Out of Home Care Senior House Manager

Central Queensland Indigenous Development; Rockhampton Regional; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Central Queensland Indigenous Development is seeking a Senior House Manager to lead the therapeutic residential care program for children and young people under guardianship. You will drive trauma-informed, culturally responsive practice, oversee daily operations, mentor residential staff and ensure high-quality care aligned with individual care plans.

In this role you will collaborate with Child Safety, families and communities to promote safety, wellbeing and connectedness, while upholding

Qualifications

• Experience providing support and interventions for children and young people with complex and trauma-related needs.
• Ability to implement trauma-informed care and positive behaviour support strategies.
• Strong communication, negotiation and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Knowledge of confidentiality and working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

Responsibilities

• Engage with child or young person to support their journey of hopes and aspirations in all aspects of life.
• Lead and mentor staff to provide trauma-informed, culturally responsive care.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary support and ensure compliance and continuous improvement.
• Champion culturally grounded practices empowering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families.
• Ensure routine tasks are completed to maintain residence and meet the needs of children.

Skills

Trauma-informed care

Leadership

Staff supervision

Interpersonal communication

Cultural competency

Indigenous heritage

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

CQID is experiencing enormous organisational growth across all services and seeking suitable candidates for a range of positions.

CQID is one of the largest employers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the Central Queensland region. Offering a broad range of service areas, with roles that serve our community across Rockhampton, Emerald, Longreach, Woorabinda, Gladstone, Bundaberg and Hervey Bay.

A new organisational structure, designated HR team and the implementation of a new Workforce Strategy. Striving to support employees on their career journey is a priority and contributes us to being an Employer of Choice.

Purpose of the Position

The Senior House Manager plays a key leadership role within CQID, supporting the organisation's strategic goals of best practice and innovation in alignment with progressive government reforms. This position overseas the professional practice and operational delivery of therapeutic residential care services within a designated portfolio across CQID's service footprint.

This leadership role is responsible for overseeing the daily operations of a therapeutic residential home for children and young people under the Guardianship of the Department of Child Safety. The House Manager leads a team of support staff to deliver trauma-informed, culturally responsive care to children with moderate to extreme support needs who are unable to live with their families due to complex trauma, abuse, and neglect.

The House Manager plays a pivotal role in:

• Creating a safe, nurturing and structured environment where each child feels harm valued and supported.
• Leading and mentoring staff to ensure consistent, high-quality care aligned with therapeutic principles and individual care plans.
• Coordinating care and services that promote healing, growth and positive outcomes for young people in Out-of Home Care (OOHC).
• Fostering strong connections to family, culture and community, and advocating for the rights and wellbeing of each child.
• Engaging with compassion and cultural sensitivity, ensuring every interaction contributes to meaningful, empowering experiences.

This role requires strong leadership, emotional intelligence and a deep commitment to trauma-informed practice and child-centred care.

Responsibilities and Duties

• Engage with child or young person to support their journey of hopes and aspirations in all aspects of life, both in the home and wider community.
• Leading and mentoring support staff to ensure consistent, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive care for children and young.
• Utilise observational and evaluation skills to contribute to the assessment of a child, young person needs.
• Coordinating multidisciplinary support and maintaining high standards of compliance, reporting, and continuous improvement across residential programs.
• Championing culturally grounded practices that reflect CQID’s commitment to empowering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families.
• Ensure routine tasks are completed to maintain residence and to meet physical needs of child – this includes daily household cleaning and cooking tasks.
• Support and coordinate planned contact and connectedness to family as approved by Child Safety and/or CQID CEO when Delegated Authority arrangement is in place.
• Support and coordinate planned social, recreational, educational and health activities for children and young people in line with their individual care plan.
• Work collaboratively with residential staff and others involved to plan, monitor and review care and ensure continuity and consistency of care.
• Implement strategies identified in the care plan and participate in review of care plans to ensure children and young people have clear, relevant, and achievable goals.
• Contribution to the provision of a therapeutic milieu by modelling pro-social behaviour, providing a sense of safety, structure, acceptance, stability and security for children and young people always.
• Ensure high quality participant records are maintained and compliant with statutory and regulatory obligations and CQID policies.
• Provides access to information in a manner, which respects the privacy and dignity of children, young people, and their families.
• Work always to advance the reputation of CQID and undertake additional relevant duties as required.
• Participate and contribute to the organisation’s compliance obligations under the ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System and Human Services Quality Standards (HSQS).
• At all times work within CQID’s Workplace Health & Safety Policies and Procedures.
• Other responsibilities as directed by the Manager and/or General Manager/s or Senior Executives.

Qualifications and Experience

To be successful in this role you will need to demonstrate capability in the following areas:

• Demonstrated ability to provide support and interventions for children and young people with complex and extreme needs, including a sound knowledge of the impact of trauma on children and young people in out of home care.
• Demonstrated knowledge and ability to implement positive behaviour support strategies and trauma informed care in line with the Standards of Care.
• Well-developed interpersonal, communication, and negotiation skills to work effectively with Child Safety Services, other staff, and other key stakeholders.
• Knowledge and understanding of the Child Protection Act particularly in relation to working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people within the child protection system.
• Understanding of confidentiality and maintaining the rights of children and young people subject to Child Protection Orders.
• Strong leadership and a demonstrated ability to supervise and support staff.
• The ability to work a mixture of day, night and weekend shifts as required
• Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI)
• The ability to work a mixture of day, night and weekend shifts as required

Skills and Attributes

• Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander heritage – [Note: Non-Indigenous applicant will only be considered if no suitable candidates are attracted in the first round of applicants]
• Proficient in use of Microsoft Office software
• Physical ability to undertake job responsibilities
• Ability to communicate effectively; spoken and written
• Self-starter, motivates and able to self-manage work tasks
• Strong connection to and knowledge of local Indigenous Community