Director, Quality and Safeguarding
CANDIDATE INFORMATION PACK
DEPARTMENT FOR CHILD PROTECTION
Executive Summary
- Pivotal Leadership Role
- Lead the provision of quality systems to support the delivery of high quality and culturally responsive services
- Be part of ensuring the highest level of care for South Australia’s most vulnerable children
THE OPPORTUNITY
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. DCP are now seeking a Director, Quality and Safeguarding to support high quality, culturally responsive safe practices to vulnerable and at-risk children, young people and their families.
THE ROLE
Reporting to the Chief Practitioner DCP the Director, Quality and Safeguarding provides strategic leadership and expert oversight of quality assurance, safeguarding systems and critical review functions within the Department for Child Protection. As a senior leader within the Office of Professional Practice, the role is responsible for driving systemic improvements that enhance the safety, wellbeing and outcomes of vulnerable children, young people and their families.
The Director leads high-impact initiatives, policy development and cross-sector engagement to ensure DCP’s service delivery is evidence informed, culturally responsive and aligned with best practice standards. With accountability for key functions such as incident reporting, quality of care, strategic projects, practice improvements and operational policy governance, the role is pivotal in strengthening practice accountability and embedding a culture of continuous improvement.
THE CANDIDATE
The successful candidate will need to demonstrate:
- Proven ability to provide strategic leadership and direction within a complex service delivery environment, with a focus of quality, safeguarding, and professional practice.
- Demonstrated experience leading reform and cultural change initiatives across a statewide organisation.
- Strong leadership skills in driving practice and service improvements that reduce risk factors and enhance safety outcomes and for children and young people.
- Extensive knowledge of the child protection and/or human service system and innovative policy, strategy development and service delivery.
- Experience leading and supporting multi-disciplinary teams to deliver both strategic projects and business-as-usual operations aligned with organisational priorities.
- Demonstrated ability to work in partnership with Aboriginal communities and organisations, with a commitment to culturally responsive practice and Closing the Gap outcomes.
- Skilled in identifying systemic risks and emerging practice trends, and applying evidence to inform strategy, policy, and continuous improvement.
- Highly developed communication, negotiation and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to influence and build trust at all levels.
- Demonstrated success in developing and implementing strategic policy, quality frameworks, and governance structures that support high-performing practice.
For a confidential discussion, please get in touch with:
Liz Hlipala, HardyGroup Principal Search Consultant
M. +61 401 122 301
E. lhlipala@hardygroupintl.com
The Department for Child Protection
TThe 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.
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 is a statutory organisation responsible for administering the Children and Young People (Safety) Act 2017
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.
Role Specification
The Director, Quality and Safeguarding provides strategic leadership and expert oversight of quality assurance, safeguarding systems and critical review functions within the Department for Child Protection (DCP). As a senior leader within the Office of Professional Practice, the role is responsible for driving systemic improvements that enhance the safety, wellbeing and outcomes of vulnerable children, young people and their families. The Director leads high-impact initiatives, policy development and cross-sector engagement to ensure DCP’s service delivery is evidence informed, culturally responsive and aligned with best practice standards. With accountability for key functions such as incident reporting, quality of care, strategic projects, practice improvements and operational policy governance, the role is pivotal in strengthening practice accountability and embedding a culture of continuous improvement.
Key Accountabilities for the Director, Quality and Safeguarding include:
- Provide strategic leadership in the development, implementation and continuous improvement of the department’s Quality and Safeguarding functions, ensuring alignment with DCP’s vision, priorities and systemic reform agendas.
- Ensure quality governance systems and accountability mechanisms are embedded across DCP, identifying system level risks and opportunities for policy, practice and workforce development to support improved outcomes for children, young people and their families.
- Provide strategic oversight and leadership in the development, implementation and governance of operational guidance and practice requirements across DCP, ensuring alignment with the department’s Policy Governance Framework and that all guidance reflects best practice, legislative compliance and Commonwealth and State strategic priorities.
- Oversee and lead the department’s critical assurance functions with a focus on continuous improvement, systemic learning, accountability, and the prevention of harm.
