The organisation:
The Uniting Church in Australia (the Church) is a large uniquely Australian Christian denomination in Australia with heritage from historical reformed evangelical denominations.
In Queensland, the Uniting Church has around 250 congregations and has early childhood, schools, colleges and large community services (such as UnitingCare Queensland and Wesley Mission Queensland).
The Uniting Church is multicultural, committed to reconciliation with First Peoples, calls for reconciliation across its communities and aims to use its people and property resources wisely and in the furtherance of God's mission in the world.
The position:
Uniting Early Learning is seeking a dynamic Compliance Specialist to join the team on a full-time fixed term contract, ending in June 2026.
Position purpose:
The purpose of this role is to guide and support regulations, quality and compliance across all service types ensuring services are meeting all National Quality Framework requirements.
This will be supported through the coordination and maintenance of appropriate policies, controls and processes.
The role will be responsible for working closely with all service types to provide support in response to notifications and complaints lodged with or about the service provider or its employees.
Key responsibilities:
Coordinate the development and implementation of compliance frameworks for Uniting Early Learning (Childcare, FDC, OSHC, In-Home Care) that meet and support organisational strategy.
Liaise with the Department of Education (Childcare, FDC and OSHC) and In-Home Care Agency as an Authorised Officer, on behalf of the Approved Provider (The Uniting Church in Australia Property Trust (Q.)
in relation to notification and complaints under the NQF.
Work in partnership with the Uniting Early Learning management team to support and advise on compliance requirements before, during and after Assessment and Rating visits.
Guide and support the Uniting Early Learning management team to ensure the UEL portfolio, including future mergers/acquisitions, is in line with Regulatory, Quality and Compliance requirements.
Work in partnership with the Corporate Governance Manager and Synod Property Officer to support the notifications to the Department regarding changes to information about the approved provider.
Develop, maintain and review policies across Long Day Care, Outside School Hours Care, Family Day Care and In Home Care, as required under the Regulations and other UEL operational policies, ensuring the Synod wide Policy Framework (A/1.1) is applied to the approval and review of policies, and implementing a process for identifying improvements/regular review.
Maintain effective and efficient processes for receiving and responding to complaints and work with respective internal teams to ensure enquiries, complaints and breaches are closed out appropriately and corrective actions and improvement plans are implemented.
Collate, maintain, update, and evaluate incident report and compliance action registers in alignment with national legislative and Workplace Health & Safety requirements, ensuring the organisation remains compliant and up to date with any relative legislative changes.
Support internal stakeholders in relation to compliance enquiries and notifications.
Undertake analysis of business processes and operations against regulatory and other frameworks.
Manage efficient compliance registers, working with compliance obligation owners and business units to identify obligations and appropriate controls.
Monitor an audit schedule to ensure compliance of the Uniting Early Learning portfolio.
Prepare compliance reports to a standard that could be submitted to the Department of Education or another regulated authority.
Participate and support in compliance related investigations as required.
Audit, assist, support and initiate new processes in relation to compliance-related record-keeping for Long Day Care, Outside School Hours Care, Family Day Care and In Home Care to comply with National Quality Standards and National legislation.
Conduct continuous improvement surveys and provide action recommendations to management and services from survey data analysis to support improving procedures, policies, and overall compliance standards.
Coordinate compliance audits, document findings, and oversee action item resolution timelines, reporting progress to management and if applicable, regulators.
Ongoing monitoring of staff qualifications, study progression, blue card requirements, mandatory training, first aid and CPR requirements.
Maintain and update the ACECQA portal with required documentation.
Maintain records of service Responsible persons, Nominated Supervisors and Educational Leader consents.
Model the values of the Uniting Church in Australia, Queensland Synod in day to day work including in interactions with managers, lay staff, ministry agents, clients and stakeholders.
Undertake other duties as and when directed within the scope of the role and the capabilities of the incumbent.
Qualifications:
Mandatory: Qualification in Early Childhood as approved by ACECQA (Diploma or higher) Desirable: Recognised qualification in auditing or compliance (certificate or higher) Experience and skills:
Demonstrated extensive experience in auditing, compliance and/or risk assurance Previous demonstrated experience in developing compliance and/or policy framework Previous demonstrated experience in complaint handling and investigations Working knowledge of the ISO 19600 Compliance.
Knowledge or previous experience within the early learning sector is desirable.
Working knowledge of the Early Years Learning Framework and National Quality Framework including the Education and Care Services Law (Queensland) and Education and Care National Regulations.
Excellent written, presentation and interpersonal communication skills.
Commitment to working within the purpose and values of the Uniting Church in Australia, Queensland Synod and adhering to the policies, organisational requirements and processes.
Additional requirements:
Suitability Card for Child Related Employment (Blue Card) National Criminal History Check to be provided and assessed every three years.
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