Why work with us:

• Are you passionate about the rights of children and young people impacted by the child protection and youth justice systems?
• Do you want to play a part in operationally influencing the out-of-home care and youth detention sectors to meet the unique needs and best interests of children and young people?

You will provide high-level operational oversight and strategic advice to support the Guardian (and her ex-officio roles) to meet their statutory responsibilities and contribute to policy leadership across all 4 legislative mandates. You will provide the Guardian leadership with respect to managing her operational advocacy teams, contributing to systems improvements and strategic impact across South Australia and National platforms.

Who is the Guardian:

The Guardian for Children and Young People (the Guardian) is an independent statutory officer that promotes and protects the interests and rights of children and young people who are under the guardianship, or in the custody, of the Chief Executive of the Department for Child Protection. The functions and powers of the Guardian are set out in section 26 of the Children and Young People (Oversight and Advocacy Bodies) Act 2016.

The role of Child and Young Person’s Visitor (CYPV) is held by the Guardian, ex-officio, and has responsibility for regular visiting and inspection of residential care facilities to monitor the safety and wellbeing of children and young people, in accordance with the functions set out in section 118 of the Child and Young Person (Safety) Act 2017.

The Guardian also holds the role of Training Centre Visitor (TCV) under the Youth Justice Administration Act 2016 in relation to children and young people detained in the Adelaide Youth Training Centre (AYTC) and the Youth Treatment Order Visitor under the Controlled Substances Act 1984 and exercises similar functions in respect of that role.

Together, these roles comprise the Office of the Guardian for Children and Young People (OGCYP).

About the Role:

The Director for Operational Oversight will support the Guardian in all operational oversight matters as it relates to the full range of matters affecting children and young people under guardianship or in youth detention.

The role of the Director for Operational Oversight is to advocate for and promote the rights and best interests of the children and young people:

• Under the guardianship of the Chief Executive of the Department for Child Protection in family-based care, residential care facilities and other non-family based care arrangements.
• Who are in detention in the AYTC.

The Director for Operational Oversight acts on the behalf of the Guardian and their respective ‘ex-officio’ roles in carrying out the functions and powers described in:

• s26 of the Children and Young People (Oversight and Advocacy Bodies) Act 2016.
• s11 of the Youth Justice Administration Act, 2016.
• s118 if the Child and Young People (Safety) Act 2017.
• Part 7A s54L (3) Controlled Substances Act 1984

The role must have regard for the best interests of children and young people under guardianship and/or youth detention. Further, the incumbent must encourage children and young people to express their views and give proper weight to those views.

The role must pay particular attention to children and young people:

• Who are Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
• Have a physical, psychological or intellectual disability
• Who have experienced sexual abuse
• Who are ‘dual involved’ (i.e., in care and detained at the AYTC)

Essential Qualifications:

• Tertiary qualification/s in Social Work, Human Services or other relevant field.

What you will get in return:

• A three-year executive contract.
• Be part of an oversight body that continuously strive to improve the quality of services and care to children and young people in out-of-home care and youth detention.
• Opportunity to be impactful at both individual and systemic levels for children and young people in out-of-home care and youth detention.
• The privilege to amplify the voices of children and young people in out-of-home care and youth detention.

Special Conditions:

The successful applicant is required to gain a Department for Human Services (DHS) working with children check (WWCC) prior to being employed which is required to be renewed every five years before expiry. The incumbent will be required to undertake RRHAN –EC (Responding to Risks of Harm, Abuse and Neglect - Education Care) Facilitator Lead (Masterclass) extended course or the online (Fundamentals) course which will be required to be updated every three years.

For all other Special Conditions please refer to the attached Position Description.

Enquiries:

Enquiries can be directed to Shona Reid, Guardian for Children and Young People, via Tel: (08) 8226 8671 or Email: [email protected] using the subject line: Director - Operational Oversight enquiry via EthicalJobs.

Additional Note:

This is a full-time contract role (1.0 FTE), initial 3 year contract.

A position description is attached.