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, LGBTIQA+ 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.

We are committed to developing and supporting a workforce that is well equipped and highly motivated. All jobs can be worked flexibly, and we encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and people from diverse backgrounds and abilities. .

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.

For more information on working with us and our recruitment process, please visit Department of Families, Fairness and Housing Victoria | Jobs (www.dffh.vic.gov.au/jobs)

Child Protection Practitioner

Being a Child Protection Practitioner means making real change to the lives of others – keeping children safe and families strong.   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.

Benefits of a career in Child Protection Include:

As a Victorian government employee, you will have access to a broad range of benefits and entitlements. These include access to professional development opportunities through training programs, peer support networks and health initiatives. Working in child protection you will have access to a dedicated and free wellbeing and a support program which has been specifically designed to support our child protection employee's mental health and wellbeing.

More information on the benefits in working with child protection can be found on our webpage Why Child Protection | Child Protection Jobs - DFFH.

Key Responsibilities include, however are not limited to: 

• Receiving reports
• Conducting investigations
• Intervening, if it is assessed that a child needs care and protection
• Managing cases, problem solving and presenting matters to the Children's Court of Victoria as required
• Supervising children on child protection orders
• Determining case plans (including stability plans, cultural plans and therapeutic treatment plans) for the safety and wellbeing of children, and
• Delivering case practice and case management services for children and young people who are either living with family or placed in out of home care

We also have vacancies for Child Protection Practitioners in RAHS

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.  In this team, you will be supported by, and consulting with team managers throughout the outreach about key decisions. This is a a critical, fast-paced environment with no two days the same.

 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 with  applicable 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 undertaking a variety of tasks that support child protection operations.

Ongoing, part time positions (38 hours per fortnight) plus on-call work are available.

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.

Locations Available

Please note, this current CPP3 intake is only for vacancies in the following locations: 

• Box Hill
• Frankston
• Bendigo
• Bairnsdale
• Sale
• Swan Hill
• Mildura
• Warragul
• Morwell 
• Wangaratta
• Wodonga
• RAHS: Sale, Bairnsdale, Shepparton, Wodonga, Wangaratta, Warrnambool, Portland, Ballarat, Bendigo.

Key Dates

Candidates who are assessed as eligible are required to participate in short one-way video interview. Candidates who then progress to online psychometric and personality assessments are required to complete these by a set date, information will be provided to those candidates at this stage.  

Online Assessment Centres will be delivered the week commencing Tuesday 28 January 2025 which will last for approximately 2 hours.

All new child protection employees to the department are required to complete one week of mandatory online training modules from 31 March 2025 and then attend a mandatory full time five-week Practice Induction Program (PIP) from Tuesday 08 April 2025.   PIP is designed to provide new staff to the child protection program with the necessary practice knowledge and skills relating to the role. Successful candidates will be required to attend PIP in person, in Melbourne with accommodation, travel and meals included. 

Qualification Eligibility

The ideal candidate would hold a relevant qualification. Refer to Qualifications and requirements | Child Protection Jobs - DFFH before applying. 

Applicants with overseas qualifications will be emailed with further instructions.

Work Rights Eligibility 

• Applicants must be an Australian/New Zealand Citizen, Australian/New Zealand Permanent Resident or hold a valid work visa. Work rights eligibility will be checked at the initial stage of the recruitment process.  

• 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 a national police check and international police check (if required), misconduct screening and two professional referee checks.
• Qualification checks will be conducted.
• 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 due date will be considered.
• You must attach a current resume and a cover letter outlining why you are interested in the position and respond to the online questionnaire.
• Include your Official Academic Transcript or Unique Student Identifier Transcript for Diplomas achieved post 2015.
• Attachments can only be uploaded in .doc, .docx, .pdf, .txt or .rtf. Photos are not accepted.

• Please do NOT attach copies of first aid certificates, driving licences, WWCC or employer references. If you progress to an offer of employment, you will be asked to provide additional documentation. 

Click 'Apply Now' below to submit your interest in this role.
 
For further information please visit the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing website: https://childprotectionjobs.dffh.vic.gov.au/ and also refer to the position description.

For more information on this role, please email Chandler Macleod Group at DFFH.Recruitment@chandlermacleod.com 

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.