Director, Safer Family Services
Department of Human Services
CANDIDATE INFORMATION PACK
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The Department of Human Services (DHS), acknowledge and respect Aboriginal people as South Australia’s First Peoples and the Traditional Owners and occupants of lands and waters of South Australia. We respect and celebrate the varied cultural and spiritual identities of Aboriginal communities.
Executive Summary
- Lead reform that strengthens early support for children and families
- Set the direction and culture of Safer Family Services, supporting strong practice and better outcomes across the system
- Work in close partnership with Aboriginal communities, government and non-government organisations to improve long-term outcomes for children and families
THE OPPORTUNITY
The Director, Safer Family Services is a key leadership role within the Department of Human Services’ Child and Family Support division, which has a mandate to shape and deliver the Child and Family Support System. The role operates at the intersection of policy, practice and service delivery, requiring strong system leadership across government, non-government and community partners. A particular focus is placed on improving outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families through culturally responsive practice and genuine co-design.
THE ROLE
Reporting to the Executive Director, Child and Family Support, the Director leads the strategic direction, performance and governance of state-wide child and family support services. The role has responsibility for a large, multidisciplinary and geographically dispersed workforce delivering early intervention, intensive family services and family support programs. Accountabilities include driving reform, overseeing major funding and service initiatives, strengthening practice quality and workforce capability, and ensuring robust risk management, performance and accountability. The Director also provides high-level, evidence-informed advice to the Minister and senior departmental leaders and contributes to whole-of-government strategy within the eco-system of community services.
THE CANDIDATE
The successful candidate will be an experienced senior leader with a strong track record in leading complex human services systems. They will bring strategic and systems-thinking capability, experience leading operational services, and the ability to build trust, resolve complexity and lead cultural change. High levels of emotional intelligence, resilience and political acumen are essential, as is the capacity to influence across portfolios and partner effectively with government agencies, non-government providers and Aboriginal organisations. Relevant tertiary qualifications in social work, psychology, human services, public administration or a related field, or equivalent executive experience, are desirable.
For a confidential discussion, please get in touch with:
Lynette Taylor
HG Executive Director, Search and Recruitment
M. +61 (0)431 293 861
E. ltaylor@hardygroupintl.com
DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES
At the Department of Human Services (DHS), we're dedicated to enhancing South Australians' lives by promoting inclusion, independence, community support and modern services.
Our mission is to develop and implement modern, innovative and relevant services across our entire community so all South Australians can be connected and included. Our programs and services aim to ensure South Australians are safe, empowered and connected in their communities.
DHS is responsible for commissioning human services across the not-for-profit sector and investing in the community through grants and funding. We provide core services including:
- adult safeguarding
- cost of living concessions and rebates
- disability services
- employment-related screening
- family safety and support
- homelessness services
- youth justice.
We also lead important government reforms in:
- disability inclusion
- intensive family support services
- supporting South Australians to age well
- women’s equality and safety.
Our services span South Australia, from Kaurna Country in Adelaide to the many regional communities that make up the state. This includes working alongside communities in the far west and Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Lands in the north-west.
Child and Family Support
The Child and Family Support (CFS) Division helps South Australian families by empowering them with knowledge, skills and professional support and is dedicated to creating a future where every child can grow up safe, supported, and deeply connected to their family and culture.
CFS provides system stewardship of the Child and Family Support System (CFSS) focused on creating a support system that genuinely works for families when they need it most, through timely, relevant services that create real, lasting change.
To achieve this, we’re using a public health approach, grounded in evidence and real-world results, and building a system that values individual voices, especially those of families and children directly impacted. We are actively listening and evolving our practices to be more inclusive, recognising the diversity of experience within our communities. We form strong partnerships to ensure that every decision we make is informed by what works, not just what sounds good on paper. This commitment to “walking the walk” means learning continuously, being open to new approaches, and sometimes taking healthy calculated risks that drive meaningful improvement.
Our work is about being proactive, not just reactive. We are at the forefront, challenging established norms to shape a system that truly serves its purpose. By supporting these efforts, we’re creating a system that disrupts, learns, adapts, and ultimately supports children and families in meaningful ways.
Our North Star
The North Star is our guiding purpose that steers every action and decision toward our shared vision.
curious brave accountable reliable unconditional positive regard
TO OUR STAFF
- We raise the voices of children
- We walk alongside, supporting families to recognise and build on their strengths
- We believe in the capability and capacity of families
- We build trusting relationships to understand risk and safety with children, young people and families
- We support communities to grow
- We have the difficult conversations
- We contribute to systemic change through collaboration with key government and non-government partners and Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations
FOR OUR CLIENTS
- Children are seen, heard and feel safe
- Families have insights into their child’s needs
- Families are empowered and supported
- Communities are strengthened
North Star artwork by Sasha Hill.
