The Department for Education, Children and Young People (DECYP) is seeking an experienced and values-driven Chief Practitioner to lead and set the standards for evidence informed contemporary practice for professionals working within the Child Safety and Youth Justice Operations Portfolio (CSYJO).
About the Role
Step into a system‑wide leadership role that shapes practice excellence across Child Safety and Youth Justice in Tasmania.
This greenfield opportunity will see you establish the Office of the Chief Practitioner and lead statewide reform to modernise, streamline and align practice guidance.
You will embed therapeutic, trauma‑informed and evidence‑based models of care, setting and upholding the professional standards that drive safety, quality and consistency for some of Tasmania’s most vulnerable children and young people.
As a key leader in a nation‑leading Youth Justice reform program, you will help build a contemporary, rehabilitative and young‑person‑centred framework.
If this role interests you, please contact Peter Whitcombe at peter.whitcombe@decyp.tas.gov.au or mobile phone number 0407 559 584.
What we are Looking For
- Demonstrated strategic leadership and management experience in contemporary evidence-based Child Safety and/or Youth Justice service delivery, focusing on children and young people.
- Significant expertise in professional practice disciplines relevant to Child Safety and/or Youth Justice, together with the capacity to set and uphold professional practice standards and build capability and commit to upholding the rights of children and young people,
- Exemplary leadership skills with the capacity to inspire, lead, and implement organisational change in services for children, young people, and families, combined with skills to drive team performance, achieve outcomes, and align strategies with the broader environment.
- Demonstrated success in leading multidisciplinary teams and engaging effectively with diverse internal and external stakeholders, including government partners, service providers, practitioners, and community representatives.
- Senior management experience working in a large Government and/or human services organisation to drive policy and project initiatives, coupled with exceptional communication and interpersonal skills to adapt to varying audiences and resolve conflicts effectively, and the ability to influence at a state and national level.
What we are Offering
- Be part of a nation-leading Youth Justice Reform that places the young people at the heart of everything we do, built on a therapeutic and trauma-informed model of care!
- 5 years senior executive contract, car and car park
- Relocation Assistance: we can support your relocation to Tasmania; embrace a balanced lifestyle, breathtaking natural beauty and exceptional food and produces
- Flexible working arrangements, including start/end times and WFH days, and part-time options
- Access to 3 additional leave days (Christmas breakdown days) and purchase leave scheme
- Wellbeing Connect program and Fitness Passport.
Condition of Employment
- Salary $183,884 to $202,163 per annum + super + vehicle and/or allowance
- Award and Classification: Senior Executive Service / SES Level 2
- Employment Type: Senior Executive Service
- Period of Appointment: 5 years
- Region: Statewide
Hours per fortnight
73.5 hours per fortnight
Essential Requirements
To be eligible, you must have:
- Ability to obtain or have a current Registration to Work with Vulnerable People (Employment Status) – Tasmania.
- The Head of the State Service has determined that the person nominated for this job is to satisfy a pre-employment check before taking up the appointment, on promotion or transfer. The following checks are to be conducted:
- Conviction checks in the following areas:
- crimes of violence
- sex related offences
- serious drug offences
- crimes involving dishonesty
- serious traffic offences
- Identification check
- Disciplinary actions in previous employment check
Must satisfy at least one of the following qualifications:
- A relevant bachelor’s degree, such as Human Services, Social Work, Psychology, Criminology, Occupational Therapy, Counselling, and/or relevant tertiary qualifications related to human and social sciences that provide a solid foundation for roles in child safety and youth Justice
OR.
- A related bachelor’s degree (e.g., Education, Law, or Nursing) who have completed at least six relevant academic units in areas such as mental health, community health, or criminology. In addition, candidates must either hold a supplementary qualification (e.g., Youth Work or Family Intervention)
Plus:
- Have a minimum of 12 months of full-time, relevant work experience within the broader human or family services sector.
Desirable Requirements
- A senior executive with a proven record of management in a health and human services field within a large private or public sector organisation.
- Postgraduate qualifications in leadership, governance, administration, or policy are highly desirable.
Statement of Duties and a reference guide to assist with applying online can be found here:
Statement Of Duties (PDF)
The State Service Senior Executive Leadership Capability Framework should also be used to assist in the preparation of any application.
Senior Executive Leadership Capability Framework
About Us
The Department for Education, Children and Young People is proudly Tasmanian Government’s core child-centred agency. Everything we do is to support children, young people and their families. The Office of the Chief Practitioner Professional Practice leads and sets the standards for evidence-informed contemporary practice for professionals working with children, young people and families in child safety and youth justice settings across the Agency.
How to apply
Applicants should include in their application a 1–2-page short form application outlining your experience, skills and knowledge as they relate to the role and your up-to-date resume.
Applications should be made via the Apply Now button and submitted online by 11.30pm AEDT on the advertised closing date.
Should you have any difficulties regarding applying for this vacancy online, please contact Department for Education, Children and Young People, HR Recruitment and Employment via phone +61 3 6165 6285 or email recruitment@decyp.tas.gov.au.
We strongly encourage all applicants to contact us for an overview of the role and to discuss how your experience aligns with our goals.
Contact
For a confidential discussion about the role, contact Peter Whitcombe, Deputy Secretary Child Safety and Youth Justice Operations, on peter.whitcombe@decyp.tas.gov.au or 0407 559 584.
Applicants should be aware that for twelve (12) months from the date of publication, this selection process may be used to fill any subsequent full-time or part-time vacancies in accordance with Employment Direction 1.
