Director - Youth Justice Custodial Services - Care and Custodial Support Services - 977790

The Team

The Care and Custodial Support Services Branch delivers a range of services that support the safety, stability and wellbeing of children and young people across Tasmania. The Branch provides custodial youth justice services through the operation of Ashley Youth Detention Centre, coordinates foster care, kinship care, permanency and adoption services, and delivers specialised care arrangements for children and young people with complex needs. The Branch also leads initiatives to strengthen safety, workforce capability and service delivery within youth detention, ensuring care and custodial services are child-centred, therapeutic, safe and responsive to individual needs.

About the Role

Oversee the delivery of custodial youth justice services which uphold the safety, wellbeing and rights of young people in youth detention. Provide significant leadership in the planning, implementation and management of key strategic reform programs and educational activities at the Ashley Youth Detention Centre, these include:

• Providing leadership across the facility during a critical transitionary period as the Tasmanian Government commissions a new Youth Justice Facility and reform approach.
• Manage external stakeholders and onsite visits during a critical period of increased scrutiny and public interest.
• Overseeing the operationalisation of the new facility, ensuring it incorporates internationally recognised best-practice principles and delivers a modern, fit-for-purpose facility that aligns with all recommendations from the Commission of Inquiry (CoI), the Youth Justice Reform Strategy, and the Reform Blueprint.

Period of Appointment

• Start date to be negotiated for 5 years 

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Applicants should be aware that for twelve (12) months from the date of publication, this selection process may be used to fill any subsequent full-time or part-time vacancies in accordance with Employment Direction 1.

We are looking for

Essential

• Current Tasmanian Registration to Work with Vulnerable People (RWVP) with a registration Status – Employment

• The Head of the State Service has determined that the person nominated for this job is to satisfy a pre-employment check before taking up the appointment, on promotion or transfer. The following checks are to be conducted:

1. Conviction checks in the following areas:
   1. crimes of violence
   2. sex related offences
   3. serious drug offences
   4. crimes involving dishonesty
   5. serious traffic offences
2. Identification check
3. Disciplinary actions in previous employment check

Desirable

• A tertiary qualification in Criminology, Law, Human Services or a related discipline.

Please note: The cost associated with obtaining a RWVP is the responsibility of the individual.

Statement of Duties and a reference guide to assist with applying online

Statement Of Duties (PDF)

The State Service Senior Executive Leadership Capability Framework should also be used to assist in the preparation of any application. 

Senior Executive Leadership Capability Framework

How to apply 

Electronic submission of application is preferred, please click the 'Apply Now' button.

Applicants should forward/include:

• Comprehensive CV, including two referees
• One page summary that outlines skills and experience aligned to the selection criteria (as outlined in the Statement of Duties) 

All applicants are required to supply a valid email address with their application for the purposes of email communication.

Applications should be made via the Apply Now button and submitted online by 11.30pm AEDT on the advertised closing date.

Should you have any difficulties regarding applying for this vacancy online, please contact Department for Education, Children and Young People, HR Recruitment and Employment via phone +61 3 6165 6285 or email recruitment@decyp.tas.gov.au. 

Applicants needing more information are encouraged to request specific details of the vacancy from the Contact Person.

Name: Peter Whitcombe
Title: Deputy Secretary Child Safety and Youth Justice Operations
Phone: 0478 010 350
Email: peter.whitcombe@decyp.tas.gov.au 

About DECYP

Our goal is to work together to ensure that every child and young person in Tasmania is known, safe, well and learning.

The child is at the centre of everything we do and the way we do it.

Our values of Connection, Courage, Growth, Respect, Responsibility represent the foundation of our department’s culture and guide us in all that we do to ensure bright lives positive futures for every child and young person in Tasmania.

We bring our values to life through our everyday behaviours and actions. We want to attract, recruit and retain people who uphold these values and are committed to building a strong values-based culture.

Advertised: 14 Oct 2026 Tasmania Daylight Time
Applications close: 18 Nov 2026 Tasmania Daylight Time

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