Manager - Child and Youth Residential Care Services

About the role – Permanent Fulltime

Baptist Care SA's Care Pathways team provides 24/7 therapeutic residential care for children and young people under the guardianship of the Department for Child Protection or those arriving in Australia without a legal guardian.

The Program Manager, Child and Youth Residential Care oversees service delivery and performance across residential care programs in either Northern or Southern Adelaide. You'll provide leadership and guidance to ensure high-quality, trauma-informed care aligned with our Practice Framework, while partnering with the Senior Manager to support workforce planning, budgets, and continuous service improvement.

Key responsibilities will include, but will not be limited to:

• Lead program operations to ensure safe, high-quality, trauma-informed care that meets all legislative, contractual, and practice standards.
• Provide strong leadership and support to staff through effective supervision, workforce planning, and fostering a positive, client-centred culture.
• Build and maintain partnerships with key stakeholders including the Department for Child Protection and allied services to ensure effective collaboration and outcomes for children and young people.

About you:

You're a compassionate and experienced leader who is passionate about making a difference in the lives of children and young people. You bring strong operational and people management skills, with the ability to lead teams in complex and dynamic environments. Your trauma-informed approach, sound judgment, and commitment to quality care help you build trust, navigate challenges, and inspire those around you to achieve positive outcomes.

You will also have the following skills and experience:

• Tertiary Qualifications relevant to the work i.e., Bachelor of Social Work, Social Sciences, Counselling or Psychology, Disability Services.
• Experience working with vulnerable and at-risk children, young people and adults with special needs, disability and/or challenging behaviours.
• At least 5 Years of Management experience including leading teams, performance management of staff.

About us:

We are proud to be part of the merged care organisation that will be known nationally as BaptistCare. As a for purpose, Christian care organisation, we are committed to providing exceptional support and services across Australia. Together with Baptcare (VIC, TAS, SA) and Baptist Care NSW/WA we employ over 12,000 dedicated employees and support over 38,000 customers to help people live well with dignity and purpose. From older Australians and their families to people facing significant disadvantage, our passion and our priority are the customers we serve. We strive to deliver care as it should be – with people right at the centre.

Why work with us?

Baptist Care SA offers a flexible and supportive environment where you are encouraged to be the best version of yourself.

You'll also receive:

• A competitive salary on the SCHADS Award (Level 7) + super
• Salary packaging in addition to increase your take home pay
• A corporate health plan with BUPA offering discounted health insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Support cultural and community obligations, including up to five days Paid Cultural Leave

We do not accept applications via email, however, for more information, please see our website, or reach out to Talent Acquisition at for a confidential discussion.

All staff are required to work within our code of conduct and undergo relevant pre-employment checks as part of our commitment to safeguarding vulnerable people.

Baptist Care SA is proud to be working towards uniting with BaptistCare (NSW, ACT, WA) and Baptcare (VIC, TAS), to create a newly merged national care organisation committed to providing exceptional support and services across Australia. Together, we are building on a shared history of care and compassion, expanding our reach, and strengthening our mission to help people live well with dignity and purpose.