A former SA Health employee who sent her children fake death threats and bloodstained clothing as part of an elaborate scam has been described in the Adelaide District Court as a "dedicated" and "inspirational" mother.

Tabitha Lean, 40, and her husband Simon Craig Peisley, 39 — who also worked for SA Health — are awaiting sentencing on 47 deception charges and one of attempted deception.

During their trial, the court heard Lean, who was the director of the Aboriginal Health Service, became worried she would lose her job during a restructure.

She concocted an elaborate scam which resulted in SA Health paying for the family's relocation from their Elizabeth home to a serviced apartment in North Adelaide.

SA Health also covered other costs, which included interstate travel and medical appointments.

The court heard the pair sent relatives, friends and even their children's school threats, as well as packages of what appeared to be bloodstained children's clothing.

It heard that at the time Lean and Peisley were arrested, SA Health was negotiating a sizeable compensation settlement.

Lean a 'role model to her children'

During sentencing submissions on Monday, Lean's lawyer Christopher Allen called for the judge to offer a degree of mercy when sentencing his client and to consider the effects a possible jail term would have on her children.

Mr Allen said Lean's character could be best summed up by the words of Beverley Hall, who in a character reference said:

"I'm aware of the offences that Tabitha has been accused of and that the jury found her guilty. Nevertheless, it's completely out of character and quite alien to the nature of the person I have come to admire and respect as a family friend over the past 20 years".

"She has always been very caring and helpful to other people, giving from the heart — a rare quality — and a dedicated mother and a wonderful model for the Aboriginal community."

Another referee for Lean praised her parenting skills.

"In my honest opinion, I believe that Tabitha is an inspirational mother and a role model to her children".

"I look up to Tabitha in regards to her ability to raise three wonderful children, even after all of the hardship she has faced".

"I believe that all of the children will go to be valuable participants of both the Aboriginal and general communities and that she should be applauded for their successes."

Prosecution says offending too serious for pair to avoid jail

The court heard prior to the offending, Lean and Peisley had both lived law-abiding, positive lives and at one point had become foster parents for Aboriginal children.

It heard they both still maintained their innocence.

Peisley's lawyer, Heath Barkley, said his client's sentence should reflect that Peisley was not the mastermind of the scam and had instead played a "subservient role".

"Your honour ought to sentence him on the basis that this was not his idea, he did not pen the first letters," he said.

Mr Barkley said Peisley was unaware his wife was behind the first threatening letters, which the family received in 2012.

"He had no idea about that and he had at that point been deceived by his wife," he said.

"She is an intelligent woman capable of manipulation and to an extent that manipulation extended to my client."

Mr Barklay told the court Peisley would not make an application for a home detention sentence to improve his wife's chance of avoiding time in prison.

"It's an honourable and brave decision for the benefit of his children," he said.

Prosecutor Chris Edge said the offending was too serious for Lean or Peisley to receive a suspended sentence or home detention.

"We say while the effect on the children is very unfortunate, it isn't something that can be properly used to mitigate sentence in this case," he said.

"Although the offending in this case is especially complex, fraud of the workcover system (is) easy to commit, difficult to detect and (is) very costly to community.

"Deterrence is really, in my submission, a primary weapon that the court has against this sort of activity."

The court heard the couple was not in a financial position to pay the compensation sought, which was more than $200,000.

Judge Barry Beazley will sentence the pair next month.