Advanced Child Protection Practitioner

Location: Melbourne | Eastern Metropolitan

Job type: Full time

Organisation: Department of Families, Fairness and Housing

**Salary**: $90,067 - $102,192

Occupation: Community Services

Reference: VG/DFFH/COPL/00381144

The Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH) works hard to create equal opportunities for all Victorians to live a safe, respected and valued life.

Our areas of focus are child protection, housing, disability, the prevention of family violence, multicultural affairs, LGBTQI+ equality, veterans, women and youth. The work we do benefits thousands of Victorians, particularly those who are disadvantaged and vulnerable.

We work in a variety of community-based settings, including people's homes, residential facilities and secure settings across metropolitan, rural and regional Victoria.

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An excting opportunity exists for an Advanced Child Protection pracitioners on an Ongoing - Full-time basis in the Central After Hours team

Are you:

- Committed to working with children, young people and families?
- Able to effectively engage to provide families with the optimum capacity for change?
- Continually improving your skills and knowledge to further develop your professional practice?
- Interested in a positive work-life balance?

In the context of a whole of community approach, Advanced Child Protection Practitioners have a specific statutory role in protecting children and young people from harm and promoting their rights and healthy development. The After Hours Child Protection Service (AHCPS) is a state-wide service that responds to new child protection reports and contacts regarding existing child protection clients made to DFFH out of business hours.
- This role is required to operate outside normal office hours, during weekends and public holidays, with associated penalty rates._
- Evening and overnight shift availability is essential. Shift patterns include weekday 4.30pm - 2.30am, or 10.30pm - 9am. Weekends 8am - 6pm or 3pm - 1am._

**We are looking for experienced Child Protection Practitioners that enjoy a fast paced supportive environment.**

The Central After Hours Service is located within the Eastern Metropolitan Region and provides a range of After Hours Services within the program area of Statewide Services Group. Services operating from the Central After Hours Service include:
- The After Hours Child Protection Service (AHCPS) is a state wide service that responds to new child protection reports and contacts regarding existing child protection clients made to Department of Health & Human Services out of business hours. The AHCPS also incorporates an after hours placement function for children and young people requiring out of home placement.
- The Streetwork Outreach Service (SOS) and Central After Hours and Bail Placement Service (CAHABPS) operates as an integrated after hours service providing assertive street based outreach to young people at risk of harm and exploitation in St Kilda and the Central Business District; and a response for young people at risk of being remanded due to their criminal activity, undertaking assessments in relation to bail placement suitability and facilitation of bail placement.

The Advanced Child Protection Practitioner (AHCPES) receives and assesses reports of alleged abuse and neglect of children and young people. They undertake investigations and develop plans to ensure the safety and wellbeing of children and young people is achieved.

Mandatory qualifications or requirements for this opportunity include:
A recognised Social Work degree or a similar welfare or behavioural related degree which includes:
(a) a primary focus on child development, human behaviour, family dynamics and/or impacts of trauma; and preferably

(b) a practical component such as counselling or case work practice

or

A recognised Diploma of Community Services Work, or similar qualification which is studied over a minimum of two academic years of full-time study (or part time equivalent) and includes:
(b) a primary focus on child development, human behaviour, family dynamics and/or impacts of trauma

(c) supervised fieldwork placements (ideally completed within the child and family welfare sector) and at least one unit of study in case management, case work practice or counselling

and
- A valid driver's licence.
- A current Working with Children Check (WWCC) card.

For information on the accountabilities and key selection criteria, qualifications and/or requirements for the role please refer to the attached Position Description.

MANDATORY VACCINATION POLICYThe department is committed to providing and maintaining a working environment which is safe and without risk to the health of its workers and clients. The department may require its employees to b