The Department of Families, Fairness and Housing Rural After Hours Service (RAHS) are now accepting applications for Beginning Practice Child Protection Practitioners (CPP3) and Advanced Child Protection Practitioners (CPP4).

If you are passionate about making a positive difference in the lives of children, then a career in child protection is for you. Child protection work is interesting, challenging, busy and fulfilling and involves therapeutic and analytical skills. You will be working in collaboration with families, Community Sector Organisations and professionals to develop and implement effective plans for children.

We are recruiting to positions across the Rural After Hours Loddon and West division teams. As part of these teams you will work to a structured rostered model and provide response and emergency outreach visits as required to all child protection matters that are received outside core business hours, at night, on weekends and on public holidays and will be entitled to applicable penalty rates and allowances. 

The positions are as follows:

Loddon Division

Child Protection Practitioner CPP3 - Multiple full time and part time positions (.74 FTE and .26 FTE) in Bendigo

Advanced Child Protection Practitioners CPP4 - Multiple full time and part time positions (.74 FTE and .26 FTE) in Bendigo

West Division

Advanced Child Protection Practitioners CPP4 – Multiple part time positions (.26 FTE)) in Warrnambool, Portland or Horsham

Advanced Child Protection Practitioners CPP4 - 2 X part time positions (.26 FTE) in Geelong

Advanced Child Protection Practitioners CPP4 - 1 X full time position in Warrnambool or Portland

Working in child protection in a regional location is a unique opportunity. It offers a different experience and sense of pride knowing that you are having a positive impact on children and families in your community where you live. You will benefit from access to ongoing learning, development and career opportunities, tailored wellbeing and support programs, flexible work arrangements and generous leave provisions including an additional 5 days annual leave and substitute leave for public holidays.

Salaries

Current salary ranges (based on full time rosters and excluding 11.5% superannuation)

CPP3 $76,817 to $93,275

Employees who hold a Social Work bachelor's degree will commence at a higher salary, currently $80,111.

CPP4 $95,102 to $107,905

In addition to the salary received, other financial incentives include:

• four annual wage increases of 3% over the life of the Victorian Public Service Enterprise Agreement 2024.
• salary sacrificing options including vehicle novated leases and private health insurance
• annual clothing allowance paid on 1 July of $650 (pro rata for part-time employees)

Child protection retention allowance

A retention payment of up to $15,000 paid over 3 years to eligible CPP3 and CPP4 employees who are substantively employed and reside in one of the regional locations; find out more by visiting this link Child protection jobs - regional benefits | vic.gov.au 

Flexible work arrangements

The Victorian Government supports work-life balance and offers the following flexible work arrangements which are available subject to business needs:

• flexible start and finish times
• condensed working arrangements
• part time options
• generous leave provisions  

Wellbeing

Specialised wellbeing programs for child protection practitioners. We offer dedicated and free and confidential wellbeing and support program designed to support the mental health and wellbeing of child protection practitioners. Refer to this link Child protection jobs - supporting our workforce | vic.gov.au   

How to Apply and Next Steps

Qualifications

To work in child protection in Victoria, you must hold a relevant qualification in social work, welfare, psychology or community services as explained at this link Child protection jobs - requirements and eligibility | vic.gov.au

If applying for the Advanced Child Protection Practitioner (CPP4) role, it is expected you will have a minimum of two years relevant experience in child protection and/or child, youth and family welfare involving case management, along with the required qualifications.

Please refer to Child protection jobs - requirements and eligibility | vic.gov.au  and ensure you understand and meet the legislated minimum qualification, experience and other requirements of the role prior to submitting your application.

We will be running an information session on Thursday 17 April 2025 (AM) which will provide candidates with a detailed overview of the Rural After Hours Service and new rostered model as well as the benefits of working in a rural based location. Invitations will be sent to candidates prior to the information session. If you are not able to attend the session but would like to learn more about the service, positions and rostered model please reach out to Michelle Ferran on the contact number below.

To submit your application please click on the Apply for this Job button at the bottom of the page. Subject to meeting eligibility criteria, you will be invited to attend a virtual assessment centre which will be scheduled for either Tuesday 29 April 2025 or Wednesday 30 April 2025 where you will complete two assessments being a written case study and a group activity. Please note, the confirmed date for the virtual assessment centre will be dependant on application numbers and may be subject to change.

For further information please refer to the attached position descriptions or contact Michelle Ferran on 0458 079 331.

Applications close on Sunday 20 April 2025, midnight.