CQID is experiencing organisational growth across all services and seeking suitable candidates for a range of positions.
CQID is one of the largest employers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the Central Queensland region. Offering a broad range of service areas, with roles that serve our community across Rockhampton, Bundaberg, Emerald, Gladstone, Hervey Bay, Longreach, Maryborough and Woorabinda.
A new organisational structure, designated HR team and the implementation of a new Workforce Strategy. Striving to support employees on their career journey is a priority and contributes us to being an Employer of Choice.
Purpose of the Role
The Out of Home Care (OOHC) Program Manager provides leadership, operational oversight and practice direction for CQID’s OOHC services, ensuring the delivery of safe, stable, culturally responsive and trauma-informed care for children and young people.
The position is responsible for effective service delivery in accordance with the Child Protection Act 1999 (Qld), Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principle (ATSICPP), funding requirements, organisational policies and quality standards. The role provides leadership in placement and care decision-making, risk management, compliance, workforce capability, performance and continuous improvement.
The OOHC Program Manager builds strong partnerships with children, young people, families, carers, the Department of Child Safety, Seniors and Disability Services (DCSSDS), community partners and CQID teams to ensure services are culturally safe, child-centred and achieve positive outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, young people and families.
The position contributes to program planning, reporting, resource management and service improvement initiatives and is required to travel across CQID locations as required.
Responsibilities and Duties
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Provide strategic and operational leadership across CQID’s Out of Home Care and Supported Independent Living Services (SILS), ensuring service delivery aligns with legislation, funding requirements, organisational policies and practice frameworks
- Provide oversight of placement decision-making, care planning, support planning, risk management, placement stability and outcomes for children and young people in care
- Ensure children and young people receive culturally safe, trauma-informed and child-centred support that promotes safety, wellbeing, identity, family and community connection, participation and independence
- Lead practice governance, quality assurance and continuous improvement activities, including file reviews, practice reviews, audits and implementation of improvement strategies
- Provide leadership, supervision and support to program leaders and staff, promoting accountability, reflective practice, professional development and workforce capability
- Embed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principle (ATSICPP) principles and culturally responsive practice across OOHC service delivery, reflecting CQID’s role as an Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisation
- Build and maintain strong partnerships with the Department of Child Safety, young people, families, carers, community organisations and service providers to support positive outcomes
- Ensure compliance with legislative, regulatory, contractual and organisational requirements, including oversight of incident management, risk management, safeguarding practices and corrective actions
- Oversee program reporting, performance monitoring, data quality, budget management and resource allocation to support effective and sustainable service delivery
- Provide oversight of operational requirements including placement support, service coordination, workforce planning, rostering and escalation pathways to maintain safe and effective care environments
- Contribute to CQID’s strategic priorities, organisational reform, service improvement initiatives and integrated community-controlled service delivery approaches
To be successful in this role you will need to demonstrate capability in the following areas:
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Relevant tertiary qualifications and/or significant experience in human services, social work, community services, youth services, child and family services, housing, disability, governance, compliance, quality assurance or related fields
- Demonstrated experience in Out of Home Care, Supported Independent Living Services (SILS), Child Protection, youth services or related community service environments
- Demonstrated leadership experience managing teams and delivering effective services within complex community service environments
- Strong understanding of Queensland’s child protection and OOHC frameworks, including relevant legislation, standards, practice requirements and service delivery expectations
- Experience working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, young people, families and communities, with an understanding of culturally safe and community-controlled practice
- Strong knowledge and application of:
- Child Protection Act 1999 (Qld)
- Out of Home Care standards and practice frameworks
- Trauma-informed, therapeutic and strengths-based approaches
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principle (ATSICPP)
- Demonstrated experience leading practice improvement activities, including file reviews, quality assurance processes, audits, risk reviews and implementation of continuous improvement strategies
- Demonstrated experience in program reporting, contract reporting, data quality assurance, performance monitoring and using data to inform service improvement
- Strong relationship-building, negotiation and influencing skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with young people, families, Department of Child Safety, staff, community stakeholders and service partners
- Demonstrated leadership and change management capability, including supporting teams through organisational change, reform, new systems and evolving practice expectations
- High-level professional judgement and decision-making skills, with the ability to assess risk, balance competing priorities and make evidence-informed decisions
- Highly developed written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare reports, provide advice and communicate complex information clearly and sensitively
- Demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities, meet deadlines and maintain professionalism within a complex and changing service delivery environment
- Understanding of CQID’s purpose, values and commitment to Aboriginal Community-Controlled practice, with the ability to contribute to integrated service delivery and organisational priorities
Other Requirements
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Current Queensland Blue Card (Working with Children Check) or ability to obtain and maintain
- Satisfactory Police Check clearance
- Current Queensland Driver Licence
- Ability and willingness to travel
- Ability to participate in after-hours support, escalation processes and/or on-call responsibilities as required
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
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OOHC and SILS programs are effectively led and managed through strong operational oversight, practice leadership and accountability for service outcomes
- Children and young people receive safe, stable, culturally responsive and trauma-informed support that aligns with legislative, contractual and organisational requirements
- Placement, support and care planning processes are effectively managed, with risks identified, escalated and addressed in a timely manner
- Program reporting, contractual reporting requirements, performance data and quality information are accurate, completed within required timeframes and used to inform service improvement
- Quality assurance activities, including case note reviews, file reviews, practice audits and compliance monitoring, are completed and inform continuous improvement strategies
- Workforce capability is strengthened through effective leadership, supervision, performance management, recruitment support and identification of training and development needs
- Program risks, incidents, safeguarding concerns and compliance requirements are proactively monitored, managed and escalated appropriately
- Operational requirements, including workforce planning, rostering, resources and service coordination, are effectively managed to support safe and consistent service delivery
- Strong partnerships are maintained with children and young people, families, the Department of Child Safety, staff, community organisations and relevant stakeholders
- CQID remains audit ready and compliant with relevant legislation, standards, funding agreements and organisational requirements
- The role contributes to improved outcomes, accountability and culturally safe service delivery for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, young people, families and communities
Work Health & Safety
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Promote and maintain a safe working environment for employees, young people, families, carers and stakeholders across OOHC and SILS service delivery
- Ensure compliance with Work Health and Safety legislation, CQID policies, procedures and risk management requirements
- Identify, assess and respond to workplace and service delivery risks, hazards, incidents and safety concerns in a timely manner
- Promote a culture of safety, wellbeing, accountability and continuous improvement across teams and service environments
Cultural Commitment
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Demonstrated commitment to supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, young people, families and communities through culturally safe, responsive and strengths-based practice
- Ability to embed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principle (ATSICPP) principles, cultural safety and inclusive practices across service delivery
- Demonstrated understanding of the importance of culture, connection, identity and community in achieving positive outcomes for children and young people
Please visit https://www.cqid.com.au for more information
