Child Protection Practice Leader

About the Organisation:
Our client is a major department of the Victorian State Government, they enable the continuing support of Victorian's by delivering services that focus on the recovery and growth of diverse communities within state. This department leads the way at a State level in providing opportunities within their key portfolios and by leading bold and innovative reform.

About the Role:
The key objective of the Child Protection Practice Leader is to provide expert case advice and leadership support in developing child protection practitioners in their delivery of expert advice through case management. You will support practice in the development of plans to bring about changes necessary to ensure the safety, stability and development of children and young people. As a leader, you will undertake case practice quality audits and provide a platform for regular practice forums and reflective practice sessions.

Key responsibilities:

- Carry a case load (co-allocated or allocated) with a focus on high-risk and complex cases as befits a leadership position
- Work collaboratively with management to strengthen case practice to ensure effective service delivery
- Understand and practice the core responsibilities and principles of the legislative and statutory framework of the Child Youth and Families Act (2005)
- Identify and articulate risks to children such as factors that place a child at risk or abuse or neglect verbally and in written reports to stakeholders
- Communicate risk and risk-related concepts written and verbally concisely to stakeholders at all levels
- Initiate, prepare and present reports in the Children's Court or other tribunals
- Empathetically and confidently work with families impacted by family violence, drug/alcohol abuse, demonstrating a high-level understanding of the legislative and policy requirements relating to these areas of expertise
- Empathetically and confidently work with Aboriginal families, demonstrating a high-level understanding of the legislative and policy requirements needed to support these families as needed
- Confidently identify normal developmental stages within children and young people, with understanding of attachment and trauma theory
- Operate effectively in a fast-paced and changing environment to deliver results in a timely manner

About you:
The successful applicants will ideally have prior similar and significant expertise providing leadership within Child Protection team/s providing expert case advice and support in developing child protection practitioners with their caseloads. In addition to this you will also:

- Previous experience in a similar role under Australian rules and regulations
- Bachelor's degree in social work or related welfare or behavioural qualifications
- In lieu of a Bachelors' degree, Diploma of Community Services Work or similar qualifications with a primary focus on child development, family trauma or human behaviour
- A valid driver's license
- A current Working with Children Check (WWC)
- Experience in leadership or a senior position with demonstrated experience in providing mentorship and support to a team of any size highly desireable
- Adaptable and flexible to change, confident to work in a shifting and changing environment
- Demonstrates confidence in decision making, ability to make rational and sound decisions based on the consideration of facts and alternatives
- Ability to emotionally regulate when dealing with potentially distressing and sensitive information to ensure a fair and best outcome is achieved
- Resilient in the face of sensitive information, confident communicate effectively to seek guidance and support as needed
- Shows initiative and proactiveness to manage workload
- Demonstrate keen organisational and problem-solving abilities
What this means for you:

- Perform a highly necessary and very rewarding role as a valued contractor within respected and reputable agency of the Victorian State Government that affects positive change for our States diverse communities
- Multiple opportunities available, ranging from short to long term contracts that could also lead to on-going opportunities
- Receive a generous hourly rate above market average

How to apply:
For more information, please click 'APPLY' to forward your profile and current CV through to our friendly consultants