Foster Carer Recruitment Practitioner

About the role

Are you driven by a passion to create safe, nurturing homes for children and young people who need it most? Do you have the empathy and dedication to support people on the life changing journey of becoming a foster carer?

MacKillop Family Services is expanding into Queensland, launching a Foster Care Recruitment program across the Sunshine Coast and Central Queensland region. This is a unique opportunity to be part of something from the ground up helping establish a service that will have a lasting impact on children, young people, and families.

We’re looking for a passionate, values driven, and motivated Foster Care Recruitment Practitioner to join our team. In this role, you’ll work directly with prospective foster carers, guiding them through recruitment, training, and assessment, and supporting them to become approved carers providing safe, stable, and trauma informed care.

If you're ready to make a meaningful difference and be part of something truly impactful, we’d love to hear from you.

What we offer at MacKillop:

• SCHADS (Level 6) $58.37– $60.95 – 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:

• Support the development and delivery of marketing and attraction activities to engage prospective foster carers
• Promote foster care through community outreach including events, forums, schools, and local networks
• Manage enquiry pathways, including pre-screening and compliance checks for applicants
• Facilitate carer preparation training to equip applicants for their caring roles
• Conduct comprehensive foster carer assessments using competency-based tools
• Present assessments at authorisation panels
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date information across carer management systems
• Build strong relationships with stakeholders, service networks, and community organisations
• Ensure all work reflects trauma-informed practice and the Sanctuary Model
• Identify opportunities for continuous improvement in recruitment and assessment practices
• Travel regularly and work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends when required

Based in Rockhampton and/or Gladstone, we are currently recruiting 1 Foster Care Recruitment Practitioner to support our work across the Central Queensland region. The role involves regular regional travel and sit within the Queensland Foster Care Recruitment team, reporting to the Foster Care Recruitment Coordinator.

This is a full-time position, with flexibility required including occasional evenings and weekends.

Key Selection Criteria:

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• A relevant tertiary qualification in social work, psychology, community services, or a related field
• Demonstrated experience in the Out-of-Home Care sector
• Experience in carer recruitment, assessment, training, or support
• Demonstrated ability to deliver training or facilitate group work
• Strong relationship-building and stakeholder engagement skills
• High-level organisational and time management skills

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 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander 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.