Carer Services Manager

Creating Links (N.S.W.) Ltd; Sydney; On-site; AUD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary packaging up to $15,900 pa

Meals & entertainment card

Grow your skills – training

Wellbeing support – EAP

Novated lease benefits

Rewards shopping discounts

Job summary

Creating Links is seeking an experienced Carer Services Manager to lead and strengthen our foster and kinship carer services. You will oversee the full carer lifecycle, guide the Carer Services team, and ensure services meet legislation and best-practice standards.

You will work to strengthen safeguarding, governance and continuous improvement across carer services while engaging with carers, families and partners to deliver safe, stable homes for children and young people.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience in OOHC or statutory child protection casework.
• Experience supervising staff and leading casework practice.
• Strong trauma-informed, attachment and development knowledge.
• Excellent written communication, analytical and reporting skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead, supervise and develop the Carer Services team.
• Oversee recruitment, assessment, authorisation, reviews, training and ongoing support for carers.
• Review carer assessments and suitability recommendations; participate in authorisation panels.
• Promote trauma-informed, child-centred and culturally responsive practice.
• Oversee risk management, safeguarding and compliance with legislation and standards.
• Provide professional guidance on carer suitability, placements and complex cases.
• Lead audits, reporting, documentation standards and continuous improvement.
• Engage with carers, families, DCJ and sector partners for coordinated service delivery.

Skills

OOHC

Leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Policy knowledge

Trauma-informed practice

Education

Degree-level qualifications in Social Work, Psychology, Social Sciences or a related discipline

Job description

Creating Links is seeking an experienced Carer Services Manager to lead and strengthen our foster and kinship carer services. This is an opportunity to influence quality practice, develop a high-performing team and ensure carers receive the guidance and support they need to provide safe, stable and nurturing homes for children and young people.

If you\'re passionate about leading people, improving practice and achieving positive outcomes for children and families, we\'d love to hear from you.

About us

Creating Links is a leading not-for-profit multicultural community service provider, that is dedicated to delivering the highest quality of standards and service across South-West Sydney and the Greater Sydney region. Garnering a deep and rich history of more than 50 years, we understand the importance of culture and community. Today, we have grown to provide Disability services, Foster Care, Child & Family services, and Financial Wellbeing. We are committed to delivering a holistic person-centered approach combined with a strong passion and focus on providing quality support and service excellence.

Why You\'ll Love Working With Us

• Inclusive Culture– Work in a team that values diversity and genuine collaboration.


• Salary Packaging– Maximise your take-home pay with generous salary packaging (up to $15,900 pa) and a $2,650 meals & entertainment card.


• Grow Your Skills– Access internal and external training to support your professional development.


• Wellbeing Support– Employee Assistance Program for you and your family.


• Make an Impact– Be part of a trusted community organisation that listens, innovates, and strives for better outcomes every day.


• Rewards Shopping Discount– perks on over 500 retailers, thousands saved every year.


• Novated Lease – Novated Lease Tax Benefits

About the Role

As the Carer Services Manager, you will oversee the full foster and kinship carer lifecycle, including recruitment, assessment, authorisation, training, ongoing support and retention.

You will lead and develop the Carer Services team, provide guidance on complex matters and ensure services are delivered in accordance with relevant legislation, accreditation standards and best-practice principles.

The role also plays a key part in strengthening safeguarding, practice governance and continuous improvement across carer services.

Key Responsibilities

• Team Leadership – Lead, supervise and develop the Carer Services team through coaching, reflective practice, performance management and effective workload allocation.


• Carer Services Management – Oversee carer recruitment, assessment, authorisation, reviews, training, ongoing support and retention.


• Assessment and Authorisation – Review carer assessments and suitability recommendations, participate in Carer Authorisation Panels and ensure required screening and probity checks are completed.


• Quality Practice – Promote trauma-informed, child-centred and culturally responsive practice while strengthening carer capability, engagement and support.


• Safeguarding and Compliance – Oversee risk management, child protection concerns, incidents and complaints, ensuring compliance with PSP requirements, legislation and accreditation standards.


• Complex Case Guidance – Provide professional advice on carer suitability, placement matching, identified risks and the needs of children requiring complex care.


• Quality Assurance – Lead audits, reporting, documentation standards and continuous improvement initiatives to maintain service quality and accreditation readiness.


• Stakeholder Engagement – Build collaborative relationships with carers, families, DCJ and sector partners to support coordinated and effective service delivery.

About You

You are an experienced OOHC professional and confident leader who brings sound judgement, strong practice knowledge and a genuine commitment to supporting foster and kinship carers.

You can guide teams through complex situations, balance competing operational priorities and build positive relationships with carers, colleagues and external stakeholders.

To succeed in this role, you will bring:

• Degree-level qualifications in Social Work, Psychology, Social Sciences or a related discipline.


• A minimum of five years\' experience in OOHC or statutory child protection casework.


• Demonstrated experience in carer support and carer assessment.


• Proven experience supervising staff, providing practice guidance and leading casework practice.


• Strong understanding of trauma-informed practice, attachment, child development, therapeutic care and permanency planning.


• Excellent written communication, analytical and report-writing skills.


• Sound knowledge of NSW child protection and OOHC legislation, regulatory requirements and safeguarding principles.


• Ability to manage complex situations, competing priorities and high-risk matters with sound judgement and professionalism.

Additional Requirements

• Current NSW Working with Children Check.


• Satisfactory Criminal History Check.


• Current NSW Driver\'s Licence and access to a comprehensively insured vehicle.


• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, when required.


• Willingness to participate in an after‑hours on‑call roster as required.


• Ability to travel as required to meet operational needs.