Assistant Director, Placements | Full-time Temporary with a Possibility of Permanency

Closes: 05 September 2026

Classification: Senior Officer Grade C
Salary: $127,597 - $136,873 plus superannuation
Position No: 67920
Directorate: Health and Community Services
Advertised (Gazettal date): 27 August 2026
Contact Officer: Carmel Swan on Carmel.Swan@act.gov.au or (02) 6207 9536

Details: We are seeking an experienced Assistant Director, Placements to lead a high-performing team that enables safe, suitable, and sustainable placement options for children and young people who are unable to remain in their family homes.

Reporting to the Director, Placements, you will provide leadership across placement coordination and out of home care (OOHC) services, ensuring children and young people receive the right care, support and services at the right time. You will work closely with Child and Youth Protection Services practitioners, OOHC providers, government agencies and community partners to support a continuum of care that meets statutory obligations and promotes the best interests of children and young people.

In this role, you will maintain and strengthen partnerships across the OOHC sector, provide expert advice to senior leaders and decision-making panels, and oversee the development of quality placements that are culturally safe, inclusive and responsive to individual needs. You will lead planning and coordination for children and young people with high and complex needs, including collaboration with NDIS and other service providers, while ensuring appropriate documentation and supports are in place prior to placement.

You will also oversee risk assessment and mitigation processes, facilitate collaborative problem-solving across stakeholders, and support regular reviews that promote stability and long-term care outcomes. A strong understanding of the Children and Young People Act 2008, the Our Booris Our Way recommendations, and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principles will be highly regarded.

Health and Community Services Directorate (HCSD) is an inclusive employer where all people are respected and valued for their contribution. We strongly encourage and welcome applications from Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people, People with Disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, veterans, mature age workers and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ) people.

Eligibility/Other Requirements:

• Relevant tertiary qualifications in Social Work, Psychology, Social Welfare, Social Science or a related discipline, are desirable but not essential.
• At least three years practice experience working with children, young people and their carers or families is essential.
• Prior to commencement, the successful candidate will be required to undergo a pre-employment National Police Check
• This position requires a Working with Vulnerable People Check. Prior to commencing this role, a current registration issued under the Working with Vulnerable People (Background Checking) Act 2011 is required. For further information on Working with Vulnerable People registration refer to - Apply for or renew a WWVP registration - Access Canberra
• Driver’s license Class C is essential.
• As the successful candidate will work with, or is likely to work, with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and young people, cultural awareness, the capacity to work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is highly desirable for this position.

Note: This is a temporary position available immediately for six months with the possibility of extension (not exceeding 12 months) and/or permanency.

A merit pool may be will be established from this selection process and will be used to fill vacancies over the next 12 months.

How to Apply: Applicants should submit a statement of no more than two pages demonstrating how their experience, skills and knowledge will enable them to undertake the role in relation to the “What You Require” capabilities listed on the Position Description. Please also submit a current curriculum vitae and the contact details of two referees with a thorough knowledge of your work performance. Please ensure that one of the referees is your current or immediate past supervisor.

Applications should be submitted .

Note: Under the ACTPS employment framework you may be placed in another role where required for the efficient administration of the service.

Where an offer of employment is for a fixed-term period, any related temporary contracts within the Territory will be issued in compliance with the requirements and applicable exceptions outlined in the Fair Work Act.

The ACT public service is committed to closing the gap, underpinned by the belief that when Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have a genuine say in the design and delivery of policies, programs and services that affect them, better life outcomes are achieved. More information can be found here ACT Closing the Gap Implementation Plan - ACT Government Transparency Portal.

#LI-DNI

Note

This is a temporary position available immediately for six months with the possibility of extension (not exceeding 12 months) and/or permanency.