The Out of Home Care Directorate is recruiting multiple Senior Case Managers and Senior Social Workers in Adelaide to support children and young people to experience safe, stable and permanent care. These specialist positions within the Kinship Assessment Team and Long Term Guardianship focus on high quality carer assessments, strong partnerships, and thoughtful decision making that places safety and stability first.

Make Your Qualification Go Further

Same degree, more reward. At DCP, social workers receive the highest pay in the SA Government, thanks to an exclusive 4% allowance permanently secured in our Enterprise Agreement. 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.

Why you’ll love it here, DCP benefits that matter

We know a great career is about more than the work you do. It is also about feeling supported, valued, and able to thrive. At DCP, you will enjoy:

• A collaborative team environment, working alongside people committed to best practice and meaningful impact
• Flexible work options, tailored arrangements to help you balance work and life
• Recognition and growth, celebrating achievements and supporting development opportunities across DCP
• Generous leave, including leave loading to help you rest and recharge
• Paid parental and partner leave, providing additional paid time to support you and your family
• Health and fitness perks, including discounted Fitness Passport memberships and free flu vaccinations
• Wellbeing support, confidential Employee Assistance Program services for you and your family

Essential Qualification

• AHP (Allied Health Professional) positions are designed for applicants who hold a Social Work qualification and are eligible for full membership with the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW).
• PO (Professional Officer) positions are open to applicants with qualifications in Community Services, Human Services, Social Sciences, Health, or other related fields.

AHP Position

Income & Benefits

• Salary: AHP2: $91,785 – $106,330 p.a. + 12% super
• Exclusive Allowance: Additional 4% for child protection social workers, permanently enshrined in the Enterprise Agreement – making DCP the highest-paying government employer in SA.
• Professional Development:
  • $1,000 PD allowance, increasing incrementally each year
  • Reimbursement of PD expenses up to $1,500 (AHP2 level)
• Support: Access to free counselling and wellbeing services for you and your family.
• Recognition: Annual DCP Recognition Awards celebrating staff excellence.

Additional Allowances

• Qualifications Allowance: Available for eligible higher qualifications relevant to the role.

PO Position

Income

• Salary: PO2 – $88,255 – $97,667 p.a. + 12% super

In this role, you will

• Apply evidence based tools to assess carers and identify risk factors in placements
• Work with carers and stakeholders to strengthen placement stability and reduce breakdown risk
• Provide direct social work support to carers throughout the assessment process
• Communicate sensitive information clearly and respectfully across diverse audiences

To be successful

You will be a skilled assessor who can balance evidence, risk and relationship based practice to support safe and stable care arrangements. You bring strong interpersonal skills and can negotiate, present information clearly, and consider other perspectives when working through complex issues.

You will be confident using structured approaches and evidence based practice to assess carer motivation and capacity, identify training and support needs, and contribute to decisions around kinship approvals and long term guardianship pathways. You can manage competing priorities while maintaining quality, timeliness and accountability.

You will value respectful collaboration, cultural consultation and inclusive practice, and you will actively contribute to a safe, supportive workplace culture.

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

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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The Department for Child Protection (DCP) plays a key role in the protection of children, young people and their families within South Australia. The department provides support to vulnerable children and young people to be safe, strong and connected.