Guardian for Children and Young People

_{04th September, 2026}

The Guardian’s office supports children and young people under the guardianship of the Chief Executive of the Department for Child Protection, and those in detention at the Adelaide Youth Training Centre/Kurlana Tapa Youth Justice Centre. It ensures their voices are heard, their rights upheld and their wellbeing monitored, advocating on both individual and systemic matters and, as a nominated Australian National Preventative Mechanism, working alongside counterpart bodies to strengthen outcomes for children and young people.
  
About the Role
The Guardian is an independent statutory position reporting to the Minister for Child Protection. This senior executive role advocates for and promotes the rights and best interests of children and young people under the guardianship of the Chief Executive, carrying out the functions and powers set out in the Act while acting independently, impartially and in the public interest, with the best interests of those children as paramount. It is a dynamic role spanning three pieces of legislation and the child protection, youth justice and residential care systems, calling for a forward-looking, systems thinking mindset focused on practical change. 
  
Key Accountabilities

• Promote and advocate for the best interests of children under the guardianship or custody of the Chief Executive
• Monitor the circumstances of these children and advise the Minister on the quality of care and whether their needs are being met
• Inquire into and advise on systemic reform to improve the quality of care in alternative care
• Investigate and report to the Minister on matters referred by the Minister or Chief Executive
• Lead the Office of the Guardian and report to the Minister, annually and periodically, on the performance of its statutory functions

About You
We are seeking a strategic, values-driven leader with the credibility and independence to advocate for children and young people at the highest levels of government. You will bring

• Proven ability to shape strategic thinking and drive change through a pragmatic, systems thinking approach, exercising sound judgement in a complex, high-profile environment
• A genuine willingness to listen to the views and lived experience of children, young people, families and stakeholders
• Integrity and the resilience to act independently and impartially in a politically sensitive environment
• A sound understanding of the child protection and youth justice systems and relevant legislative and socio-economic sensitivities, with the capacity to work across multiple pieces of legislation
• Demonstrated cultural competence and experience working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, young people and communities  

This is a rare opportunity to directly influence outcomes for children and young people across South Australia. If you are motivated by advocacy, systems thinking and making a real, practical difference, we want to hear from you. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply.

Apply with a cover letter reflecting experience in relation to this role and CV to Ramsden Recruitment or contact Bec Ramsden on for a confidential conversation on 08 8472 9300.

Applications close 5pm Friday 2nd October 2026.