SENIOR OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST, YOUNG OFFENDER PROGRAM (YOP)

Reference 7CA93C44
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Job Reference:
7CA93C44
Eligibility:
External Vacancy – Open to Everyone
Division:
Community and Aboriginal Partnerships
Location:
Cavan, Kurlana Tapa Youth Justice Centre
Salary Range:
108,347-116,216
Classification:
AHP3
Engagement Type:
Term Contract
Closing Date:
13 Feb 2026

Role Highlights

  • Provide intervention to young people to desist from offending behaviour
  • Support young people to strengthen their engagement in community
  • Work collaboratively and engage with stakeholders

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.

About the Business

Our Community and Aboriginal Partnerships Division helps to build community safety and wellbeing by providing support and services to children, young people and families, including those involved with the youth justice system, remote Aboriginal communities, and people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. The division also leads the department's Closing the Gap work. 

Role Details

An exciting opportunity exists to join a newly established Young Offender Program (YOP) clinical team. Closely working with the YOP Cultural Team, this role supports young people and their families through individualised, clinically sound and culturally informed assessment and intervention. The position plays a key role in reducing youth offending and promoting positive change.

The Senior Occupational Therapist, YOP is role within Youth Justice Therapeutic Services and is accountable to the Clinical Manager – Young Offender Program for:
• delivering advanced occupational therapy assessment, intervention planning, and consultation for young people identified through the YOP process.
• contribute to reducing young offender reoffending by addressing functional impairments, environmental barriers, and developmental needs through trauma-informed and culturally responsive practice and supporting access to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
• providing clinical leadership within a multidisciplinary team, contributing to service innovation, and supporting the development of best practice models in youth justice and disability support.

Special Conditions

Prior to being employed, the successful applicant will be required to obtain a National Police Check if new to the Department and a satisfactory Employment-related Screening Check where this is required for the role.
Successful applicant will be required to hold a Department of Human Services (DHS) Working with Children Check (WWCC) prior to being employed and maintain a DHS WWCC during employment.
Successful applicant will be required to provide evidence of completion of the Child Safe Environments for Children and Young People full day training course or evidence of enrolment.
Must hold a current Australian issued Driver’s Licence (equivalent to minimum class ‘C’ – South Australian), which must be maintained. Incumbent must be willing and able to drive all government vehicles within their licence classification during the course of their duties.
Some out of hours work may be required. Intrastate and interstate travel involving overnight absences will be required.
Duration: Term up eighteen (18) months.

Essential Qualifications
Incumbent must hold an appropriate degree or equivalent qualification which entitles registration as an Occupational Therapist by the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia (OBTA) and must hold and maintain registration with the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency (AHPRA).

Attachments:

Contact Us

Enquiries to Sky Lambert
0417 874 814

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.

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