EOI - SENIOR SOCIAL WORKER / SENIOR PLACEMENT OFFICER

Child Protection; Adelaide; On-site; AUD 95,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Child Protection Allowance

12% superannuation

Professional Development Allowance

Placement-related expenses reimbursed

Qualification Allowance may apply

Job summary

Department for Child Protection in Adelaide is seeking a Senior Social Worker or Senior Placement Officer for a full-time term role. You will assess placement requests to maximise outcomes for children and young people, provide expert consultation to staff and external agencies, and manage high client loads with cultural sensitivity.

The dual classification offers AHP2 or PO2 levels with salary ranges as published, plus a 12% superannuation and dedicated allowances for professional development

Qualifications

• Social Work qualification and eligibility for AASW membership for AHP track.
• Relevant qualifications in Community Services, Social Sciences, Health or related fields for PO track.
• Current Australian driver’s licence and willingness to drive.

Responsibilities

• Understand child development, behaviours and needs to secure placement options.
• Manage placement requests and referrals aligning with practice principles and legislation.
• Provide professional consultation to DCP staff and external agencies.
• Handle high client loads with cultural inclusiveness and sound social work practices.
• Conduct data analysis on placement demand and outcomes to identify service gaps.

Skills

Communication skills

Negotiation

Conflict-resolution

Mentorship

Critical thinking

High workload management

Education

Social Work qualification

Relevant field qualifications (Community Services, Social Sciences, Human Services, Health)

Job description

EOI - SENIOR SOCIAL WORKER / SENIOR PLACEMENT OFFICER

Reference 3X863DD5

DCP Employees Only

Division: Department for Child Protection

Location: Adelaide CBD

Salary Range: $94,997 - $110,052/$94,769 - $109,787

Classification: AHP2/PO2

Engagement Type: Term

Closing Date: 19 Oct 2026 11:00 PM

Role Highlights

Full-time temporary vacancy available until 1 January 2027

Administer targeted placements that elevates care outcomes

Child Protection Allowance in addition to annual salary.

As a Senior Social Worker (Allied Health Professional) or Senior Placement Officer (Professional Officer), you will conduct specialist assessments of placement requests to maximise outcomes for children and young people. Situated in Adelaide, this role strengthens the security and stability of vulnerable youth through your valuable consultation and management of high client loads. Your strong organisational skills and dedicated mentorship will create a harmonious environment for stakeholders to thrive and develop their placement referral knowledge.

This is a single vacancy offered under a dual classification. The successful applicant will be appointed at the appropriate classification level based on their qualifications, experience and suitability for the role.

Essential Qualifications:

• AHP (Allied Health Professional) positions require applicants to hold a Social Work qualification and be eligible for full membership with the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW)
• PO (Professional Officer) positions require relevant qualifications in Community Services, Social Sciences, Human Services, Health or other related fields.

Persons of Australian Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent, who have the appropriate background and skills but do not have the essential qualification, may apply for and be engaged/assigned to the role of Social Worker and will be entitled to apply for any Allied Health Professional roles requiring a qualification in Social Work within the Department for Child Protection (DCP).

In this role, you will:

• Understand the nuances of a child’s development, behaviours and needs to secure appropriate placement options
• Manage placement requests and referrals to uphold practice principles and legislative frameworks
• Provide professional consultation to DCP staff and external agencies to ensure placements adhere to the needs of children and young people
• Handle complex and high client loads through the application of cultural inclusiveness and upholding valuable social work practices
• Conduct data analysis surrounding placement demand and outcomes to pinpoint service gaps for children and young people.

About you:

• You possess exceptional written and verbal communication skills to enhance message delivery and outreach
• You have proven competencies in negotiation and conflict-resolution to sustain a prosperous workplace culture
• You understand the complex issues affecting vulnerable youth to identify suitable placements
• You can provide professional mentorship to staff surrounding social work matters to optimise team performance
• You are a critical thinker, who can examine problems and provide sound solutions.

AHP2: $94,997 - $110,052 p.a. + 12% super

• +4% Child Protection Allowance
• +Professional Development Allowance
• +Entitlement to claim reimbursement of eligible professional development expenses
• +Qualification Allowance may apply if you hold an additional qualification relevant to the role.

PO2: $94,769 - $109.787 p.a. + 12% super

• +Additional child protection allowance

• You must have a current Australian driver’s licence and a willingness to drive is essential.

The Department for Child Protection (DCP) plays a key role in the protection of children, young people and their families within South Australia. The department provides support to vulnerable children and young people to be safe, strong and connected.

Our workplace reflects the diverse communities we serve, and we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, experiences, and abilities. This includes women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disability, LGBTQIA+ communities, and those from culturally diverse backgrounds. We are committed to fostering an inclusive, safe, and respectful workplace where everyone feels supported.

The South Australian public sector promotes diversity and flexible ways of working including part-time. Applicants are encouraged to discuss the flexible working arrangements for this role.