Purpose of the position

Location Negotiable - Hervey Bay or Bundaberg

The Senior Practitioner is responsible for providing specialist advice, guidance, and oversight to ensure that all carer assessments and the support provided to foster and kinship carers are culturally appropriate and delivered to a high standard in accordance with relevant legislation, practice frameworks, and organisational policy. The overarching focus of this role is to ensure the safety, wellbeing, and needs of children in placements are met.

This position requires the application of advanced child protection and cultural knowledge, as well as highly developed skills in engagement, assessment, and intervention with children and families from diverse backgrounds, including those with complex needs. A strengths-based, safety-oriented approach is essential. The Senior Practitioner recognises and articulates the interests of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and demonstrates the ability to consult and engage in accordance with cultural protocols. An understanding of the issues impacting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in contemporary society is essential.

Responsibilities and duties

• Lead and promote culturally safe, high-quality practice within the Bundaberg and Fraser Coast Foster and Kinship Care Team.
• Manage, oversee, and complete intake and assessment processes for all potential foster and kinship carers.
• Identify and monitor support needs for all carer households with a focus on placement stability, distinguishing between general and intensive support needs.
• Coordinate access to brokerage and IPS funding as appropriate, liaise with Child Safety and CQID IPS Manager to ensure support is targeted and effective.
• Engage with government services, community organisations, and private providers to address the complex needs of children and carers.
• Champion a quality practice and continuous improvement culture within the team.
• Provide expert guidance on complex case matters, legislation, policy, and best practice approaches.
• Advise senior management on practice trends, client needs, and opportunities for service delivery enhancement.
• Promote excellence in public service and identify ways to enhance community impact through quality service delivery.
• Ensure services are culturally responsive and aligned with legislative and policy frameworks, respecting the context of each child, carer, and community
• Provide leadership in service delivery planning, resource allocation, and staff development; support the Manager in strategic planning and operational execution.
• Develop and maintain collaborative and professional relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Be accountable for achieving service targets and contribute to CQID’s strategic and operational goals.
• Provide supervision and support to the Senior Program Support Worker.
• Contribute to the organisation’s compliance with ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System and Health Standards Quality Systems (HSQS).
• Comply with CQID’s Workplace Health and Safety policies and procedures.
• Undertake other duties as directed by the Manager.

Qualifications and experience

To be successful in this role you will need to demonstrate capability in the following areas:

• Holds a current C Class Queensland Driver’s Licence
• Current Working with Children Check, “Blue Card”
• Holds or is willing to obtain a First Aid and CPR Certificate
• Higher Certificate of Education or minimum three years working in Child Protection field
• Tertiary qualifications in Human Services
• Qualifications or knowledge related to Child Protection
• Experience at successfully leading and developing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff members
• Experience at successful service delivery to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
• Experienced in client engagement and case collaboration

Skills and attributes

• Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander heritage – [Note: Non-Indigenous applicants will only be considered if no suitable Indigenous candidates are attracted in the first round of applicants].
• Competent in use of Microsoft Office software
• Physical ability to undertake job responsibilities
• Ability to communicate effectively; spoken and written
• Self-starter, motivated and able to self-manage work tasks
• Strong connection to and knowledge of local Indigenous Community