Job Description

Your Opportunity

Support Stronger Futures for Children – Join Our Dedicated Team

Townsville Aboriginal and Islander Health Services (TAIHS) is committed to strengthening the wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, families, and communities. We are currently seeking compassionate and detail-oriented Placement Support Officers (PSO) to support our Foster and Kinship Care Program.

In this vital role, you will be responsible for the ongoing monitoring and management of quality foster and kinship care placements. You will work closely with carers to ensure placements are safe, supportive, and meet the Standards of Care as outlined in the Child Protection Act 1999, while aligning with TAIHS’s service model and agreement obligations. Your work will help provide stability and culturally appropriate care for children and young people in our community. The positions are full time fixed term up to 30 June 2027.

Your Contribution

The Placement Support Officer is responsible for delivering direct support to children, young people, and Carers within the Family-Based Care Services Investment Specification framework. This role involves working closely with prospective and approved kinship and foster carers, providing hands-on support, training, and guidance to ensure safe, nurturing, and culturally appropriate care arrangements. The role will identify family links/connections through various tools and support them to consider applications through the connecting kin requirements.

The worker will also collaborate with the department, non-government organizations (NGOs), and community stakeholders to achieve positive outcomes for children and young people under the custody or guardianship of the Chief Executive as per the Child Protection Act 1999.

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities

Carer and Child Support

• Provide hands-on, practical, emotional, and advocacy support to prospective and approved kinship and foster carers and children, including in-home, mobile, and virtual services, to meet their needs.

• Respond to critical incidents, disruptions in care arrangements, and facilitate access to therapeutic support services.
• Support children and young people to achieve safety, stability, identity, education, health, and resilience, including culturally appropriate programs and services.
• Conduct monthly household visits and ensure key documentation (Authority to Care, Placement Agreement, Case Plan) is complete, current, and compliant with program and legislative requirements. These activities contribute to the role’s KPIs.
• Support carers in accessing universal services, such as childcare subsidies and other financial supports.

Kinship & Carer Support

• Support families to become kinship carers and participate in the Equipping & Connecting Kin program, including family tracing, engagement, and orientation of carers.
• Review and complete carer renewals, ensuring documentation and assessments meet program and legislative requirements.
• Assist carers with applications, assessments, training, and Blue Card requirements.

Compliance, Documentation & Reporting

• Maintain accurate case records and contribute to reporting on service delivery activities and outcomes.
• Complete internal database tasks in line with program and organisational requirements.
• Ensure all carer and child documentation is complete, accurate, and compliant with legislation, policies, and program requirements.
• Adhere to confidentiality laws, departmental policies, and legislative requirements.
• Provide regular reports and updates to Program Manager and Practice Leads regarding service delivery and carer support.

Collaboration & Program Delivery

• Collaborate with Placement Support Services, Child Safety Service Centres, Admin/Intake Officer, and Practice Leads to ensure alignment with case plans, placement agreements, and program objectives.
• Participate in placement agreement meetings, case plan reviews, and safety and support network activities.
• Work closely with other TAIHS teams to support cohesive service delivery and program objectives.

Cultural Connection & Community Engagement

• Promote and support cultural connection and identity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people.
• Support children and carers to engage with community and culturally appropriate programs to enhance wellbeing and identity.

Benefits of working with TAIHS

TAIHS provides access to an employee assistance program and access to learning and development opportunities. Your employment experience with TAIHS will include work-life balance with competitive salary and benefits, generous leave entitlements with up to 6 weeks leave per year, career progression opportunities and the chance to make a difference to the people and communities.

TAIHS is committed to building an inclusive culture that respects and promotes human rights and diversity. The position involves working with a multicultural organisation where the majority of employees, clients and stakeholders identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander. Employees demonstrate an understanding of the issues affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people communicate effectively and empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

TAIHS acknowledges that we respectfully journey together to aspire to be a culturally capable organisation. We are an inclusive, equal employment opportunity employer and place value on our diverse workforce. We encourage applicants representing all genders, ethnicities, ages, languages, sexual orientations, people with a disability, and those with family responsibilities to apply.

How to Apply:

Please visit the TAIHS Careers Page for more information and to view the full Position Description at: https://www.taihs.net.au/working-with-taihs/

You must submit the below documentation;

• CV/Resume
• One page cover letter detailing how you will achieve success in the position

Email: hr@taihs.net.au Website: https://www.taihs.net.au/

ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER PEOPLE ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY