This role provides occupational therapy services that are responsive to the unique functional needs of young people in youth detention, and also support service continuity following a young person’s release into the community. As an Occupational Therapist working within a youth detention centre, you will deliver high-quality individual, universal and systemic consultation, assessment, and intervention services and provide specialist advice to a range of internal and external stakeholders regarding the care and support of young people, who have complex support needs or disability specific support needs.

You will also build the capability of the youth detention operational workforce to understand, manage and support young people’s functional support needs, in line with case planning and intervention objectives.

Job details

Key responsibilities

As the Occupational Therapist, you will specifically:

• Conduct high-quality, comprehensive clinical assessments of young people's functional skills that contribute to multi-disciplinary clinical evaluations and comprehensive neurodevelopmental assessments. Develop associated high-quality reports which may inform referrals and interventions in both detention and community-based settings.
• Implement high-quality interventions with young people to assist with their daily functioning, essential life skills, skill-building, sensory processing, emotional regulation and environmental modifications that demonstrate an underpinning knowledge of the impacts of complex trauma, mental health and disabilities on their functional skills.
• Demonstrate cultural capability and communicate effectively and sensitively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people, understanding the historical impacts of First Nations people in institutional settings, to ensure holistic service provision that takes cultural protocols, influences and events into consideration.
• Engage and collaborate with cultural supports on centre to ensure that all services are delivered in a responsive manner that is appropriate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people.
• Lead, coordinate and/or actively contribute to multi-disciplinary meetings with both internal and external stakeholders to support integrated case management and to ensure open and effective communication is maintained for the best interests of the young person. As required, provide written information and other support to staff to implement strategies.
• Complete occupational therapy documentation required for the management of NDIS participant funding, including assessment and re-assessment reports, functional capacity assessments and supporting letters.
• Provide expert advice and support to internal and external stakeholders on complex, profession-specific practice and client issues.
• Assist in transition planning, including referrals to clinical services and supports in the community.
• Design and deliver occupational therapy-specific training programs relating to the management of young people with functional support needs to increase the skills, knowledge, and capability of the broader workforce.
• Understand the complexities of a high-risk environment and assist with the safety and security of the youth detention centre by adhering to operational procedures as required.

What we are looking for

We will assess your suitability for this role by looking at what you have done previously - the knowledge, skills and experience built, your potential for development, and your personal qualities. Every staff member is expected to role model leadership behaviours. This role requires the leadership capabilities of an individual contributor as outlined in the Leadership competencies for Queensland booklet.

Leadership capability level for this position: Individual Contributor

• Leads strategically: Thinks critically and acts on the broader purpose of the system (Vision)
• Builds enduring relationships: Builds and sustains relationships to enable the collaborative delivery of customer-focused outcomes (Results)
• Pursues continuous growth: Pursues opportunities for growth through agile learning, and development of self-awareness (Accountability)
• Drives accountability and outcomes: Demonstrates accountability for the execution and quality of results through professionalism, persistence, and transparency (Results)

Role specific/technical skills:

• You have a strong understanding of the human services sector, including the ability to work collaboratively with diverse youth, families and communities to deliver client-centred and culturally responsive services.

Applications to remain current for 12 months.

Job Ad Reference: QLD/696104/26

Closing Date: Thursday, 6th August 2026

Further information

We are committed to building inclusive cultures in the Queensland public sector that respect and promote human rights and diversity.

Please ensure you download all attachments and follow the instructions on how to apply.

Documents

Before applying for this vacancy please ensure you read the documents below.

• 696104 26 - Role Description (Word, 435KB)