Board room workers

What roles are available?

A wide range of full and part-time career opportunities are available across Victoria in Child Protection.

Practitioner roles are attractively remunerated.

Salaries for Child Protection Practitioners (CPP3-CPP5) are $76,817 - $132,7641*. At the Expert Practice Level (CPP6) the salary range for an Operations Manager is $134,593 - $180,117.

Once you’ve made the decision to apply, make sure that you have an up-to-date resume and your official academic transcripts ready to upload. Applications can take 20-30 minutes.

If you’re applying for a specific advertised role, include the reference code where requested.

*Subject to Victorian Public Service Enterprise Agreement 2024.

Updated September 2024.

Child Protection Employment Program (CPEP)

The Child Protection Employment Program (CPEP) is a paid employment program, where you experience what it is like to work in child protection. Program participants work in a structured and supportive learning environment alongside experienced practitioners undertaking a Case Practice Support Work (CPP2) role. More information can be found at the Students and Employment Programs webpage.

Case Practice Support Work (CPP2)

Case Practice Support Practitioners (CPP2) are integral to child protection You’ll supervise the contact between children and their families as ordered by the Children’s Court. This involves the provision of transport of children to and from the contact location, observing and assessing the interactions between children and family members and providing reports to Child Protection case managers to assess and plan for the child’s best interests.

Case Practice Support workers do not require a  minimum qualification.

Beginning Child Protection Practice (CPP3)

As an entry-level child protection practitioner, you’ll work with children who are at risk of abuse or neglect. In this role, your social work or welfare qualifications will be welcomed into a supportive and hard-working team who share a common goal.

You'll manage cases and work with other professionals in the community to assess reports of child abuse and neglect, and at times present matters to the Children's Court of Victoria. You will acquire an excellent grounding across the child and family services system, managing a variety of complex matters, while changing the immediate future of at-risk children and their families.

Please check the Careers Vic webpage to see when the roles become available. Note that when applying, you’ll be asked to identify your office location of choice from the list of locations that are currently recruiting.

Advanced Child Protection Practice - Rural After Hours Service (CPP4)

Advanced child protection practitioners work with more complex cases and situations. You need a minimum of two years case work experience in child and family social work.

The After-Hours Service (AHS) is a statewide service that responds to new child protection reports and contacts regarding existing child protection clients made to DHHS out of business hours. This includes the After-Hours Child Protection Service (AHCPS), Rural After-Hours Service (RAHS), Central After-Hours Placement Service (CAHPS), Streetwork Outreach Service (SOS) and Central After-Hours Assessment and Bail Placement Service (CAHABPS).

Advanced Child Protection Practice (CPP4)

Advanced child protection practitioners work with more complex cases and situations. You need a minimum of two years case work experience in child and family social work.

As an Advanced Child Protection Practitioner, you’ll receive and assess reports of alleged abuse and neglect of children and young people. You’ll undertake investigations and develop plans to ensure the safety and wellbeing of children and young people is achieved. This may include taking matters to court.

Senior Child Protection Practitioner (CPP5.1)

As a senior child protection practitioner, you’ll be responsible for supporting and developing child protection practitioners in the integration of theory and practice while demonstrating your expertise through case practice, working collaboratively with the team manager to strengthen case practice, provide effective service delivery and support other practitioners.

In your role as senior child protection practitioner – Family Violence, you’ll be responsible for supporting and developing Child Protection Practitioners in the integration of theory and practice whilst demonstrating your expertise through case practice and the supervision of Child Protection Practitioners. You’ll work collaboratively with the Team Manager to strengthen case practice, to provide effective service delivery and to support other practitioners to develop plans to bring about the changes necessary to ensure the safety, stability and development of children and young people and to promote the achievement of case plan objectives within specified timeframes.

In your position, you’ll also support Child Protection Practitioners in the implementation of contemporary methods, systems and approaches to enhance the capacity of Child Protection teams to better respond to risk for children exposed to family violence. You may also have a portfolio lead with key family violence services and stakeholders to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

 

If you are a metro-based, senior child protection practitioner – Court Officer, you’ll be responsible for the management of legal applications listed to be heard in the Children’s Court (Family Division) matters. You will work closely with the Child Protection Litigation Office to ensure Child Protection staff across your area receive timely and appropriate legal advice regarding contested and uncontested matters within the Children’s Court (Family Division) and other relevant courts and tribunals.

If you are regionally-based, you will work closely with the Senior Legal Officer to ensure Child Protection Staff across your area receive timely and appropriate legal advice regarding contested and uncontested matters within the Children’s Court (Family Division) and other relevant courts and tribunals. You will provide strategic advice in consultation with senior management, conduct litigation and represent the Secretary of the Department of Human Services before the Children’s Court (Family Division).

The Senior Child Protection Practitioner – Community Based role is an outposted Child Protection position that will work as a part of a team from the Support and Safety Hub (Hubs) in the local area. You’ll report to the Team Manager – Support and Safety Hubs, and be required to, at times, attend the local Child Protection office for Child Protection-related activities and meetings.

Working within a multi-disciplinary setting, you’ll provide expert advice, support and consultation to Hubs staff, as well as to Family Services, Specialist Family Violence Services and Men’s Services, where there are significant concerns for the wellbeing of children and young people. You’ll work collaboratively with the services to support earlier and more effective intervention to vulnerable children, young people and their families and, where required, support the engagement of families with services. Your work will include direct involvement with unborn children, when there is a high likelihood of child protection intervention post birth.

In your role, you’ll also be required to contribute to the development and delivery of community education to agencies regarding Child Protection statutory processes and responsibilities.

