Advanced Child Protection Practitioner, Rural After

Location: North West Region | Bendigo

Job type: Part time

Organisation: Department of Families, Fairness and Housing

**Salary**: $91,418 - $103,725

Occupation: Community Services

Reference: VG/DFFH/COPL/00378496A

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.

If you’re having any trouble viewing this ad and would like it or any attachments in an accessible format (such as large print), please don’t hesitate to get in touch with the contact person listed on the ad.

**THE ROLE**

Rural After Hours Services (RAHS) teams are part of the After Hours Services (Statewide) service across the state.

Members of these teams conduct urgent rural area visits to respond to cases where existing and new Child Protection clients are at significant risk and require an urgent out of hours response. Practitioners conducting this response will consult with team managers throughout the outreach regarding key decisions.

In this team, you will enjoy a critical, fast-paced environment whilst working part-time hours during the day and on call during weeknights, weekends and public holidays.

The core function of the RAHS team is to:

- respond to reports about children where there is concern that they are in need of protection
- undertake investigations and develop plans to ensure the immediate safety and wellbeing of children and young people
- visit children or families in urgent cases where harm or likelihood of harm requires immediate Child Protection involvement
- initiate and prepare matters for the Children's Court
- work closely with other professionals such as police, family violence services, Aboriginal Controlled Community Organisations (ACCO) and medical professionals to share information and conduct a shared approach to risk.

As a member of this team you are eligible for a standby (on-call) allowance for each time period you are on standby, regardless of whether you are called out on an outreach visit, as well as additional overtime rates for hours worked when called out on outreach visits.

**ACCOUNTABILITIES INCLUDE**

1.Risk assessment and analysis - gathers information through a variety of sources and technologies in order to identify, articulate, and plan for the risks relating to each situation. Applies a strong forensic lens, and professional judgement, to analyse the available evidence.

2. Case planning review and case management - draws insights from assessment and analysis to formulate a meaningful and effective case plan, and reviews case progress and outcomes. Co-ordinates and leads the planning, review, and management of casework within DFFH and across other agencies and services.

3. Critical enquiry - uses evidence-based frameworks to investigate issues and is able to understand the root cause of each issue as well as the potential implications.

Please open the position description to read more.

**WORKING IN RURAL VICTORIA INCENTIVE**

External applicants relocating to a regional area could be eligible for up to $20,500 worth of incentives. Internal applicants relocating to a regional area could be eligible for up to $15,500 worth of incentives. If you live and work in an area classified as ‘remote' by the Australian Tax Office, you may also be eligible for additional salary packaging arrangements, such as mortgage interest, rental costs, and residential utilities.

**VACCINATION REQUIREMENTS POLICY**

The department may require its employees to be fully vaccinated against preventable diseases such as the current coronavirus (COVID-19). The department's COVID-19 Vaccination requirements policy(Word) outlines the requirements for existing employees, other workplace participants and prospective employees. Please read in full prior to applying.

**HOW TO APPLY**

Applicants are required to submit a CV and Cover Letter (max 2 pages) outlining their suitability to the role in line with the Key Selection Criteria.

Applicants must be an Australian Citizen, Permanent Resident or hold a valid work permit or visa. Work eligibility will be checked as part of the recruitment process.