Foster Care Support Practitioner
Permanent Part Time
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander People of all ages are strongly
encouraged to apply
REFOCUS is in the business of Redirecting and
Empowering Families by creating Opportunities through Culturally Unique and
Responsive Services. Our work is driven by a commitment to strengthening
families, celebrating identity, and fostering resilience.
We do this by building genuine connections, valuing
emotional intelligence, and taking a ground-up approach to understanding where
support is most needed for children, young people, and families. Our services
are shaped by real-world experience and a deep respect for the communities we
serve.
Over the past 15 years, we have supported more than
20,000 community members across the Sunshine Coast, Moreton Bay, Gympie, and
Cairns regions, delivering high-quality support across the Health, Community,
and NDIS sectors. We are powered by a dedicated team with more than 800 years
of combined lived and professional experience, ensuring culturally safe,
person-centred, knowledgeable, and effective care.
We are crafting a team of change-makers and we want you!
REFOCUS is seeking a Foster Care Support
Practitioner to join our Foster Care Services team and support approved
foster carers to provide safe, stable, and nurturing homes for children and
young people.
Working within the Supporting Foster Care program,
this role partners with foster carers throughout their caring journey by
providing placement coordination, practical guidance, advocacy, education, and
ongoing support. The position works collaboratively with Child Safety,
children, families, and community partners to promote positive outcomes and
placement stability.
About the role
As a Foster Care Support Practitioner, you will:
- Coordinate
foster care placements in partnership with Child Safety and Placement
Support Services.
- Match
children and young people with suitable foster carers based on needs,
capacity, and capability.
- Support
placement commencements, transitions, and ongoing placement stability.
- Build
collaborative and trusting relationships with approved foster carers.
- Provide
guidance, advocacy, and practical support throughout the caring journey.
- Participate
in case planning, care team meetings, and service coordination activities.
- Support
carers’ learning, wellbeing, resilience, and professional development.
- Coordinate
referrals and collaborate with schools, therapeutic services, and other
professionals.
- Support
foster carer review and renewal processes and ongoing compliance
requirements.
- Deliver
culturally safe, strengths-based, child-centred, and trauma-informed
practice.
Pay and conditions
Permanent part-time position
Hourly pay rates range from:
Level 1 PPT3 $30.90 per hour, up to Level 3 PPT4 $52.93 per
hour
Classification level and pay rate are assessed and
determined based on qualifications, experience, and demonstrated capability.
What we’re looking for
We’re looking for someone who:
- Is
passionate about supporting children and young people in care.
- Can
build strong, respectful relationships with foster carers and partner
agencies.
- Has
excellent communication, advocacy, and problem-solving skills.
- Values
cultural safety, collaboration, and child-centred practice.
- Can
effectively coordinate placements, case planning, and support activities.
- Demonstrates
initiative, sound judgement, and a commitment to continuous improvement.
Qualifications and experience
- Tertiary
qualification in Social Work, Human Services, Behavioural Science,
Community Services, or a related discipline.
- Experience
supporting children, young people, and families within child protection,
out-of-home care, or related human services.
- Demonstrated
experience working collaboratively with carers and multidisciplinary
teams.
- Experience
in placement coordination, case planning, or case management.
Highly desirable:
- Experience
supporting foster carers.
- Knowledge
of the Child Protection Act 1999 (Qld).
- Understanding
of out-of-home care, permanency planning, and placement coordination.
- Experience
working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, families, and
communities.
Training and support
REFOCUS is committed to building practitioner capability
through ongoing supervision, mentoring, reflective practice, and professional
development opportunities. Foster Care Support Practitioners are supported to
strengthen their knowledge of foster care, trauma-informed practice, cultural
capability, and child protection systems.
Additional requirements
- Current
Working with Children Check (Blue Card).
- Current
Queensland Driver Licence.
- Ability
to meet REFOCUS compliance and reporting requirements.
- Ability
to work within the 10 Child Safe Standards.
How to apply
To apply, please submit your resume and a brief cover letter
outlining your interest and relevant experience. We welcome applications from
people of diverse backgrounds and strongly encourage Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander peoples to apply.
