for ongoing employees 

How to Apply

Please send your resume and cover letter as one document, explaining how you meet the role requirements in the position description. Click "Apply" to access the position details or submit your application. 

For a confidential discussion about this opportunity please contact Jennifer Boyle, Placement Manager, on 08 8159 1466.

Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible; applications will be shortlisted as received and the job advertisement may close without notice.

Applications close 5.00 pm, Friday 26th July

Applicants from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. 

With respect, no agencies please.