Support Practitioner

Churches of Christ; Mackay Regional; On-site; AUD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A major not-for-profit organisation in Mackay, QLD is seeking a qualified professional to manage child intake and support foster care systems. The ideal candidate will have experience in trauma-informed practices and a commitment to culturally safe service delivery. This role offers competitive hourly rates, salary sacrifice benefits, and extensive employee perks including five weeks of annual leave and a supportive work culture.

Benefits

Five weeks of annual leave

Employee Assistance Program

Personal day off (PDO)

Discounts on retail partners

Qualifications

• Minimum Certificate III in social work, psychology, social sciences, or community services.
• Experience with care assessments.
• Compliant with child development and therapeutic practices.

Responsibilities

• Manage intake and placement processes for children.
• Deliver evidence-based parenting programs.
• Support and assess foster and kinship carers.

Skills

Understanding of child protection

Trauma-informed approaches

Communication skills

Culturally safe practice

Education

Relevant qualification in social work or psychology

Job description

Up to $18,549 salary sacrifice + Benefits

Churches of Christ, Children, Youth and Families: Mackay, QLD

The salary range for this position is currently $44 to $47 per hour. Hourly rate based on experience.

Key responsibilities of the role:

• Manage intake, screening, and placement processes for children and young people with foster and kinship carers.
• Apply assessment, crisis intervention, and therapeutic approaches to support clients and escalate concerns as needed.
• Develop, implement, and evaluate care plans tailored to individual needs.
• Deliver evidence-based parenting programs and collaborate with community partners to strengthen support networks.
• Recruit, assess, and support foster and kinship carers, including facilitating approval processes.
• Coordinate case management and planning, ensuring accurate and timely documentation.
• Provide flexible in-home support, including after-hours and on-call services as required.
• Work respectfully with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to deliver culturally safe and inclusive services.

To be suitable for the role, you will have the following:

• Relevant qualification in social work, psychology, social sciences, or community services (minimum Certificate III), or equivalent experience.
• Strong understanding of child protection, out-of-home care frameworks, and relevant legislation.
• Experience conducting care assessments and applying trauma-informed approaches.
• Awareness of challenges faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and commitment to culturally safe practice.
• Sound knowledge of child development and therapeutic frameworks.
• Current driver's licence (P2 minimum).
• Possess or the ability to obtain a National Police Check, Blue Card (Working with Children) and a Licensed Care Services (LCS).

Importantly, you will be someone who closely aligns with our organisational values of Unconditional Love, Continual Innovation, Mutual Trust, Wise Stewardship and Safety.

Employee Benefits:

As a not-for-profit entity, our employees can package up to $18,549 p.a. of their taxable income before your income tax is calculated. Up to $15,900 p.a. on everyday expenses (such as mortgage payments, rent, groceries, bills and insurance) plus up to $2,649 p.a. on meal/entertainment benefits.

By being such a large organisation, we are also able to offer a range of compelling benefits. Including but not limited to:

• Five (5) weeks of annual leave and the ability to purchase more;
• Employee Assistance Program;
• Additional benefit, enjoy Personal day off (PDO);
• A work culture that values you;
• Discounts through our large network of retail partners including: JB Hi-Fi, The Good Guys, Bupa Health, Plus many more.

About Us

We are one of Australia's largest and most diverse not-for-profit organisations, with a legacy of care and compassion spanning over 140 years. Through our faith-based mission, the church and organisation work together to provide holistic support across family services, community housing, retirement living, home care, and residential aged care.

Ready to Make a Difference?

Visit www.cofc.com.au to learn more about us. Please click the Apply Button. For further inquiries, contact Celina on 0475 080 113.

We actively encourage and invite applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people for all our positions.

Applications will be assessed as they are received.