AS A DIVISION
- We drive and enable the North Star
- We lead accountability
- We bring the North Star to life throughout CFS
- We row in unison
- Every action and decision reflects the North Star
AS AN EMPLOYER
- Keeping children safe in their families, communities and culture
- Regardless of constant change, we hold strong to the North Star
- Attract the right people to work with CFS
- Reform and system design reflect the North Star
- Everyone shares the same vision
- Reduce child protection risk
CFS is comprised of three directorates:
- Safer Family Services
- System Stewardship
- Pathways, Evidence and Partnerships
Safer Family Services
What we do and how we operate:
Safer Family Services delivers over 50% of the State’s child and family support services, ranging from community capacity building to intensive case management. We work directly with system partners across child protection, health, and education to meet the broad safety needs of children and families.
Our purpose is clear: to keep children safe, healthy ─ prioritising family support and stability while advocating for intervention when necessary.
Learning is at the core of our service delivery; we continually test, refine, improve and innovate to develop evidence-based practice.
Our experience in delivery ─ and the critical data that we collect ─ strengthens, stewards and shapes a system that places children at the heart.
We do this through:
FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES
We provide resources for parents and families such as parenting workshops, community events, and trusted information on common parenting topics and managing a range of concerns to empower them with knowledge and skills and lead them to support that they may need.
INTENSIVE FAMILY SERVICES
We provide specialist services for children and their families where there are high level safety concerns with the aim of keeping children safe and families together – including intensive case management to help families move out of (or away from) the child protection system. We do this by working with the child, their family and other key partners to hold clinical and cultural elements in balance to address risks to safety, while developing goals and strategies to strengthen child and family safety, wellbeing and functioning.
GENERAL SYSTEM SUPPORT
We support the delivery of child and family services more broadly, from other government departments that influence the system to non-government organisations that provide service, (including Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations). We do this by building network relationships to solve common challenges, informing the DHS commissioning process and providing education and advice directly to providers.
Role Specification
The Director, Safer Family Services (SFS) is a role within Child and Family Support (CFS) and is accountable to the Executive Director, CFS for:
- Leading the design, establishment, management and evaluation of service delivery that supports the reform of Child and Family Support System (CFSS) and reflects appropriate review and evaluation, feedback mechanisms, a focus on teamwork, effective risk management and collaboration.
- Providing leadership in strategic engagement with government agencies, non-government providers and other stakeholders to reduce the number of children going in to out of home care, with a particular focus on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.
- Providing ongoing strategic advice to the Minister and Chief Executive of the Department of Human Services (DHS) on service delivery and key dependencies and sensitivities of the CFSS.
- Overseeing the delivery of major funding and service initiatives to address child and family support reform, ensuring accountability and measurable outcomes.
- 1.Establishing strategic directions and actions for the SFS directorate, lead the implementation of the business plan, manage internal resources according to organisational priorities and put strategies in place to ensure continuous improvement.
- 2.Provide leadership in the delivery of high quality, efficient and effective services to foster an environment that inspires staff to continually improve client experience and actively promote a culture of performance accountability.
- 3.Ensure that there is a specific focus on the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander co-design principles in the development of systems and services.
- 4.Provide high level leadership in practice development and the development of appropriate tools and framework to support practitioners across the sector.
- 5.Provide authoritative strategic advice and high-level briefing to the Minister, Chief Executive, Deputy Chief Executive, and other senior leaders in collaboration with the Assistant Director, SFS on all matters pertaining to the CFSS.
- 6.Provide visionary executive leadership to the SFS directorate by fostering a high-performing, inclusive organisational culture that prioritises capability development, change management, innovation, and alignment with public sector values and whole-of-government strategies.
- 7.Commission and oversee independent evaluations and foster strategic partnerships with external organisations and government agencies to embed evidence-based practice and continuous learning across programs and policies to support CFSS reform.
Note: Any other responsibilities in line with the classification level of the role as assigned by Line Manager and/or the Department. The responsibilities as specified above may be altered in accordance with the changing requirements of the role.
View the full scope of these in the Position Description.
Desirable
- Appropriate degree or equivalent qualification which gives eligibility for full membership of the Australian Association of Social Workers; or
- Tertiary qualification in psychology, human services, criminal justice, public administration, social or behavioural sciences, business administration or related fields; or
- Equivalent executive experience in leading complex policy, reform, or service delivery in the areas of child protection, child and family support, or human services.
- 1.Sector Experience – Demonstrated knowledge of leading best practice and contemporary practice in the field of child and family support services, and the ability to translate this into practice across a complex system of government and non-government services
- 2.Strategic Leadership and Alignment – Ability to set and drive long-term reform agendas that align with departmental goals, State and Commonwealth child and family support priorities, and broader government strategies.
- 3.People Leadership and Change Management – Demonstrated ability to lead high-performing teams, build workforce capability, and drive inclusive, future-focused organisational change.
