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Department: HCEA Strategy and Implementation

Department/Agency: Department of Communities and Justice

Location: Parramatta, NSW, AU, 2150

Child Protection and Permanency

Senior Project Officer

Talent Pool

This is a comparative assessment recruitment for the development of a talent pool, which will be drawn upon to fill various Senior Project Officer roles within the HCEA Strategy Unit, as the need arises, and may be used by other business units and divisions, across Child Protection and Permanency and the broader Department of Communities and Justice.

A hybrid mix, including working from a primary work location at least 50% of the time and working from home, can be negotiated.

Employment type: Talent Pool for future Ongoing and Temporary, Full time opportunities

Salary: Clerk Grade 9/10 ( $133,348- $146,945 pa ), plus employer’s contribution to superannuation and annual leave loading

We acknowledge the harm caused by past government policies and practices and the significant impact these have had on First Nations children, families and communities.

We commit to recognition of past injustices, truth-telling, and working in partnership with First Nations children, parents, families, communities and the sector to improve outcomes for children and young people in who can’t live at home right now.

If you are aligned with our commitment and goals of inclusion, collaboration, courage and integrity – we encourage you to apply for this role.

The HCEA Strategy Unit

The High Cost Emergency Arrangement (HCEA) Strategy Unit fosters a collaborative and respectful working environment built on trust, equity, and inclusiveness. Our approach is based around shared responsibility,



mutual respect, and collective action to improve outcomes for children and young people.

Our multidisciplinary teams work together to:

- Reduce the number of children and young people entering HCEAs in first instance by undertaking a preventative approach alongside districts and NGO casework teams.
- Reduce the number of children and young people currently in HCEAs by supporting restoration efforts, finding kinship placement options and addressing vacancies across the funded service system.
- Scrutinise and reduce costs associated with these arrangements.
- Increase placement supply and implement strategies to stabilise out-of-home care (OOHC) placements.

Your role

The HCEA Strategy Unit is an operational unit.

As a HCEA Support Squad Senior Project Officer in the HCEA Strategy Unit you will collaborate with DCJ and NGO casework teams to prevent unnecessary entries into HCEA, support safe and timely exits when a HCEA has been established, and ensure holistic care that focuses on permanency, cultural connection, and wellbeing. Our team drives system-wide solutions, challenges barriers, and partners with the broader sector to support safe and timely transitions back home to parents, kin and Country, or into stable, home-based or therapeutic placements, if suitable.

What you’ll do

In the HCEA Support Squads,



you will lean on your operational expertise and your systems knowledge to reduce the number of children in HCEAs and how long they stay in HCEAs. You will provide practical support (e.g. home visits, group supervisions, assessments or other required operational or field work activities) and expert advice to prevent entries into HCEAs, working closely with casework teams, NGOs, and the Central Access Unit (CAU) to identify alternative placements and expedite referrals. You’ll monitor and review children in HCEA, support exit planning, and coordinate transitions and access to therapeutic supports. The role involves system advocacy, stakeholder engagement, and navigating complex service systems to remove barriers and improve outcomes. You’ll help to mobilise outcomes on-the-ground with casework teams – supporting staff to find family, make referrals, or bring together multiple stakeholders to expedite better outcomes. You’ll also oversee financial approval processes, contribute to quality assurance, and use data to inform decision-making and drive continuous improvement across the broader service system.

The HCEA Strategy Unit fosters a collaborative and respectful working environment built on trust, equity, and inclusiveness. Our approach is based around shared responsibility, mutual respect, and collective action to improve outcomes for children and young people.

Our multidisciplinary teams work together to:

- Reduce the number of children and young people in HCEAs.
- Scrutinise and reduce costs associated with these arrangements.
- Address vacancies across the funded service system.

Increase placement supply and implement strategies to sta

📌 Senior Project Officer (Parramatta)
🏢 Nsw Department Of Communities And Justice
📍 Parramatta