At MANAWISE Care, we’re looking for a motivated and compassionate Care Leader to join our Mackay team – someone who’s ready to inspire others while making a meaningful difference every single day.

Why This Role Matters

This isn’t just a leadership role; it’s an opportunity to shape futures.

As a Care Leader, you’ll guide a dedicated team delivering 24/7 residential care to young people in out-of-home care. You’ll create a safe, stable, and nurturing environment where young people feel supported, heard, and empowered to grow.

If you’re driven by purpose and passionate about people, this is your chance to lead from the front and create lasting, positive change.

What You’ll Be Doing

Reporting to the Area Manager, you’ll bring your leadership and youth work experience together to:

• Lead, inspire, and develop your team, fostering a culture of accountability, growth, and excellence
• Ensure high-quality, person-centred care that promotes safety, stability, and positive outcomes
• Support and mentor staff, including onboarding, training, and ongoing development
• Drive best practice care planning, contributing to innovative, outcomes-focused strategies
• Build strong, professional relationships with stakeholders, families, and external partners
• Oversee case management responsibilities, ensuring compliance with all legislative and organisational requirements
• Manage rosters effectively, balancing service needs, cost considerations, and award compliance
• Participate in the after-hours on-call roster, supporting your team when it matters most

What Sets You Apart

You’re not just experienced, you’re values-driven, proactive, and genuinely committed to improving the lives of young people.

You bring:

• A passion for supporting vulnerable young people and helping them reach their potential
• Proven ability to lead, motivate, and develop teams
• Strong experience in residential care settings
• A Diploma-level qualification in a relevant field
• Solid understanding of the Child Protection Act 1999 and trauma-informed care
• Confidence in balancing leadership, compliance, and hands-on support

Essential Requirements

• Current QLD Working with Children Check (Blue Card)
• Diploma qualification in a relevant discipline
• Demonstrated experience in a similar leadership role
• Current open driver’s licence
• National Police Check
• First Aid & CPR Certificate
• Ability to successfully obtain and maintain a Child Safety and Personal History Screening (LCS)

Why Join MANAWISE Care?

At MANAWISE Care, our values aren’t just words, they guide everything we do. We deliver therapeutic care services across Queensland with a genuine “care at the core” approach. That means we invest in our people, support their growth, and empower them to do meaningful work that changes lives.

As a Care Leader, you’ll be joining a passionate, purpose-driven team where your leadership truly matters – not just to your colleagues, but to every young person in our care.