Child Protection Practice Leader (ACAC)

Victorian Government - Department of Families, Fairness, and Housing; Ballarat; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The Department of Families, Fairness and Housing Victoria seeks a Child Protection Practice Leader to support Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) in expanding their case contracting or Aboriginal Children in Aboriginal Care programs. The role involves cross-division collaboration, travel, and in-country work to transfer children to ACCOs, with emphasis on culturally safe, family‑centred practice.

It is a designated Aboriginal role; a Working with Children Check is required.

Qualifications

• Culturally informed practice required.
• Able to work with Aboriginal communities and ACCOs.

Responsibilities

• Translate best practice and legislative requirements into practice.
• Demonstrate culturally informed practice across teams.
• Lead client safety and wellbeing in meetings and forums.
• Provide guidance to internal and external stakeholders on risk.
• Support case planning reviews and complex cases.

Skills

Cultural safety

Stakeholder collaboration

Risk assessment

Case planning

Job description

THE ROLEThe Child Protection Practice Leader, Transitioning Aboriginal Children to ACCOs provides expert advice and supports the Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCO) to expand either their case contracting program or their Aboriginal Children in Aboriginal Care program. This role is pivotal to support the department's commitment that all Aboriginal children are managed by an ACCO and work to increase the number of Aboriginal children able to have case management and decision making to an ACCO.The Aboriginal Children in Aboriginal Care program is enabled under s.18 of the Children, Youth and Families Act 2005 (Vic). It empowers the ACCO to make decisions by supporting the authorisation process to reduce the over-representation of Aboriginal children in the Child Protection and Care systems. In consultation with the ACCO, the Practice Leader collaborates with the broader Child Protection program to identify and prepare children to be transferred to the ACCO.The role may require you to work across multiple Areas/Divisions to undertake case management tasks to support the transfer of children to ACCOs.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.The Practice Leader (ACCO) will carry a caseload commensurate with their other duties. This role 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 ACCO related issues.ACCOUNTABILITIES INCLUDEPractice leadership: expertly translates best practice principles and legislative requirements to apply in practice.Culturally informed practice and safety: demonstrates leadership in applying culturally informed practice. Demonstrates evidence-based, culturally informed practices across teams, programs and practice.Child-centred and family-focused relationship-based practice: leads and articulates the department's position at meetings and forums using a conciliatory approach, focusing on client safety and wellbeingCollaboration: models' best practice in co-design, providing advice, guidance and expertise to internal and external stakeholdersRisk assessment and analysis: provides support, guidance and advice to the broader sector and community partners/stakeholders. Further develops and coach's others in their understanding of risk assessment and analysis.Case planning review and case management: directly supports and inputs into cases where there is unacceptable risk to the child.Please open the position description to read more.A SPECIAL MEASURE PROVISION APPLIES TO THIS ROLEThis is a Designated role - Only Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people are eligible to apply.This role requires a Working with Children Check.Further advice on obtaining this check can be found here: https://www.vic.gov.au/working-with-children-checkFor more information on what this means, and all other requirements, please see the Position Description.HOW TO APPLYApplicants are encouraged to apply online. Attachments can be uploaded in .doc, .docx, .pdf, .txt or .rtf formats.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.Preferred candidates will be required to complete pre-employment screening, including a national police check and misconduct screening.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)Please apply to submit your interest in this position.