SA government names interim child protection department boss as Cathy Taylor steps down

Erma Ranieri will be the acting child protection chief executive. (Supplied: Office of the Commissioner for Public Sector Employment)

A new acting chief executive of South Australia's child protection department has been named on the day the existing head is stepping down.

The South Australian government today announced Erma Ranieri, the commissioner for public sector employment, would take over as acting chief executive of the Department for Child Protection.

The current department head, Cathy Taylor, announced she was resigning in January after holding the role since 2016.

In a statement in January, Ms Taylor said leading the child protection department had been "one of the most rewarding periods" of her career. 

"I know the transition to a new CE (chief executive) will build on the strengths of the department and its workforce, and I know the workforce will continue to do everything they can to ensure children and young people are safe, supported and have opportunities to thrive," she said. 

Cath Taylor's last day in the role is today. (ABC News)

At the time, the government said it had begun a global search for her replacement.

Ms Taylor's last day is today and her permanent replacement is yet to be announced.

But the government says Ms Ranieri — who has been commissioner for public sector employment since 2014 — will hold the position in the meantime, with an announcement on the future chief expected in the next two weeks.