Residential Care Officer Full Time

Position: Residential Care Officer

Position Type: Full-Time

Salary: $69,000 plus superannuation per annum

Location: Mawson Lakes SA 5095

Our client Bright Hope is committed to providing high-quality residential care services to vulnerable children, youth or persons with disability (depending on your service focus). They aim to foster safe, supportive environments that promote wellbeing, growth, and recovery. As a Residential Care Officer you will play a critical role in delivering person-centred care, supervision, and support within residential settings.

As a Residential Care Officer is responsible for providing care, supervision, and support to residents -children, youth, or persons with disability. This role ensures each person’s safety, wellbeing, developmental support, and social connection, while working collaboratively with the care team, families, and external agencies.

Key Responsibilities:

• Deliver compassionate, person-centred care and supervision to residents, ensuring their physical, emotional, and social wellbeing are consistently supported.
• Create and maintain a safe, nurturing, and respectful residential environment that promotes dignity, self-worth, and personal independence.
• Implement tailored individual care and behaviour support plans in collaboration with multidisciplinary teams to meet each resident’s unique needs and goals.
• Monitor residents’ progress, document observations, and adjust care approaches to achieve positive therapeutic and developmental outcomes.
• Support residents in developing emotional regulation, social skills, and resilience through trauma-informed and strengths-based practices.
• Assist residents with daily living activities, including personal hygiene, meal preparation, budgeting, and household management, to enhance autonomy and life skills.
• Ensure compliance with all health, safety, and wellbeing requirements, promptly responding to risks, incidents, and emergencies in accordance with policy.
• Maintain accurate, confidential, and up-to-date records, including case notes, incident reports, and progress documentation, consistent with organisational standards.
• Collaborate effectively with families, guardians, caseworkers, and allied health professionals to coordinate holistic and consistent care.
• Advocate for residents’ rights, preferences, and cultural identities, ensuring their voices are heard and respected in all aspects of service delivery.
• Participate actively in team meetings, debriefings, and reflective practice sessions to promote collaboration and continuous improvement.
• Contribute to organisational development by identifying opportunities to enhance service quality, resident outcomes, and operational efficiency.
• Adhere to professional and ethical standards while upholding Bright Hope’s values, mission, and code of conduct.
• Engage in ongoing professional learning to maintain current knowledge in residential care, behaviour management, and trauma-informed practice.

Requirements:

• Diploma or higher qualification in Community Services, Welfare, Youth Work, Disability, Social Work or related field.
• A minimum of 12 months of prior relevant experience
• Additional specialised training or certification in behaviour support, trauma-informed care, first aid, or mental health is desirable.
• Previous experience working in residential care, youth services, disability services, or a similar setting.
• Demonstrated experience in case planning, behaviour management, risk assessment, and liaising with external agencies.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and relationship building skills (with residents, families, colleagues, external stakeholders).
• Assessment, planning and evaluation skills – ability to translate theory into practice.
• Conflict resolution, de-escalation, behaviour support skills.
• Ability to maintain composure under stress, to respond to crisis situations.
• Strong documentation, record-keeping, reporting and computer literacy skills.
• Organisational skills, ability to prioritise, manage time and juggle multiple responsibilities.
• Understanding of relevant legislation, standards, policies (child protection, disability, privacy, working with children, etc.).
• Commitment to person-centred practice, cultural sensitivity, trauma-informed care, dignity and rights of individuals.
• High ethical standards, confidentiality, integrity.
• Flexibility to work across shifts, including evenings, weekends, overnight.
• Valid Working with Children Check / Police Clearance / National Criminal History Check.
• First Aid & CPR certification (or willingness to obtain).
• Valid driver’s licence (if role involves transport or offsite activities).

Benefits of Working at Bright Hope

• Competitive pay and fair employment conditions in line with industry standards.
• Supportive, inclusive, and values-driven workplace culture.
• Ongoing professional development, supervision, and training opportunities.
• Flexible rosters to promote work–life balance.
• Access to employee wellbeing and assistance programs.
• Safe and positive working environment with strong leadership support.
• Meaningful and rewarding work that makes a real difference in people’s lives.
• Opportunities for career growth and internal progression.