Job Description

Are you passionate about helping young people thrive? This is your chance to step into a leadership role that makes a real difference.

At MANAWISE Care, we’re looking for a Care Leader in the Mackay region to guide a dedicated team and support young people in our residential out-of-home care services.

About the Role

As a Care Leader, you’ll oversee a small team of Care Practitioners and a Senior Care Practitioner who provide 24/7 care, mentoring, and support to young people. Your role is to lead, inspire, and ensure high-quality, person-centred care that helps every young person feel safe, supported, and empowered.

Reporting to the Area Manager, you’ll use your leadership skills and passion for youth work to:

• Support and develop your team to deliver exceptional care
• Contribute to innovative, outcomes-driven care plans
• Foster an environment of positive engagement and growth for both staff and young people

This is more than a job - it’s an opportunity to create lasting change in the lives of young people and lead a team that shares your commitment to making a difference.

What to Expect:

• Ensure the young people in our care are supported, nurtured, and provided with a safe environment where they can thrive.
• Lead the induction, onboarding, training, and mentoring of youth work staff, ensuring they have the tools and systems needed to deliver effective and efficient care.
• Provide regular supervision and individual development plans to support staff growth and continuous improvement.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, delivered with a professional and service-focused approach.
• Fulfil all reporting requirements relating to young people and staff, including case management, safety plans, positive behaviour plans, and other legislative obligations.
• Develop and manage rosters with a focus on award compliance, service agreements, cost-effectiveness, and ensuring young people are supported by appropriate shift coverage.
• Support youth workers as part of the after-hours on-call rotation.

About You:

A passion for supporting vulnerable young people is essential. You’re known for going above and beyond to deliver quality care, and you’re equally committed to inspiring, mentoring, and guiding teams of youth workers to achieve the best outcomes possible.

You are values-driven and want to be part of a broader team that truly lives those values - because that’s who we are, and it’s why we do what we do.

You’ll bring experience in residential care for young people, hold a Diploma-level qualification, and meet all legislative requirements. You’ll also have a strong understanding of the Child Protection Act 1999 and the impacts of trauma on young people.

You will also need:

• A current QLD Working with Children Check (Paid Blue Card)
• Diploma level qualification in an appropriate discipline
• Demonstrated experience in similar role
• Current open driver’s licence with no restrictions
• National police check
• Current First Aid and CPR Certificate

Why join us:

At MANAWISE Care, our values guide everything we do. We provide therapeutic care services to vulnerable young people across Queensland, with a “care to the core” approach that ensures purpose and professionalism are at the heart of our work.

As a Care Leader / Case Manager, you’ll be part of a dedicated team that is passionate about creating safe, supportive environments where young people can thrive. This is a permanent, full-time opportunity based in the Mackay Region, where your leadership will make a real and lasting impact.