Looking for an engaging role that allows you to connect with and positively impact the lives of young people?

The Out of Home Care Directorate is seeking a Youth Engagement Officer to join their team in the Residential Care Unit on a full-time term basis.

The role is responsible for:

Providing insight to uphold young people's rights in Residential Care by ensuring they are consulted on decisions that affect them.

Maintaining a Residential Care Young Persons Group to enable young people to offer feedback, provide advice, and lead projects.

Engaging in consultation with children and young people then providing leadership to staff to ensure their needs are appropriately addressed.

Developing and evaluating programs and activities that are relevant, appropriate and accessible to a range of young people.

Providing guidance to staff on how to engage with young people, ensuring their voice, views and opinions are reflected in influencing policy and decision making.

To be successful, you will have:

Experience at engaging with young people whilst developing programs and offering guidance that support their needs.

Expertise at analysing complex situations and the ability to formulate solutions through interpretation of best practice, policies and legislation.

Proficiency in evaluating issues and offering informed recommendations aimed at creating sustainable, long-term solutions.

Experience at maintaining relationships with a broad range of stakeholders while also being able to work both independently and collaboratively.

Knowledge of using initiative to maintain positive engagement with young people whilst effectively resolving issues as they arise.

If you are looking for a role where you can apply your knowledge to enhance the lives and opportunities of young people, then we encourage you to apply.

About the Business

The Department for Child Protection (DCP) plays a key role in the protection of children, young people and their families within South Australia. The department provides support to vulnerable children and young people to be safe, strong and connected.

There are many benefits to working with DCP, including:

Leave loading and salary packaging opportunities.

Paid parental and partner leave.

Employee Assistance Program (confidential counselling for you and your family).

Free annual flu vaccination for staff.

Fitness Passport (a discounted workplace health and fitness program available to DCP staff and their families).

Essential Qualifications

AHP: A degree level qualification in Social Work which gives eligibility for full membership of the Australian Association of Social Workers.

PO: Appropriate degree qualification in Community Services, Social Sciences, Human Services, Health or related field.

Persons of Australian Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent, who have the appropriate background and skills but do not have the essential qualification, may apply for and be engaged/assigned to the role of Social Worker and will be entitled to apply for any Allied Health Professional roles requiring a qualification in Social Work within the Department for Child Protection (DCP).

To find out more about this role, including the key selection criteria and special conditions, please click the 'apply' button.

Enquiries: Karina Major, Lead Practitioner on 0419 746 948 or email: [email protected]

Our workplace reflects the diverse communities we serve. We encourage applications from all backgrounds, experiences, and abilities. This includes women, people with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, the LGBTQI+ communities, and people from culturally diverse backgrounds.

To apply for this role, please click the 'apply' button to be re-directed to the DCP Career Portal.

Applications Close: 29 August 2025 11:00 PM