CQID is experiencing organisational growth across all services and seeking suitable candidates for a range of positions.
CQID is one of the largest employers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the Central Queensland region. Offering a broad range of service areas, with roles that serve our community across Rockhampton, Bundaberg, Emerald, Gladstone, Hervey Bay, Longreach, Maryborough and Woorabinda.
A new organisational structure, designated HR team and the implementation of a new Workforce Strategy. Striving to support employees on their career journey is a priority and contributes us to being an Employer of Choice.
Purpose of the Position
The Senior Practitioner is responsible for leading the assessment and approval of foster and kinship carers, ensuring all assessments are culturally safe, evidence-informed, and compliant with legislation, practice frameworks, and organisational policy. The role ensures carers are safe, suitable, and capable of meeting the needs of children and young people in care.
A strong focus of this position is the application of culturally responsive practice, particularly in upholding the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principle. The Senior Practitioner actively centres the voices, rights, and best interests of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, families, and communities throughout assessment and decision-making processes. This includes engaging respectfully in line with cultural protocols and working in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stakeholders.
The role requires advanced skills in assessment, risk analysis, and decision-making, alongside the ability to lead complex assessments and provide clear, defensible recommendations. A strengths-based, safety-oriented approach underpins all practice, with a focus on achieving safe, culturally connected, and stable placements for children and young people.
This position can be based in any of our regional locations, including Central, Southern and Western.
Responsibilities and Duties
- Lead and promote culturally safe, high-quality practice within the Fraser Coast, Bundaberg, Rockhampton and Emerald Foster and Kinship Care teams, with a strong commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, families, and communities
- Lead the intake, assessment, training and approval of foster and kinship carers, ensuring processes are rigorous, culturally responsive, and compliant with legislation, policy, and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principle
- Provide expert practice guidance on complex matters, including risk, assessment, legislation, and culturally informed practice
- Contribute to a culture of quality practice and continuous improvement, including identifying trends, informing service development, and strengthening outcomes for children and young people
- Support strategic and operational planning, including service delivery, resource allocation, and workforce capability development
- Build and maintain strong, respectful partnerships with internal and external stakeholders, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community representatives
- Provide practice guidance and support staff, including the Senior Program Support Worker, to ensure accountable, culturally capable practice
- Ensure compliance with organisational, legislative, and quality standards, including ISO 9001:2015, HSQS, and Workplace Health and Safety requirements
- Contribute to achieving organisational goals and deliver high-quality, accountable services that improve outcomes for children, young people, and carers
- Undertake additional duties as directed by the General Manager and in partnership with the
- managers
- Undertake regular travel across the Fraser Coast, Bundaberg, Rockhampton, and Emerald regions to support service delivery, community engagement, and stakeholder collaboration as required
Key Performance Indicators
- Complete and maintain oversight of initial carer assessments (EOI, APA, PAC, Full Assessments) in line with the recruitment plan and/or reporting requirements
- Ensure assessments are commenced within required timeframes as outlined in the recruitment plan and/or reporting requirements
- Ensure assessments are finalised within agreed timeframes as outlined in the recruitment plan and/or reporting requirements
- Maintain an accurate and up-to-date assessment pipeline tracker in accordance with reporting requirements
- Ensure all assessments are completed in accordance with legislative requirements, CQID policies and procedures, and relevant practice standards
- Maintain high-quality assessment documentation that reflects comprehensive risk analysis, cultural considerations, and child-centred decision making in line with organisational requirements
- Ensure assessment documentation meets internal and external audit requirements, with minimal need for rework
- Support compliance with Statement of Standards and ATSICPP principles across all assessments
- Ensure all potential kinship and family network options are explored and documented in line with practice requirements prior to non-kin approvals
- Demonstrate culturally safe practice through active engagement with family, community, and relevant cultural stakeholders throughout the assessment process
- Ensure cultural consultation is undertaken where appropriate and reflected in assessment outcomes
- Promote and embed cultural connection planning within all relevant assessments
- Maintain effective working relationships with Child Safety and relevant stakeholders to support assessment processes
- Participate in stakeholder meetings as required to support assessment planning and decision-making
- Ensure timely and professional communication regarding assessment progress, risks, and outcomes
- Support collaborative approaches to placement and approval decisions where required
- Undertake regular travel across the Fraser Coast, Bundaberg, Rockhampton, and Emerald regions to support service delivery, community engagement, and stakeholder collaboration as required
Qualifications and Experience
Essential
- Holds a current C Class Queensland Driver’s Licence
- Current Working with Children Check, ‘Blue Card’
- Holds or is willing to obtain a First Aid & CPR Certificate
Desirable
- Qualifications or knowledge related to Child Protection
- Relevant experience in foster and kinship care, including carer assessment, approval processes, and recruitment pathways
- Diploma in Community Services, Child, Youth and Family Intervention, Social Work, or a related field
- Experience at successfully leading and developing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff members
- Experience at successful service delivery to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
- Experienced in client engagement and case collaboration
- Well-developed written communication skills, including report writing and assessment documentation
Skills and Attributes
Essential
- Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander heritage – [Note: Non-Indigenous applicants will only be considered if no suitable Indigenous candidates are attracted in the first round of applicants]
- Competent in use of Microsoft Office software
- Physical ability to undertake job responsibilities
- Ability to communicate effectively; spoken and written
- Self-starter, motivated and able to self-manage work tasks
- Strong connection to and knowledge of local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community
Desirable
- Ability to provide practice guidance, mentoring, or informal leadership to support staff practice
- Experience contributing to reflective practice, case consultations or processes
- Demonstrated passion for recruitment and engagement, with a commitment to driving positive change and impact by empowering families to understand and embrace opportunities within foster and kinship care, and a strong appreciation for the importance of Aboriginal Community Controlled organisations leading this work within the communities this position supports and outcomes
- Commitment to continuous learning and ongoing professional development
- Adaptability and ability to respond to changing priorities within a dynamic service environment