- 4.Innovation and Evidence-Based Practice – High-level strategic thinking skills, with a demonstrated ability to design, implement, and evaluate innovative systems, strategies, and partnerships that enhance population health outcomes and ensure the delivery of high-quality service interventions.
- 5.Executive Policy and Advisory Expertise – Proven capability to lead complex policy and legislative initiatives and provide high-level, evidence-informed advice to Ministers, executives, and senior decision-makers.
- 6.Political Acumen and Communication – High-level communication and influencing skills, with the ability to operate effectively in politically sensitive contexts and represent the state in national policy forums.
- 7.Relationship and Partnerships – Exceptional relationship management capability with the ability to negotiate and influence at all levels and to engage, build strong relationships, collaborate, and develop mutually beneficial alliances and partnerships with stakeholders, Aboriginal communities, elders, organisations and peak groups with a commitment to closing the gap and inequities in the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal communities, particularly infants, children, young people and women who are most at risk.
- Executive Director, CFS (line manager)
- Minister responsible for portfolio
- Chief and Deputy Chief Executive
- DHS executives and senior Managers
- SFS staff
- Non-government organisations, key community groups, including NGO peak bodies
- Pathways, Evidence and Partnerships and System Stewardship directorates regarding collaborative reform
- The key government agencies, specifically, Department for Child Protection, Department for Education, and Department for Health & Wellbeing
- Key personnel across all levels of government
Classification: SAES Level 1
Service Location: Adelaide, SA
- Prior to being employed, the successful applicant will be required to obtain a National Police Check if new to the Department, and a satisfactory Working With Children Check is required for the role.
- Must hold a current Australian issued Driver’s Licence (equivalent to minimum class ‘C’ – South Australian), which must be maintained. Incumbent must be willing and able to drive all government vehicles within their licence classification during the course of their duties.
- Interstate and intrastate travel may be required and may include overnight stays.
The closing date for applications is Friday, 20 February 2026
The reference number to include in your application is H26_5347
Note: Please use the online platform to submit your application. It will not be accepted via email.
If you require assistance in submitting your application online, please get in touch with Executive Search Coordinator, Bradie Hammat: M: +61 (0)417 882 900 / E: bhammat@hardygroupintl.com
Your application must include:
- 1.Cover letter addressed to the Principal Consultant;
- 2.A written response addressing the key selection criteria; and
- 3.An up to date copy of your Curriculum Vitae.
It Is standard practice for HardyGroup to acknowledge receipt of your application no later than the next business day. We request that if you do not receive the acknowledgement, you contact the search coordinator listed above as soon as possible after the 24-hour business period and arrange to resend your application if necessary.
For a confidential discussion, please contact:
Lynette Taylor
HG Executive Director, Search and Recruitment
M. +61 (0)431 293 861
E. ltaylor@hardygroupintl.com
LIVING AND WORKING IN ADELAIDE
Adelaide enjoys a reputation for remarkable liveability thanks to its pleasant climate, manageable size and relaxed South Australian pace.
With warm summers, mild winters and generally clear skies, the city balances sophisticated urban living with a laid-back lifestyle, all framed by easy access to coastal and wine-region escapes.
The city has a vibrant cultural identity, with festivals, local music and a strong dining scene thriving across neighbourhood precincts. Known as the Festival State, South Australia hosts a packed calendar of cultural and culinary celebrations, including the world's second-largest Fringe Festival, Adelaide Festival, and Tasting Australia. The city also holds international and national sporting events, with the iconic Adelaide Oval as a centrepiece for sport and entertainment.
Adelaide Oval roof climbers take on the challenge during an Ashes cricket test (Credit)
Leafy suburbs offer both charm and community spirit, and many people appreciate the short commuting distances, affordable housing, and the distinctive character of areas such as North Adelaide, Norwood, Unley and the beachside suburbs of Glenelg and Henley Beach.
Golden hour at Glenelg Beach (Credit)
The Adelaide Botanic Gardens are a green serene paradise in the middle of the city (Credit)
Nature is never far away. Just 20 minutes from the city centre are pristine beaches, hills made for hiking, and the surrounding park lands that wrap around the CBD. Beyond Adelaide, regional South Australia offers dramatic landscapes, national parks, and abundant wildlife - from rugged coastlines to outback ranges and hidden caves.
Education is well catered for across metropolitan Adelaide, with a mix of high-quality public and private schools and several world-class tertiary institutions including the University of Adelaide, University of South Australia and Flinders University.
A barrel at Yalumba Wines, Angaston (Credit)
Food and wine are central to life in Adelaide, with a proud reputation as one of the Great Wine Capitals of the World. The city is home to top chefs, boutique producers, and the iconic Adelaide Central Market - one of the largest undercover fresh produce markets in the southern hemisphere.
With its blend of social vibrancy, natural beauty, culinary excellence, education and liveability, Adelaide offers a welcoming and well-balanced setting in which to live, learn and thrive.
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