As a Senior Child Protection Practitioner, you’ll be responsible for supporting and developing Child Protection Practitioners in the integration of theory and practice while demonstrating your expertise through case practice, working collaboratively with the Team Manager to strengthen case practice, provide effective service delivery and support other practitioners.

You may be responsible for receiving and assessing reports of alleged abuse and neglect of children and young people, undertaking investigations and developing plans to bring about the changes necessary to ensure the safety, stability and development of children and young people and to promote the achievement of case plan objectives within specified time frames This may include taking matters to court.

The Senior Child Protection Practitioner (Interstate Liaison Officer) is responsible for liaising with interstate and international Child Protection agencies to support the care and protection of children who are subject to child protection intervention. You will be required to establish relationships with key stakeholders and liaise directly with external government agencies to effectively implement the Interstate Child Protection Protocol April 2016. The position will work collaboratively with the services to support effective intervention to vulnerable children, young people and their families and, where required, support the engagement of families with services.

The transportation of children is a requirement of this role, as such a valid driver’s licence and willingness to travel, including in country regions is essential. There may be the requirement to work overnight and, travel in evenings and early mornings. On occasions, additional hours may be required, including weekends to ensure the wellbeing of children.

Child Protection Practice Leader (CPP5.2)

Your responsibility as child protection practice leader will be to provide expert case advice and leadership, and to support and develop child protection practitioners in the integration of theory and practice while demonstrating expertise through case management. You’ll support practice to develop plans to bring about the changes necessary to ensure the safety, stability and development of children and young people and to promote the achievement of case plan objectives within specified timeframes. As practice leader, you’ll also undertake case practice quality audits and provide regular practice forums and reflective practice sessions.

As Child Protection Practice Leader – Sexual Exploitation, you’ll play a critical role in the protection of children and young people from sexual exploitation. You’ll be responsible for providing expert practice advice and leadership. You’ll also support and develop Child Protection Practitioners and other key partners in the integration of theory and practice while demonstrating expertise through case management interventions, systems development and relationship building, and bringing about the changes necessary to ensure the safety, stability and development of children and young people. A key purpose of your role will be to effectively identify children at risk of sexual exploitation, work with Victoria Police to prevent it, and support young people to recover.

Your responsibilities as Child Protection Team Manager are to service delivery, managing resources and budget, cases awaiting allocation and small teams of practitioners. You will have formal delegation to endorse and review case plans to bring about the changes necessary to ensure the safety, stability and development of children and young people and to promote the achievement of case plan objectives within specified timeframes. You will work collaboratively with the Senior Child Protection Practitioners to strengthen case practice, provide effective service delivery and to support other practitioners.

This is an out-posted child protection position. As Team Manager (Community Based), you’ll report to the deputy area operations manager and will lead a team of senior child protection practitioners (community-based) in the local area. Your supervision of the SCPPCB will include reporting on activity and client outcomes.

You’ll require an operational and strategic approach to ensure an effective, multi-disciplinary service response for families that promotes engagement within the community and reduces the need for child protection intervention.

You will be based at the Support and Safety Hub, but will be required to attend the local child protection office for child protection-related activities and meetings. You’ll be required to collaborate with the hub to develop and deliver community education on statutory processes and responsibilities, and also undertake a leadership role in Hub governance arrangements as required.

As a Practice Leader – Aboriginal Family Led Decision Making, you’ll work collaboratively with child protection practitioners and teams to strengthen case practice with Aboriginal children and families, to provide effective service delivery and support other practitioners.

You’ll be responsible for co-convening Aboriginal Family Led Decision Making meetings for Aboriginal clients and work in partnership with the community co-convenor and Aboriginal organisations to provide community education, training and consultation for child protection and Aboriginal agency staff.

As Practice Leader – AFLDM, you’ll carry a caseload commensurate with their other duties. You will have some case planning responsibilities (in consultation with the Team Manager) and will be expected to work closely, collaboratively and effectively with Child Protection Practitioners at all levels. This role does not involve any formal supervisory responsibilities and is expected to be the first point of contact for AFLDM-related issues.

Child Protection Expert Practice (CPP6)

These are our most senior Practitioner roles and you’ll need to be well-qualified with significant experience. Expert Practice roles include Area Manager, Area Manager (regional services), Principal Practitioner and Child Protection Operations Manager.

Child Protection Principal Practitioner (CPP6.2)

As a child protection principal practitioner, you’ll primarily aim to strengthen the skills and knowledge of child protection practitioners and build a child-focused family-centred practice culture that integrates evidence from research and critical reflection. You’ll support practice to develop plans to bring about the changes necessary to ensure the safety, stability and development of children and young people and to promote the achievement of case plan objectives within specified time frames.

 

Child Protection Deputy Area Operations Manager (CPP6.1)

In your role as deputy area operations manager, you’ll be responsible for operational management across the local area including financial, budget, HR and performance management of staff, high profile case reviews and completion of ministerial briefings. The position leads practice to develop plans to bring about the changes necessary to ensure the safety, stability and development of children and young people and to promote the achievement of case plan objectives within specified time frames.

You’ll work collaboratively with key internal and external stakeholders and directly supervises the child protection team managers and practice leaders in the local area.

Child Protection Area Operations Manager (CPP6.2)

Child protection provides child-centred, family-focused services to protect children and young people from significant harm caused by abuse or neglect within the family and aims to make sure that children and young people receive services to deal with the effect of abuse and neglect on their wellbeing and development.

As child protection area operations manager, you’ll be responsible for effective service delivery that meets departmental performance requirements and the needs of vulnerable children and their families. Your responsibilities include building workforce capability and ensuring the support and supervision of all staff within the program. You will work collaboratively with key internal and external stakeholders to ensure optimum outcomes for vulnerable clients through improvements to systems, processes and service pathways. You’ll directly supervise the deputy area operations managers and other roles where required.