Job Description

About the Role

Are you a passionate and experienced leader committed to providing safe, stable, and therapeutic care for children and young people when they need it most?

MacKillop Family Services is seeking a dedicated and values driven Coordinator to lead a critical service that supports children and young people requiring urgent out-of-home care placements across Victoria.

This role is responsible for overseeing the delivery of the Two Bed Emergency Response (TBER) Homes and Contingency Residential Responses, ensuring children and young people receive high quality care and support during periods of crisis, transition, and placement instability. Working closely with internal teams, the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH), and other stakeholders, you will provide leadership, operational oversight, and practice guidance to ensure positive outcomes for children and young people.

As Coordinator, you will lead a team of Team Leaders across a portfolio of homes, driving service excellence, compliance, staff development, and continuous improvement within a dynamic and rewarding environment.

If you are an experienced leader in Out of Home Care looking to make a meaningful impact on the lives of vulnerable children and young people, we'd love to hear from you.

What we offer at MacKillop:

• SCHADS (Level 7) $63.13– $65.77 – Dependent on qualifications & experience
• More money in your pocket – salary sacrifice up to $18,550 per year, which allows you to reduce the amount of tax you pay.
• Wellbeing that matters - Free, confidential support for mental, physical, financial and social wellbeing.
• Sanctuary Organisation - MacKillop’s work is underpinned by the Sanctuary Model, an evidence supported, whole of organisation framework that brings our values to life. The model reinforces our ability to create a safe environment that teaches people to cope effectively with stress and trauma, and to heal.
• First Nations career pathways – Warrungarli Strategy supporting recruitment, retention and professional development
• Community & connection – Opportunity to join Ngindaay Guumaldanha, our Aboriginal Staff Network

In this role, you'll:

• Lead the day to day operations of the Two Bed Emergency Response and Contingency Homes program across Victoria.
• Manage placement referrals and make decisions regarding the acceptance of children and young people into TBER and contingency placements.
• Provide leadership, supervision, and professional support to Team Leaders across your portfolio.
• Ensure case management practices comply with legislative, contractual, and organisational requirements, including the Looking After Children (LAC) framework.
• Work collaboratively with DFFH and other key stakeholders regarding placement referrals, case planning, reviews, and service delivery.
• Support Team Leaders to maintain high quality care and therapeutic responses for children and young people.
• Promote continuity of care, family connection, reunification, and positive long-term outcomes wherever possible.
• Monitor program performance, staffing, compliance, and service delivery standards.
• Oversee program expenditure and ensure financial accountability within budget parameters.
• Ensure accurate client and program data is maintained across relevant systems and reporting platforms.
• Lead team meetings and foster a positive, collaborative, and professional team culture.
• Contribute to service development, policy review, strategic planning, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with government, community services, and sector partners.
• Support the implementation of trauma-informed practice and the Sanctuary Model across the program.
• Ensure Occupational Health and Safety responsibilities are met and promote a safe working environment.
• Participate in after-hours support, higher duties, and other operational requirements as needed.

This is a full time position based in South Melbourne, reporting to the Manager of TBER and Contingency Homes. The role involves travel across metropolitan and regional locations as required.

Key Selection Criteria

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• A relevant tertiary qualification in Social Work, Youth Work, Welfare, Community Services, or a related discipline, or significant relevant experience combined with an appropriate qualification.
• Demonstrated leadership experience within Out of Home Care, child protection, child welfare, residential care, or a related sector.
• Proven experience supervising, coaching, and supporting staff to achieve positive client and organisational outcomes.
• Strong understanding of therapeutic and trauma-informed approaches when working with children and young people.
• Demonstrated assessment, decision making, and risk management skills within complex care environments.
• Knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal culture and values, with a commitment to culturally safe practice for Aboriginal children, young people, and families.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement skills with the ability to build strong relationships across government, community services, and sector partners.
• Sound knowledge of the Victorian Out of Home Care sector, DFFH requirements, and relevant legislative and practice frameworks.

Please address the full Key Selection Criteria outlined in the Position Description as part of your application.

We value the unique knowledge, perspectives, and cultural contributions of First Nations peoples. Your experience and insights are important to us, and we strongly encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates to apply.

You must have:

• A valid Driver’s Licence
• Willingness to undertake frequent regional travel
• A valid Blue Card / Working with Children Check
• A valid NDIS Worker Check (where required)
• A satisfactory Criminal History Check (paid by MacKillop)

Our Commitment:

MacKillop celebrates and draws strength from diversity and respects the dignity of all people. Every person has the right to be safe and to be treated justly. We value every person’s ability, cultural or linguistic backgrounds, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, intersex status, relationship status, religious or spiritual beliefs, socio-economic status, and age.

It is our goal that we continue to evolve as a culturally safe, culturally competent, and welcoming organisation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, young people, families, and communities.

Shortlisting may commence immediately, so please apply as soon as possible.