Child Protection Practitioner & Advanced Child Protection Practitioner (Rural After Hours Services)

Child Protection Practitioner & Advanced Child Protection Practitioner – Rural After Hours Service (Mid December 2024 Assessment Centre)

Ongoing, Part time positions available (38 hours per fortnight), plus On call work.

• CPP3 – Child Protection Practitioner

As a Child Protection Practitioner you will make a real change to the lives of others – keeping children safe and families strong. Some of your responsibilities will include receiving reports, conducting investigations, taking matters to court and determining case plans. Child protection is a career that grows with you, offering a range of professional pathways and leadership development opportunities. If you are passionate about making a positive difference in the lives of children, then a career in child protection is for you.

• CPP4 – Advanced Child protection Practitioner

As an Advanced Child Protection Practitioner, you will bring your suitable experience and relevant qualifications to strengthen your strong sense of social justice and understanding that families are complex, with their own unique histories. Some of your responsibilities will include conducting risks assessment and managing complex cases. Importantly, you will be able to build relationships with children, young people and their families. The work is interesting, challenging, busy and fulfilling and involves therapeutic and analytical skills. 

Make the decision to pursue a fulfilling professional career and make a difference in vulnerable children's lives. Go Where You're Needed – Do a Job that Matters

For further information please refer to the attached positions descriptions.

About the Service – Rural After Hours Service (RAHS)

Urgent rural area visits are conducted by the RAHS team. This includes responding to cases where existing and new Child Protection clients are at significant risk and require an urgent out of hours response and consulting with team managers throughout the outreach about key decisions.

In this team, you will enjoy a critical, fast-paced environment. RAHS operates an on-call, re-call model where practitioners participate on a roster and conduct emergency outreach visits as required at night, on weekends and on public holidays and will be entitled to penalty rates and allowances. In addition to conducting outreach visits, practitioners will work a core number of days in the Child Protection office equating to 38 hours per fortnight and will undertake a variety of tasks that support Child Protection operations.

The Rural After Hours Service will transition to a full stand up rostered service model in 2025.  Further details can be provided upon request.

Benefits of a career in Child Protection Include

• Professional development opportunities though training, peers support networks and health initiatives
• Wellbeing and support programs
• An additional five days of paid annual leave after 12 months of service.
• Salary packaging options and 11.50% employer super contribution. 
• Relocation assistance of up to $15,000 paid over three years to eligible applicants
• Regional orientation and highly rewarding career opportunities

Salary

• Child Protection Practitioner (CPP3) $76,817 to $93,275
• Advanced Child Protection Practitioner (CPP4) $95,102 to $107,905

Locations Available

• South Outer Gippsland - Sale or Bairnsdale.  
• East - Shepparton, Wodonga or Wangaratta.
• South West - Warrnambool and Portland
• Central Highlands - Ballarat
• Loddon - Bendigo
• Mallee – Mildura (CPP4 specific)

Key Dates

Candidates who have progressed through the selection process, will be required to attend an online assessment centre via Zoom on Thursday 12 December 2024 for approximately 2.5 hours. Alternatives to this date are not possible.

All new child protection employees to the department are required to complete one week of mandatory online training modules from 17 February 2025 and then attend a mandatory full time five-week Practice Induction Program (PIP) on Tuesday 25 February 2025.   PIP is designed to provide new staff to the child protection program with some necessary practice knowledge and skills. Successful candidates will be required to attend PIP in person, in Melbourne with accommodation, travel and meals included. 

Qualification and Experience Eligibility

Candidates must hold a relevant qualification, refer to Qualifications and requirements | Child Protection Jobs - DFFH before applying. In addition, candidates applying for the Advanced Child Protection Practitioner level must also have a minimum of two years suitable work experience in child protection and/or child, youth and family welfare.

Work Rights Eligibility 

• Applicants must be an Australian Citizen, Australian Permanent Resident, New Zealand Citizen with valid NZ Passport, or hold a valid work rights visa. 
• If you are a current visa holder, please ensure you attach a pdf copy of your visa and a pdf copy (in colour) of your passport to your application as the department will complete a Visa Details Check (VEVO).  Photos are not accepted. 

Safety Screening

• Preferred candidates will be required to complete pre-employment screening, including national police check, international police check (if required), misconduct screening and two professional reference checks. 
• Successful candidates must hold or be prepared to obtain a Victorian Employee Working with Children Check card and a valid Victorian Driver Licence prior to commencement with the department. 

How to Apply

• Only applications received online and by the closing date will be considered.   
• You must attach a current resume and a cover letter outlining why you are interested in the position, include your Official Academic Transcript or Unique Student Identifier Statement if you completed a Diploma post 2015.
• If applicable, attach a copy of your visa and passport (in colour)
• Attachments can only be uploaded in .doc, .docx, .pdf, .txt or .rtf. Photos are not accepted.
• Applicable Victorian government employees must apply via JSE.

Click 'Apply Now' below to submit your application for this this role. 

 
For further information please visit the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing website: https://childprotectionjobs.dffh.vic.gov.au/ and refer to the attached position description.

Please note: For this role, you are not required to address each of the key selection criteria in a separate written document. Applicants are strongly encouraged to review our Careers Page. This page provides information on the department's recruitment and pre-employment screening processes.