The Department for Child Protection is seeking multiple Clinical Leads to join our Kinship Care directorate in Blair Athol. These statewide roles provide expert guidance to staff working with kinship carers, children and families. You will help shape practice quality, support professional development and contribute to the development of policy and initiatives that strengthen outcomes for vulnerable children. This is an opportunity to use your clinical expertise to influence practice, uplift capability and drive positive, lasting change across the Kinship Care Program.

Make Your Qualification Go Further

Same degree, more reward. At DCP, allied health professionals working in child protection receive an exclusive 4% allowance permanently secured in our Enterprise Agreement — making these among the most competitively paid roles in the SA Government. Combine that with up to $2,500 annual professional development support, clear pathways for advancement, and the chance to leave a lasting legacy in child protection, and your qualification goes further here than anywhere else.

Why Work with DCP?

At the Department for Child Protection, you’ll find more than just a job. You’ll discover a career where your skills are valued, your impact is meaningful, and your rewards are unmatched.

We play a key role in protecting children, young people, and their families in South Australia, providing support to help vulnerable individuals be safe, strong, and connected.

What We Offer

• Employee Wellbeing: Free annual flu vaccination, Employee Assistance Program (confidential counselling for you and your family), and other wellbeing initiatives.
• Career Development: Permanent roles, annual increments, up to $2,500 in professional development support, and clear career pathways.
• Parental & Partner Leave: Paid leave options to support you and your family.
• Recognition: Annual DCP Recognition Awards celebrating staff excellence.
• Learning & Development: Strong commitment to ongoing professional growth and learning opportunities.

Income & Benefits

• Salary: AHP4 $118,887 - $129,427 p.a. plus 12% super
• Exclusive Allowance: Extra 4% for allied health professionals in child protection, permanently secured in the Enterprise Agreement, ensuring among the most competitive salaries in SA Government.
• Leave Loading: Applicable in line with Enterprise Agreement
• Professional Development: $1,000 allowance (increasing each year) plus reimbursement of PD expenses up to $1,500 (AHP4 level)
• Additional Qualifications Allowance
• Relocation Assistance & Incentives: Regional incentive payments, government housing, or rental support (for regional/remote roles only)

In this role, you will

• Provide leadership and mentoring to strengthen practice across the Kinship Care Program
• Lead the use of evidence based clinical approaches that support kinship carers
• Offer high quality advice to staff, managers and government stakeholders
• Contribute to policy, practice development and service improvement initiatives

To be successful

You will be an experienced practitioner with strong clinical expertise and a deep understanding of child protection, family systems and the needs of children in kinship care. Your background working directly with children and families will allow you to provide informed, evidence based advice and support. You will bring confidence in navigating complex issues, applying ethical decision making and promoting high quality practice.

Your leadership style will model professionalism, learning and collaboration. You will demonstrate the ability to guide practice improvement, support staff capability and contribute to strategic planning within the directorate. Strong communication, relationship building and cultural awareness are essential to supporting safe and inclusive services for children, families and kinship carers.

If this sounds like you, we encourage you to apply.

Essential: A degree level qualification in an appropriate human services field (Social Work, Psychology, Allied Health Professionals) which gives eligibility for full membership of the relevant professional body.

Persons of Australian Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent, who have the appropriate background and skills but do not have the essential qualification, may apply for and be engaged/assigned to the role of Social Worker and will be entitled to apply for any Allied Health Professional roles requiring a qualification in Social Work within the Department for Child Protection (DCP).

To find out more about this role, including the key selection criteria and special conditions, please click on the attached role description.

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Kinship Care is a type of family-based care provided to children and young people under the Guardianship or Custody of the Chief Executive, or another order of authority. Kinship carers may be relatives, extended family members, kin, or individuals who had an existing relationship with the child or young person.

In South Australia, kinship carers are supported by both the DCP Kinship Care Program and the Aboriginal Kinship Care Support Program, which is operated by Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs). These programs provide ongoing support, information, and training to identified kinship carers.

The DCP Kinship Care Program:

• Provides a state-wide program offering targeted support, information, and training to kinship carers based on their needs.
• Includes support to Aboriginal carers and carers of Aboriginal children and young people who wish to be supported by the DCP Kinship Care Program.
• Is delivered through eight teams aligned to North and South locations.

What We Offer

• Employee Assistance Program: confidential and independent counselling for you and your family
• Paid Parental and Partner Leave
• Free annual flu vaccination for staff
• Leave loading and salary packaging opportunities