Department for Child Protection
Job reference: 841692
Location: 5000 - ADELAIDE
Job status: Short Term Contract
Eligibility: Open to Everyone

Role Status: Full-time temporary vacancy available until 22 January 2027.
Remuneration: AHP5 ($132,440 - $144,852 per annum).

Role Details:

Step into a rewarding leadership opportunity as Manager, Psychological Services, where you will inspire and lead a dynamic team while shaping the future of psychological practice across DCP. In this role, you will drive the development and continuous improvement of psychological services, practices, policies, and systems that support the delivery of psychological assessments, therapy, and consultation services across DCP. You will play a vital role in advancing the strategic objectives of DCP, providing expert psychological advice and making a meaningful impact across the division.

Key Responsibilities:

• Leadership: Develop and maintain a high-quality psychological service that provides assessment, therapeutic interventions, consultation, research, and teaching while providing flexibility to meet the changing needs of client groups.
• Evaluation: Promote and support the undertaking of research, implementation of quality assurance mechanisms and the evaluation of psychological service delivery to clients of DCP.
• Consultation: Provide expert advice and assistance to DCP Senior Executives, Management Staff and other relevant stakeholders in regard to psychological services and the needs of client groups.
• Development: Lead and foster a work environment that challenges and supports staff to develop their capability, while encouraging and providing opportunities for ongoing professional development.
• Guidance: Facilitate performance appraisals, supervision and support systems that enable the identification and implementation of training and development needs to support staff in service delivery.

Core Competencies:

Bringing proven experience in strategic leadership, you will set clear goals, provide direction, and influence others to achieve positive outcomes. You will have the ability to strategically plan, implement, evaluate and review the use of all resources of a unit, the broad service delivery issues and the broader policy and practice issues across the division.

Your track record includes setting performance goals, giving constructive feedback, establishing development plans, and effectively managing underperformance. Proactive and creative in problem-solving, you will foster a team environment that supports continuous improvement. You will also demonstrate expertise in administration, financial, human resource management, policy development, service delivery, and strategic planning.

Ready to lead and make a positive contribution to the delivery of psychological services? Apply now to step into this rewarding leadership opportunity.

Make Your Qualification Go Further:

Alongside the many benefits of working in the public sector, Allied Health Professionals within DCP receive the highest pay in the South Australian Government, supported by an exclusive 4% allowance permanently secured in the Enterprise Agreement. Combined with strong professional development support, clear pathways for advancement and the opportunity to make a lasting impact in child protection, your qualification goes further here than anywhere else.

Why You’ll Love It Here - DCP Benefits That Matter:

We know a great career is about more than the work you do, it’s also about feeling supported, valued, and able to thrive. At DCP, you’ll enjoy:

• A collaborative team environment – work alongside people who are committed to best practice and making a meaningful impact.
• Flexible work options – tailored arrangements to help you balance work and life.
• Recognition and growth – we celebrate your achievements and open doors to development across DCP.
• Generous leave – including leave loading to help you rest and recharge.
• Paid parental and partner leave – additional paid time to support you and your growing family when it matters most.
• Health and fitness perks – discounted Fitness Passport memberships and free flu vaccinations.
• Wellbeing support – confidential Employee Assistance Program services for you and your family.

About the Department for Child Protection:

The Department for Child Protection (DCP) plays a key role in the protection of children, young people and their families within South Australia. The department provides support to vulnerable children and young people to be safe, strong and connected.

Essential Qualifications:

• Master of Clinical, Forensic or Health Psychology degree or equivalent.
• Psychology Board of Australia endorsement as a Clinical, Forensic or Health Psychologist or willingness to work towards clinical endorsement.
• Registered under the Health Practitioner Regulation National law to practice as a Psychologist.

For a successful application, you will need to respond to all points listed under the your capabilities section of the attached role description. Please also note any special conditions that may be listed.

To find out more about this role, including the your capabilities section and special conditions, please click on the ‘apply’ button.

Enquiries: Lauren Cook - Manager and Clinical Psychologist on 0419 502 920 or email: lauren.cook@sa.gov.au

Our workplace reflects the diverse communities we serve. We encourage applications from all backgrounds, experiences, and abilities. This includes women, people with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, the LGBTQI+ communities, and people from culturally diverse backgrounds.

To apply for this role, please click the 'apply' button to be re-directed to the DCP Career Portal.

Applications close: 23/04/2026 11:00 PM

Attachments:
- DCP Job Application Guide.pdf
- Role Description - AHP5 Manager, Psychological Services.pdf

Flexibility Statement
The South Australian public sector promotes diversity and flexible ways of working including part-time. Applicants are encouraged to discuss the flexible working arrangements for this role.