Child Protection Practice Leader Transitioning Aboriginal Children

Department of Families Fairness and Housing; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

The Department of Families Fairness and Housing in Victoria seeks a Child Protection Practice Leader to support Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) expanding their case contracting or Aboriginal Children in Aboriginal Care programs.

The role involves cross-agency collaboration, transfer planning to ACCOs, and travel including in-country regions; a valid driver's licence is required. This frontline role has no formal supervisory duties and reports to the Team Manager.

Responsibilities

• Critical assessment and reflection
• Risk assessment and analysis: provides support, guidance and advice to the broader sector and community partners/stakeholders.
• Case planning review and case management: directly supports and inputs into cases where there is unacceptable risk to the child.
• Critical inquiry: leads planning, review, and management of issues in line with best practice principles and legislative requirements.
• Standardised reporting: provides critical feedback and opportunities for development. Adapts data and develops reports for broad and varied audiences.
• Reflective Practice: demonstrates expertise in reflective practice through interactions and communication with staff and stakeholders.

Job description

THE ROLE

The 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 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 INCLUDE

• Critical assessment and reflection
• Risk 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.
• Critical inquiry: leads planning, review, and management of issues in line with best practice principles and legislative requirements.
• Standardised reporting: provides critical feedback and opportunities for development. Adapts data and develops reports for broad and varied audiences.
• Reflective Practice: demonstrates expertise in reflective practice through interactions and communication with staff and stakeholders.

A SPECIAL MEASURE PROVISION APPLIES TO THIS ROLE

The Equal Opportunity Act 2010, provides for lawful 'Special Measure' provisions, therefore the following has been applied to this role. This is a prioritised position for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who are are strongly encouraged to apply and will be given priority consideration for this role. 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-check For more information on what this means, and all other requirements, please see the Position Description.

Practice Induction Program (PIP)

All new Child Protection practitioners are required to complete mandatory, full-time five-week Practice Induction Program (PIP). This training is designed to provide new employees with the necessary practice of knowledge and skills relating to the role. This is delivered online and in person with attendance in Melbourne required for some week blocks. Regional employees will be supported with travel and accommodation arrangements.