Department of Human Services
Job reference: 841849
Location: 5000 - ADELAIDE
Job status: Short Term Contract
Eligibility: Open to Everyone

Here at the Department of Human Services (DHS), we strive to deliver modern programs, services and policy that strengthen communities and enable South Australians to actively participate in community life. With people at the heart of what we do and a commitment to child safety, ageing well and supporting people with disability, we work to increase inclusion, independence and decision-making, and help our communities when it matters most.

Disability and Specialised Services

Our Disability and Specialised Services (DaSS) Division delivers essential support to South Australians through high-quality NDIS services, sector reform, inclusion-focused policy. We provide direct disability supports through Supported Independent Living, and specialised care through our Disability, Clinical and Quality Services, as well as Aged Care Projects. Our work is strengthened by Corporate and Engagement teams, ensuring strong governance, collaboration and positive outcomes for people we support.

• Build and sustain relationships to deliver outcomes for South Australians with a disability
• Contribute to positive change for people with disabilities
• Full-time opportunity in a dynamic, high-impact team

Redefine how we approach disability support!

This newly established, time limited role is not about maintaining existing models, it is about designing what comes next. We are seeking a courageous and forward-thinking leader to help transform how DASS Supported Independent Living (SIL) services respond to people with high and complex needs, particularly at times of heightened risk, instability, or system failure. As Lead, Intensive Support Program, you will sit at the frontier of practice, shaping new ways of working across our services that are safer, smarter, and enabling- for clients, families and the workforce that supports them.

People with complex needs are often those least well served by traditional systems, this role exists to change that. Reporting to the Director, Disability and Community Services, you will provide practice leadership across SIL services that is person centred, rights based, trauma informed and embodies Active Support to intervene at critical moments - when risk escalates, services are under strain, and innovative responses are required. This is a role for an experienced leader who sees complexity not as a barrier, but as a call to rethink, redesign and improve. Someone who is comfortable operating where policy, practice and systems collide, can lead decisively while remaining deeply person centred, be trusted to challenge existing assumptions, shape new approaches and influence practice across DASS SIL and the broader service system.

What you will lead and shape in this role is to drive the evolution of new intensive support responses for people with disability and highly complex needs. You will lead the most challenging cases, providing expert oversight and practice leadership, influence how DASS SIL services respond to presenting need - shifting from reactive, risk averse to intentional and strengths-based approaches where risk is proactively managed. You will set the benchmark for advanced practice, coaching and mentoring of DASS SIL staff, in particular frontline practice leads, build strong cross system partnerships to improve outcomes beyond any single service and program, translate evidence, data and lived experience into tangible improvements in practice and service design. You will play a key role in strengthening governance, quality and accountability.

Who we are looking for is a leader who is bold, reflective and grounded. You will bring deep experience working with people with disability who have high, multiple and complex support needs, credibility as a senior practitioner or practice leader in complex human service environments, the confidence to lead in ambiguity and make difficult decisions under pressure, a commitment to rights based, trauma informed and culturally responsive practice. You will have the ability to think systemically while remaining anchored in the lived experience of clients.

Why this role matters, you will help define and reshape how services and systems respond to complex challenges, your work will influence safety, dignity and long term outcomes for people with disability, you will contribute to reform, not just service delivery and you will join a leadership group committed to innovation, learning and constantly improving- even when the work is hard.

National Police Check required.
Employment-related Screening Check required.

Essential Qualifications

Incumbent should hold an appropriate degree or equivalent qualification in Disability and Developmental Education, Occupational Therapy, Psychology, Social Work, Physiotherapy, Speech Pathology which entitles full registration or membership with the relevant board or association. Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists and Psychologists must have full registration with the relevant profession's board and maintain registration.

AHP5 - Allied Health Professional

$132,440-$144,852

Term up to seven (7) months

Nicole Keller, Director Disability Community Services
Phone: 0426 656 922
Email: nicole.keller@sa.gov.au

Diversity and Inclusion

DHS is committed to making our services and workplaces safe and inclusive for all people and ensuring the full diversity of the communities we serve are represented in our workforce, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability and/or neurodivergence, young people, older people, culturally and linguistically diverse people, LGBTIQA+ and gender diverse people.

We are committed to making reasonable adjustments to provide a positive, barrier-free recruitment process. If you require assistance with this process, please contact us at dhsrecruitment@sa.gov.au and a member of the team will get back to you.

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

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are encouraged to apply. We also celebrate the many strengths and skills people with disability and/or neurodivergent people bring to our workplace and acknowledge our role in ensuring a supportive work environment for people with disability and/or neurodivergent people to thrive in.

Applications close: 28/04/2026 11:30 PM

Attachments:
- Role Description - Lead Intensive Support Program - AHP5.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.