▷ (3/11/2025) Chief Practitioner - Child Safety and Youth Justice Operations - 981368

Chief Practitioner - Child Safety and Youth Justice Operations - 981368

Department for Education, Children and Young People, Child Safety & Youth Justice Operations, Child Safety & Youth Justice Operations

Applications must be submitted by Sunday 09 November, 2025 11:55 PM

Sunday 9 November, 2025 11:55 PM AEST

Award/Classification:

$183,884 to $202,163 per annum

Employment type:

Fixed-term, full-time, Senior Executive

Region:

Statewide

The Chief Practitioner Professional Practice provides the ultimate authority on professional practice with children, young people and families engaged with the Tasmanian child safety and youth justice system. The role is accountable for the delivery of consistent, high-quality professional practice across the continuum of supports provided across the child safety and youth justice service system.

This is a Department built entirely for children and young people and their communities. Our ultimate goal is to work together to ensure that every child and young person in Tasmania is known, safe, well and learning.

The child is at the centre of everything we do and the way we do it.

- Develop and lead evidence informed strategies, practice frameworks and standards that lift the quality of outcomes and experiences for children and families.

- Lead workforce learning and development for allied health and professional frontline staff, establishing core knowledge and skills for professional staff and carers.

- Establish, monitor and evaluate practice quality to ensure the delivery of consistent and high quality professional practice, with a strong focus on working together in lifting equitable outcomes for Aboriginal children and families.

- Work closely with partners and stakeholders across the Child Safety and Youth Justice sector, providing professional representation and leadership at critical forums, including inquests and reviews.

About the Role

The Department for Education, Children and Young People (DECYP) is seeking an experienced and values-driven Chief Practitioner to lead and set the standards for evidence informed contemporary practice for professionals working within the Child Safety and Youth Justice Operations Portfolio (CSYJO).

The role is crucial in providing authoritative advice and recommendations relating to child safety and youth justice professional practice policy, programs and initiatives to the Senior Executive and Portfolio Leadership Group. You will represent and lead the Department in matters relating to professional care and service delivery provided to children and young people in child safety and youth justice settings. Your experience in analysing data, trends and research will ensure continuous improvement activities are targeted and effective.

Success in the role will see you have extensive experience in child protection, youth justice and professional practice leadership. You will have led strategies to manage trauma informed care, cultural safety and Aboriginal self-determination principles whilst also leading complex reform. Driving systemic change will be critical and this will be supported by your contemporary people management and leadership qualities that actively demonstrate collaboration and inclusiveness whilst promoting a high performing culture.

- Current Tasmanian Registration to Work with Vulnerable People (Registration Status – Employment)

- The Head of the State Service has determined that the person nominated for this job is to satisfy a pre-employment check before taking up the appointment, on promotion or transfer. The following checks are to be conducted:

- Conviction checks in the following areas:

- crimes of violence

- sex related offences

- serious drug offences

- crimes involving dishonesty

- serious traffic offences

- Disciplinary actions in previous employment check

- Must satisfy at least one of the following qualifications:

- A relevant bachelor’s degree, such as Human Services, Social Work, Psychology, Criminology, Occupational Therapy, Counselling, and/or relevant tertiary qualifications related to human and social sciences that provide a solid foundation for roles in child safety and youth Justice

OR.

- A related bachelor’s degree (e.g., Education, Law, or Nursing) who have completed at least six relevant academic units in areas such as mental health, community health, or criminology. In addition, candidates must either hold a supplementary qualification (e.g., Youth Work or Family Intervention)

Plus:

Have a minimum of 12 months of full-time, relevant work experience within the broader human or family services sector.

- A senior executive with a proven record of management in a health and human services field within a large private or public sector organisation.

- Postgraduate qualifications in leadership, governance, administration, or policy are highly desirable.

Statement of Duties and a reference guide to assist with applying online can be found here:

The State Service Senior Executive Leadership Capability Framework should also be used to assist in the preparation of any application.

Electronic submission of application is preferred, please apply via the Jobs.Tas Posting and click the 'ApplyNow' button.

Applicants should forward/include:

- Comprehensive CV, including two referees

- A summary that outlines skills and experience aligned to the selection criteria (as outlined in the Statement of Duties)

Applications should be made via the Apply Now button and submitted online by 11.30pm AEDT on the advertised closing date.

Should you have any difficulties regarding applying for this vacancy online, please contact Department for Education, Children and Young People, HR Recruitment and Employment via phone +61 3 6165 6285 or email recruitment@decyp.tas.gov.au.

Applicants needing more information are encouraged to request specific details of the vacancy from the Contact Person.

Name: Peter Whitcombe
Title: Deputy Secretary Child Safety and Youth Justice Operations
Phone: 0407 559 584
Email: peter.whitcombe@decyp.tas.gov.au

- Review the Statement of Duties and consider if you meet the requirements.

- Speak to the Contact Officer if you have any questions.

- Submit your application including any additional documents as specified in each individual job vacancy notice.

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