Out of Home Care Practitioner
Casual or Permanent Part-Time (Minimum 16 hours per week)
SCHCDS Level 2–3 | Shift-based, 24/7 roster
Sunshine Coast | Moreton Bay | Gympie | North Lakes & surrounds
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 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 centered, knowledgeable, and effective care.
We are crafting a team of change-makers and we want you!
People who are crazy enough to want to change the world are
the ones to do so. If you have just the right amount of crazy, lace up your
boots and start wearing your undies on the outside (ok, maybe just lace up your
boots) and join our revolutionary new approach to healthy communities.
Make a Difference Where It Matters Most
REFOCUS is seeking compassionate, skilled Out of Home Care Practitioners to support children, young people, and families across our Out of Home Care, Family Services, Jarjums Homes, Babies Gunyah, and Choice & Connect programs.
This is an opportunity to be part of a values-led organisation delivering trauma-informed, child rights–based and culturally responsive care—with a strong commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, families, and communities.
About the Role
As an Out of Home Care Practitioner, you will work directly with children and young people (0–17 years), parents, carers, and families to promote safety, wellbeing, stability, and connection.
You will:
- Deliver therapeutic, trauma-informed support in residential and family-based settings
- Implement care plans, behaviour support plans, and safety frameworks
- Support children’s emotional regulation, education, health, and daily living needs
- Engage families, kin, carers, Elders, and partner agencies in meaningful collaboration
- Undertake assessment, case planning, documentation, and reporting
- Participate in case conferences, reviews, and multidisciplinary planning
- Respond calmly and professionally to high‑needs and high‑risk behaviours
- Uphold all statutory, safeguarding, and Child Safe Standards requirements
This role reports to a Team Leader and carries no direct line management responsibility.
Our Programs
You may work across diverse and impactful programs, including:
-
Complex Response & High Needs OOHC – supporting children and young people with high behavioural and therapeutic needs
-
Jarjums Homes – culturally governed homes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, supporting reunification and healing
-
Babies Gunyah – supporting mothers and babies to stay together, safely, through intensive, culturally informed support
-
Choice & Connect – empowering young people in care to build independence through choice, accountability, and connection
What We’re Looking For
Essential requirements:
- Certificate, Diploma or Degree in Social Work, Community Services, Human Services, or related field (or equivalent experience)
- Experience in Out of Home Care, child protection, family support and/or maternal & infant wellbeing
- Demonstrated trauma-informed, attachment-aware, strengths-based and culturally safe practice
- Strong case management skills, including assessment, planning, coordination and documentation
- Ability to work collaboratively with families, carers, cultural authorities and professionals
- Commitment to the 10 Child Safe Standards and the Universal Principle of Cultural Safety
- Ability to work a rotating 24/7 roster, including weekends and public holidays
- Current Driver’s Licence and willingness to travel across service regions
Checks (current or ability to obtain):
- Blue Card / Working With Children Check
- Yellow Card
- Child Safety & Personal History Screening
- First Aid & CPR
What We Offer
- Meaningful, purpose-driven work with real community impact
- Level 2–3 remuneration with applicable penalties, allowances, and superannuation
-
25% loading for approved High Needs & High Risk placements
- Paid travel time (where applicable)
- Fortnightly internal and external supervision
- Strong cultural governance, reflective practice, and professional support
- Opportunities to work in innovative, community-led programs
Our Commitment
REFOCUS is a Child Safe Organisation and is deeply committed to cultural safety, equity, inclusion, and social justice. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants are strongly encouraged to apply.
