About the Role:

The Program Manager - Forensic & Complex Youth Support plays a pivotal leadership role in the delivery of a safe, stable, and therapeutically grounded single-tenancy residential program for an adolescent with disability and complex psychosocial needs transitioning into adulthood. The position is responsible for establishing consistency, fostering strong and trusting relationships, and promoting long-term well-being through trauma-informed, developmentally appropriate, and person-centred practice.

This is a senior, hands-on leadership role that integrates case management, house operations, and overarching program governance. Operating outside the Model of Care (MOC), the Program Manager provides clear strategic direction, accountability, and oversight across all aspects of service delivery. The role has a strong focus on building, developing, and sustaining an agile and responsive team, ensuring staff are well-supported, skilled, and aligned to the individualised needs of the client.

The Program Manager is accountable for coordinating internal and external stakeholders, maintaining rigorous standards of care, and responding effectively to complex and dynamic risk environments. Through confident leadership and informed decision-making, the role drives a targeted, adaptable service response while embedding best practices in forensic disability and youth support.

Based at DCC’s Ipswich office, the role requires regular and responsive presence at the Logan-based placement to ensure strong on-site leadership, visibility, and continuity of care. This flexible and proactive approach supports program stability and enables timely, informed responses to emerging needs.





This position is well-suited to an experienced leader who demonstrates calmness under pressure, leads with authority and empathy, and is capable of guiding teams through high-risk and challenging situations while maintaining a strong focus on safety, quality, and positive outcomes for both the client and the care team.

Key responsibilities of the role:

- Provide end-to-end operational leadership for a high-complexity single tenancy residential program, including day-to-day oversight of care delivery, staffing, and environment safety

- Deliver consistent case management and advocacy for the client, ensuring their voice, rights, and therapeutic needs remain central to all planning and decision-making

- Act as the primary liaison with Child Safety, QLD Health, mental health services, allied health providers, and other key stakeholders within a multidisciplinary care framework

- Lead, supervise, and support a multi-disciplinary specialist care team, fostering a high-performance, trauma-informed culture focused on safety, reflection, and continuous improvement

- Guide and embed therapeutic practice frameworks, including Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) and Team Teach, supporting staff capability, confidence, and professional growth

- Oversee behaviour support planning, post-incident responses, and structured post-crisis debriefing processes to support emotional regulation, learning,



and staff wellbeing

- Coordinate rostering, staffing sustainability, and fatigue management in collaboration with People & Culture, ensuring program continuity and workforce stability

- Provide senior-level on-call support, including after-hours decision-making during critical incidents or periods of escalation

- Support therapeutic engagement strategies, including family contact and community engagement where appropriate with a focus on safety and client capacity building

- Contribute to program development, quality assurance, and continuous improvement informed by forensic and complex disability practice

About You:

You are an experienced and values-driven leader with a strong background supporting adolescents and young adults with forensic disability, psychosocial disability, and high-risk behaviours. You understand how trauma, disability, and system involvement intersect, and you bring a calm, stable presence to environments where safety, consistency, and skilled decision-making matter.

You have extensive experience working with young people who present with complex behaviours, including anti-social behaviour, emotional dysregulation, and justice or statutory involvement. You are comfortable leading teams in high-risk settings and know how to balance therapeutic care with clear boundaries, structure, and accountability.

For experienced leaders currently working with robust, values-aligned teams, DCC supports continuity of practice and understands the importance of established professional working relationships.

What's On Offer:

- Permanent full-time employment, Monday to Friday

- $110,000 per annum plus superannuation

📌 Program Manager (City of Ipswich)
🏢 DCC Industry Group Careers
📍 City of Ipswich