Executive Director, Child And Young Person Services

Description:

The Department for Child Protection (DCP) is dedicated to safeguarding and empowering children and young people at risk. Their mission is to respond to abuse and neglect, prevent further harm, assist in healing from trauma, and support individuals in reaching their full potential.

Operating under the vision that all children and young people should grow up safe, healthy, connected, and feeling loved, DCP collaborates with families, government and non-government agencies, carers, and the community to care for and protect vulnerable children and young people.

Role Overview

The Executive Director, Child and Young Person Services is accountable to the Deputy Chief Executive for the effective leadership and delivery of high-quality child protection services across the state. The role is responsible for embedding best practice and sound clinical governance in day-to-day operations, and monitoring system performance to ensure optimal outcomes for children, young people and families.

This position plays a vital and essential role in supporting and empowering the community – especially when it comes to the protection and care of Children and Young People across the entire state.

Key Responsibilities

As the Executive Director, Child and Young Person Services you will be accountable for providing strategic leadership across a multi-disciplinary team to deliver responsive front-line child protection services across the state. You will be responsible for the provision of a 24-hour operational service, ensuring consistency and reliability, implement practice change, foster innovation and drive continuous improvement and oversee complex case management issues.

You will drive inter-agency collaboration and maintain strong relationships, initiate and develop partnerships with non-government and Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations and work in partnership with other Executive Directors and Directors across the department.

Working closely with the Chief Practitioner, you will implement a program of work to deliver the strategy to a high standard, implement systems for policy and performance improvement, and provide strong leadership to front-line child protection workers.

Essential Skills and Expertise

Applicants should tailor their application to highlight how their skills and expertise align with the position's requirements:

• Strong track record in leading complex service delivery, resolving operational issues, and driving performance.
• Extensive management and leadership skills, providing direction and support to multi-disciplinary teams in complex environments.
• Exceptional stakeholder engagement, with the ability to influence change at strategic and operational levels.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills for effective collaboration with internal/external partners, families, and carers.
• Proven success in leading significant reforms and maintaining focus on long-term goals.
• Experienced in driving practice improvements that benefit Aboriginal children, young people, and communities.
• Skilled in managing large budgets within fiscal constraints.
• Critical thinker with the ability to develop and implement strategies that improve service outcomes.
• Senior leadership experience in child protection, human services, health, or education sectors.

For more information please contact Bianca Holmes on 08 7100 1784 or bianca.holmes@harrisonmcmillan.com.au

Please note – all applicant resumes must be submitted in Word format only and must address the key selection criteria mentioned within the role description.

Applications Close COB: 28 March 2025

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.

Flexibility Statement
The South Australian public sector promotes diversity and flexible ways of working including part-time. Applicants are encouraged to discuss the flexible working arrangements for this role.