Foster Care Engagement Officer

About the role 

Are you passionate about building stronger communities and helping create safe, nurturing homes for children and young people who need it most? Do you thrive on engaging with people, delivering meaningful campaigns, and making a real impact on the ground? 

We’re looking for a motivated and community-focused Foster Care Engagement Officer to support the delivery of recruitment and engagement strategies across the Perth Metro and Pilbara regions. Working closely with the Carer Recruitment and Development Coordinator, you’ll play a key role in connecting with communities, supporting events and campaigns, and helping attract and inspire future foster carers. 

You will also take the lead in supporting and developing our existing foster carers, providing opportunities for them to be a part of a thriving foster care community. You will organise family events and source specialised training options.  

If you’re ready to take on a hands-on role where your work truly matters, we’d love to hear from you. 

What we offer at MacKillop: 

• SCHADS 4 is $46.70-$50.25 PH - Dependent on qualifications & experience 
• Salary packaging meaning more money in your pocket – salary packaging up to $18,550 per year, which allows you to reduce the amount of tax you pay. 
•  Wellbeing that matters - Free, confidential support for mental, physical, financial and social wellbeing. 
• Sanctuary Organisation - MacKillop’s work is underpinned by the Sanctuary Model, an evidence supported, whole of organisation framework that brings our values to life. The model reinforces our ability to create a safe environment that teaches people to cope effectively with stress and trauma, and to heal. 
• First Nations career pathways – Warrungarli Strategy supporting recruitment, retention and professional development 
• Community & connection – Opportunity to join Ngindaay Guumaldanha, our Aboriginal Staff Network 

In this role, you’ll: 

• Support the design and delivery of marketing and recruitment strategies to attract foster carers 
• Contribute to the development of Foster Care community engagement plans and targeted campaigns 
• Work closely with the Communications team to deliver clear, consistent Foster Carer recruitment messaging 
• Assist with event coordination, outreach activities, and community presence 
• Build relationships with local stakeholders, organisations, and community groups 
• Support the integration of marketing, communications, and engagement activities 
• Contribute to reporting and continuous improvement of recruitment outcomes 
• Support the development and retention of foster carers by organising events and sourcing training opportunities  
• Champion trauma-informed practice and the Sanctuary Model across all activities 
• Ensure compliance with child protection, organisational policies, and safety standards 

We are recruiting a Foster Care Engagement Officer based across the Perth Metro and Pilbara region, with regular travel required. The role sits within the WA Carer Recruitment and Development program and reports to Carer Recruitment and Development Coordinator, working closely with the Community Engagement team. 

This is a full time position with flexibility required, including occasional evenings and weekends. Key Selection Criteria: 

To be successful in this role, you will have: 

• A qualification in welfare services, marketing, community engagement, business, human resources, education, or a related field 
• Demonstrated experience in community engagement, stakeholder engagement, event management, or marketing/communications 
• Experience in customer service or similar people-focused roles 
• Strong communication, relationship-building, and influencing skills 
• High-level organisational and time management skills 
• Ability to work collaboratively and independently 
• Understanding of out-of-home care standards and frameworks (desirable) 

Please address the full Key Selection Criteria outlined in the Position Description as part of your application. 

We value the unique knowledge, perspectives, and cultural contributions of First Nations peoples. Your experience and insights are important to us, and we strongly encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates to apply. 

You must have: 

• A valid Driver’s Licence 
• A valid Blue Card / Working with Children Check 
• A valid NDIS Worker Check 
• A satisfactory Criminal History Check (paid by MacKillop) 

Our Commitment: 

MacKillop celebrates and draws strength from diversity and respects the dignity of all people. Every person has the right to be safe and to be treated justly. We value every person’s ability, cultural or linguistic backgrounds, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, intersex status, relationship status, religious or spiritual beliefs, socio-economic status, and age. 

It is our goal that we continue to evolve as a culturally safe, culturally competent, and welcoming organisation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, young people, families, and communities. 

Shortlisting may commence immediately, so please apply as soon as possible.