- Lead and direct the department’s key safeguarding operational units – including the Significant Incident Reporting Unit, Incident Management Unit and Quality of Care Unit, ensuring insights inform risk mitigation, systemic learning and strategic safeguarding reforms.
- Lead high-impact projects and reform initiatives, ensuring the timely delivery of outcomes that enhance the quality, consistency, and cultural responsiveness of frontline child protection practice.
- Collate, analyse and synthesise data, research and emerging issues to inform evidence-informed practice improvements and provide an evidence-base for the development of policy, service design and continuous quality improvement initiatives.
- Build and maintain strong, strategic partnerships with internal and external stakeholders, including government, non-government, community and Aboriginal organisations, to shape and influence safeguarding policy and service delivery reform.
- Contribute to the recognition, protection, and advancement of the fundamental human rights of self-determination in accordance with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principle.
- Foster a high-performance culture by leading, mentoring and developing staff, supporting capability development, accountability, wellbeing and cultural safety.
- Actively promoting and ensuring the maintenance of a professional, safe and equitable work environment by adhering to all legislative and policy requirements and implementing work practices consistent with applicable government guidelines and legislations, including the Public Sector Act 2009, the Equal Opportunity Act 1984, Work Health and Safety Act 2012 and the State Records Act 1997.
- Driving reform that includes greater transparency, implementation of new legislation, an increased level of accountability, increased compliance and high performing practice.
- Growing a workforce that is knowledgeable, confident and capable that will contribute to improved safety outcomes for children and ultimately reduce the number of children coming into care.
- Prioritising practical delivery with the necessary cultural change needed to move from a compliance focussed organisation to Practice focussed.
- Providing strategic leadership to a workforce which has experienced numerous changes.
- The Director, Quality and Safeguarding is a critical advisor to the executive team in informing policies and procedures. The position will need to act autonomously in respect of day to day operations while significant decisions are made in consultation with the Chief Practitioner, other Directors and the executive team.
This role reports directly to the Chief Practitioner.
Internal Relationships :
- Chief Executive
- Deputy Chief Executive
- Chief Practitioner
- Executive Director, Aboriginal Policy & Services
- Staff in all Directorates
- DCP Executive group
- All practitioners
External Relationships:
- Education and research bodies
- Crown Law and Youth Court
- Oversight bodies including Guardian for Children and Young People, Ombudsman SA
- Peak bodies
- Other state and Commonwealth authorities
The incumbent must have an appropriate tertiary qualification in human services, health, social work or related discipline.
Desirable:
Postgraduate qualification in areas such as public administration, leadership, policy, child protection, safeguarding or quality improvement
- 1.Proven ability to provide strategic leadership and direction within a complex service delivery environment, with a focus of quality, safeguarding, and professional practice.
- 2.Demonstrated experience leading reform and cultural change initiatives across a statewide organisation.
- 3.Strong leadership skills in driving practice and service improvements that reduce risk factors and enhance safety outcomes and for children and young people.
- 4.Extensive knowledge of the child protection and/or human service system and innovative policy, strategy development and service delivery.
- 5.Experience leading and supporting multi-disciplinary teams to deliver both strategic projects and business-as-usual operations aligned with organisational priorities.
- 6.Demonstrated ability to work in partnership with Aboriginal communities and organisations, with a commitment to culturally responsive practice and Closing the Gap outcomes.
- 7.Skilled in identifying systemic risks and emerging practice trends, and applying evidence to inform strategy, policy, and continuous improvement.
- 8.Highly developed communication, negotiation and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to influence and build trust at all levels.
- 9.Demonstrated success in developing and implementing strategic policy, quality frameworks, and governance structures that support high-performing practice.
Staffing: Approximately 50 FTE
The total remuneration package range is from $192,382 to $260,000 per annum.
Service Location: Adelaide
Classification: SAES 1
Term: Negotiated contract appointment for up to 3 years.
The closing date for applications is Monday, 25th August 2025 at 9am.
The reference number to include in your application is H25_5197
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, Natasha Tirado: M: +61 (0)468 301 310 / E: ntirado@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:
Liz Hlipala
HardyGroup Principal Consultant
M. +61 0401 122 301
E. lhlipala@hardygroupintl.com
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