senior practitioner youth justice

Department of Human Services

Job reference: 706219

Location: ADELAIDE

Job status: Long Term Contract

Eligibility: Open to Everyone

Role Highlights

• Exciting opportunity for those with a passion for working with young people
• Convenient CBD location
• Work with a dynamic and enthusiastic team

Here at the Department of Human Services (DHS), we strive to deliver modern programs, services and policy that strengthen communities and enable South Australians to actively participate in community life. With people at the heart of what we do and a commitment to child safety, ageing well and supporting people with disability, we work to increase inclusion, independence and decision-making, and help our communities when it matters most.

About the Business

Our Community and Aboriginal Partnerships Division helps to build community safety and wellbeing by providing support and services to children, young people and families, including those involved with the youth justice system, remote Aboriginal communities, and people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. The division also leads the department's Closing the Gap work.

Role Details

About Us:

Community Youth Justice (CYJ) provides statutory supervision and case management services to children and young people who are subject to supervised youth justice mandates within South Australia.

CYJ works in partnership with internal partners and other government and non-government services to promote community safety and meet the identified support needs of young people.

This includes assisting young people to plan and achieve goals and maintain compliance with court mandates.

Our mission is to Provide focused, responsive and culturally appropriate services and programs to young people that encourage pro-social behaviours by developing partnerships which strengthen connections, support re-integration and build community safety.

Why work with us?

• Make a difference in the lives of vulnerable young people and their families.
• Opportunity to think creatively about how you apply your professional knowledge to help change young people's lives
• Work with a bunch of passionate colleagues

The Senior Practitioner is a role within Communities and Justice and is accountable to the Supervisor, Community Youth Justice for:

• Taking a lead role in monitoring, promoting, and developing a high standard of practice.
• Fostering good working relationships through consultation, advice, and support to case managers and other staff.
• Building the capacity of case managers to provide a high standard of practice.
• Developing and maintaining partnerships to provide community based programs consistent with legislation and DHS priorities.
• Model, promote and monitor quality assurance practices, chair selected case conferences, assessment panel meetings and provide staff with appropriate training to improve client outcomes.
• Provide supervision of children and young people in accordance with conditions and assessed risk and needs and assuming overall responsibility for oversighting, reviewing, and evaluating all aspects of case planning including the making of appropriate referrals and providing programs to address offending behaviour.
• Facilitate the interests, rights, and needs of clients within the legislative framework and duty of care requirements including providing services that are accessible, fully utilised, and culturally appropriate.

Special Conditions

National Police Check required.

Employment-related Screening Check required.

Some out of hours work may be required.

Some interstate and intrastate travel may be required.

Must hold a current Australian issued driver's licence (equivalent to minimum class C).

Essential Qualifications

A degree level qualification in Social Work leading to eligibility for (full) membership of the Australian Association of Social Workers.

Role Status: Term up to 01/01/2027

Salary Range: $91,785-$106,330 (AHP2)

Location: Adelaide

Enquiries: Nick Ward, Email:

Diversity and Inclusion

DHS is committed to making our services and workplaces safe and inclusive for all people and ensuring the full diversity of the communities we serve are represented in our workforce, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability and/or neurodivergence, young people, older people, culturally and linguistically diverse people, LGBTIQA+ and gender diverse people.

We are committed to making workplace adjustments to provide a positive, barrier-free recruitment experience and supportive work environment. If you require any assistance with our recruitment process, please contact us at and a member of our team will get back to you.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are encouraged to apply. We also celebrate the many strengths and skills people with disability and/or neurodivergent people bring to our workplace and acknowledge our role in ensuring a supportive work environment for people with disability and/or neurodivergent people to thrive in.

Applications close: 29/10/2025 11:30 PM