Foster Care Recruitment Practitioner

About The Role

Are you passionate about creating safe and nurturing environments for children and young people in need? This position offers the chance to support individuals through the transformative process of becoming foster carers.

MacKillop Family Services is expanding its presence in Queensland by launching a Foster Care Recruitment program across the Sunshine Coast and Central Queensland. This presents a unique opportunity to contribute to the development of a service that profoundly impacts children, youth, and families.

We seek a committed, value-driven, and enthusiastic Foster Care Recruitment Practitioner to join our team. This role involves guiding prospective foster carers through recruitment, training, assessment, and supporting their authorization to provide safe, stable, and trauma-informed care.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and assist in creating and executing marketing and attraction activities aimed at engaging prospective foster carers.
• Advocate for foster care through community engagement including events, forums, schools, and local networks.
• Manage enquiry pathways, including initial pre-screening and compliance checks of applicants.
• Conduct preparation training sessions to prepare applicants for their foster caregiving roles.
• Perform thorough foster carer assessments utilizing competency-based evaluation tools.
• Present findings and assessments to authorisation panels for approval processes.
• Keep all carer management systems up to date and accurate with relevant data.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders, local service networks, and community organizations.
• Ensure all practices are trauma-informed and aligned with the Sanctuary Model framework.
• Continuously identify and recommend improvements to recruitment and assessment processes.
• Be prepared for regular travel and flexible working hours including evenings and weekends as necessary.

Candidate Requirements

• Possess a relevant tertiary qualification in social work, psychology, community services, or a related discipline.
• Have verified experience in the Out-of-Home Care sector.
• Demonstrated background in recruitment, assessment, training, or supporting foster carers.
• Proven skills in delivering training and facilitating group-based work.
• Ability to build strong relationships and engage effectively with various stakeholders.
• Excellent organisational and time management capabilities.
• Hold a valid Driver’s Licence.
• Willingness and ability to conduct frequent regional travel.
• Possess a valid Blue Card or equivalent Working with Children Check.
• Hold a valid NDIS Worker Check if required.
• Ability to undergo and clear a Criminal History Check (covered by MacKillop).

Additional Information

• The role is based in Rockhampton and/or Gladstone with travel across Central Queensland.
• One full-time position is available within the Queensland Foster Care Recruitment team reporting to the Foster Care Recruitment Coordinator.
• The position requires flexibility, including occasional evening and weekend work.
• MacKillop offers a Salary range between $58.37 to $60.95 per hour under the SCHADS Level 6, based on experience and qualifications.
• Employee benefits include salary sacrificing up to $18,550 annually for tax efficiency, access to confidential wellbeing support for mental, physical, financial, and social health, and engagement with the Sanctuary Model to foster a trauma-informed workplace culture.
• There are special career pathways under the Warrungarli Strategy supporting First Nations staff recruitment, retention, and development.
• An Aboriginal Staff Network, Ngindaay Guumaldanha, provides community and connection opportunities.
• MacKillop is committed to a culturally safe and inclusive work environment and encourages Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates to apply.