• Shape workforce practice under landmark child protection reform
• Senior leadership role with system wide influence
• Drive culturally safe learning and development in innovative jurisdiction

The Position

The South Australian Department for Child Protection (DCP) is seeking an exceptional leader to become the Director of its Learning, Excellence and Innovation Academy (LEIA). At a time of significant legislative reform, including strengthened Aboriginal child placement principles, the Director will support the workforce to be equipped with the skills, confidence and cultural capability to keep children safe and families together wherever possible.

Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, the Director will lead the Academy through its next phase of maturity and impact. Building on success to date and with aspirations of step-change practice uplift, the Director will champion partnerships with Aboriginal communities, practitioners, universities and centres of excellence to lift outcomes across the system. They will be seen as credible and collaborative and a thought leader with whom others are keen to partner.

The successful candidate will ideally bring a background in psychology, social work or related discipline. Equipped with strong Aboriginal cultural capability and experience supporting self-determination, they will demonstrate a record of senior leadership experience in learning, leadership or organisational development. The ability to lead complex change in statutory or human services environments is important as are the competencies of shaping strategic thinking and change, achieving results, driving business excellence and forging relationships and engaging others.

The Organisation

The South Australian Department for Child Protection DCP was established in 2017 following major reform and continues to evolve as a contemporary, values-led child protection authority. The Learning, Excellence and Innovation Academy was created in 2024 to embed a strong learning culture, strengthen professional practice, and support a skilled, supported and future-ready workforce. 

The Department is widely regarded as innovative, including leading Australia’s first social worker registration scheme and progressing an Aboriginal-led system for Aboriginal children and families. Recent enterprise agreement reforms and digital transformation initiatives further support workforce wellbeing, recognition and capability. 

For more information on the South Australian Department for Child Protection visit: www.childprotection.sa.gov.au

Applications close: 8 May 2026