Executive Director, Aboriginal Policy and Services


CANDIDATE INFORMATION PACK

DEPARTMENT FOR CHILD PROTECTION

Executive Summary

The Department for Child Protection (DCP) works in partnership with families, government and non-government organisations, carers and the community to care for and protect vulnerable children and young people by addressing harm and keeping them safe.

A new position of Executive Director, Aboriginal Policy and Services has been established to assist in driving systemic reform and strategic partnership development, across Government and Non-Government, to strengthen the focus on Aboriginal communities and families and support Aboriginal children and young people to remain safe and supported within family and community care.

Reporting directly to the Chief Executive of DCP the Executive Director is accountable for strategic leadership to ensure the Department’s guiding legislation, and policy and practice are culturally responsive to the needs and issues of Aboriginal children, families and communities. The role will provide quality advice, information and analysis in decision-making, governance, policy, planning and service development within the Department and across government, and lead the Department in forming genuine intentional partnerships with Aboriginal communities, leaders and organisations to develop, design and implement policy and services to enhance outcomes for Aboriginal children and families coming into contact with the child protection system.

If you believe you are a proven leader and change maker in delivering Aboriginal policy or services within the Aboriginal community controlled/non-government sector or public sector and you are immersed in Aboriginal cultural and societal values, beliefs, and customs as a member of the Aboriginal community, we would like to hear from you.

Liz Hlipala, HardyGroup Principal Search Consultant

M: +61 (0)401 122 301

E: lhlipala@hardygroupintl.com

Role Specification

The Executive Director, Aboriginal Policy and Services will demonstrate skill and knowledge in the following:


The Department for Child Protection

The Department for Child Protection (DCP) was formed in November 2016 in response to recommendations from the Child Protection Systems Royal Commission, led by the Honourable Margaret Nyland AM.

The DCP works in partnership with families, government and non-government organisations, carers and the community to care for and protect vulnerable children and young people by addressing harm and keeping them safe.

Where children and young people cannot stay safely in the family home we will find a place for them to live, preferably with members of their family and kinship networks, or with foster carers.

We aim to give young South Australians in our care every opportunity to reach their full potential. We value children and young people's voices and consider their views.

Responsibilities

The department administers the following legislation:

We use a child centred, trauma-informed practice approach that focuses on cultural safety, strengthening families, supporting carers, and working in partnership to meet children and young people’s need for safety.

We are responsible for:

  • responding to concerns about children and young people who have experienced harm or are at risk of harm
  • placing children and young people in care when they are unable to live safely with their families
  • providing case management and support for children and young people under the custody or guardianship of the Chief Executive
  • supporting the reunification of children and young people with their families where it is safe to do so
  • managing the adoption process
  • supporting children and young people from a refugee background through the Commonwealth Guardianship team.

Strategic Plan 2022 - 2026

Vision:

Is for all children and young people to grow up safe, health, connected and feeling loved so they reach their full potential.

Purpose:

The Department for Child Protection protects, cares for and empowers children and young people at risk and in care. We do this by working together with our key partners to respond to abuse and neglect, keep children and young people safe from further harm, help them heal from trauma and reach their full potential.

Aboriginal Children and Young People

The Department for Child Protection is committed to working with Aboriginal children and families in a culturally appropriate manner.

HOW TO APPLY

The closing date for applications is Monday, 21st October 2024

The reference number to include in your application is H24_4929

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 contact Executive Search Coordinator, Natasha Tirado via ntirado@hardygroupintl.com

Applications submitted on-line will receive an automatic receipt. If a receipt in not received within 12 hours we request, you contact the search coordinator listed above to arrange a re-submission of your application if necessary.

APPLICATION

Your application must include:

  1. 1.A cover letter, addressed to the Principal Consultant, including a response to how you meet the Selection Criteria.
  2. 2.A copy of your current Curriculum Vitae

Please view HG’s Written Application Procedure prior to preparing your documentation and applying for the role.


For a confidential discussion, please contact:

Liz Hlipala

Executive Search Consultant

(M) +61 (0)401 122 301

(E) lhlipala@hardygroupintl.com

ABOUT US


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Our synergistic business model of Executive Search and Recruitment integrated with Executive Leadership and Learning is our unique point of difference.

It ensures our clients can count on us for the lifecycle of their organisations leadership journey and why we are regarded as the leading trans-Tasman partner agency by clients.

When engaging HG you can be confident in a deeply personalised experience and service as nothing matters more to us than relationships and results.