The 22-year-old faces 10 counts of performing an indecent act with a minor and eight counts of sexual penetration of a child under 16 years of age.

She was also charged with three counts of withdrawing a child from the custody of a person.

The incidents are alleged to have taken place between October and December 2008.

She pleaded not guilty to the charges at Ballarat Magistrates Court yesterday.

Four witnesses were called to give evidence at the committal hearing.

The court heard the alleged victim had previously been in a secure welfare facility before being released to a care agency.

A Department of Human Services senior child protection worker said the girl's needs were high and quite specific and could not be met through a foster-care placement.

The girl , who was 15 when the alleged incidents happened, required 24-hour care from a roster of carers.

The defendant had been one of a team of casual care workers who looked after the girl.

Magistrate Kay Robertson said she was satisfied there was sufficient evidence for the matter to proceed to trial.

A directions hearing will be held at the County Court in Melbourne on March 22.