Child Protection Practice Specialist

AbSec; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 85,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work arrangement

Not-for-profit salary packaging

Job summary

AbSec is seeking a Child Protection Practice Specialist to help reform assessment, investigation and decision-making in NSW. The role sits in the Sector Innovations Team and collaborates with ALS and DCJ, combining policy, research and community voices to influence child protection reform.

This fixed-term position runs through to June 2027 with potential extension and a hybrid work setup. Key responsibilities include designing assessment frameworks, conducting policy analysis, developing tools

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualification in Social Work, Psychology or related human services discipline.
• Extensive experience in child protection, statutory welfare or related settings.
• Strong analytical, research and policy development skills.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Must hold or have willingness to obtain a NSW Working with Children Check & National Police Certificate.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert advice and contribute to the design, review and reform of child protection assessment frameworks, practices and reform initiatives.
• Undertake research, policy analysis, practice reviews and sector consultation.
• Develop policy advice, practice guidance, assessment tools, training materials and implementation resources.
• Lead and participate in co-design activities, workshops and stakeholder consultations.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with government agencies and ACCOs.
• Monitor, evaluate and report on the effectiveness of projects and reform initiatives.

Skills

Analytical skills

Research skills

Policy development

Communication skills

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Social Work or Psychology degree

Job description

This is an identified position for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people authorised under Section 14(d) of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977.

About Us

AbSec – NSW Child, Family and Community Peak Aboriginal Corporation is the peak organisation for Aboriginal children, young people and families in NSW. We provide an Aboriginal perspective on child protection and out-of-home care policy to the NSW Government and support Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) to deliver effective services for Aboriginal children, young people and families. We are a not-for-profit, incorporated community organisation governed by an all-Aboriginal Board.

About the Role

The Child Protection Practice Specialist plays a critical role in shaping and strengthening child protection practice across NSW by contributing to the reform and improvement of child protection assessment, investigation and decision-making approaches. Working within AbSec's Sector Innovations Team, this position provides specialist expertise, advice and leadership to support culturally responsive and evidence-informed reform initiatives. This unique role works in partnership with AbSec, the Aboriginal Legal Service (ALS) and the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ), bringing together policy, practice, research and community voices to influence meaningful change across the child protection system.

This is a fixed-term position through to June 2027, with the possibility of extension.

Key Responsibilities

Provide expert advice and contribute to the design, review and reform of child protection assessment frameworks, practices and reform initiatives.

Undertake research, policy analysis, practice reviews and sector consultation.

Develop policy advice, practice guidance, assessment tools, training materials and implementation resources.

Lead and participate in co-design activities, workshops and stakeholder consultations.

Build and maintain strong relationships with government agencies and ACCOs.

Monitor, evaluate and report on the effectiveness of projects and reform initiatives.

About You

Tertiary qualifications in Social Work, Psychology or a related human services discipline.

Extensive experience in child protection, statutory child welfare or related human services environments.

Strong analytical, research and policy development skills.

Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.

Must hold or have willingness to obtain a valid NSW Working with Children Check & National Police Certificate

Full-time 35-hour week based in Redfern

Salary: SCHADS Level 6 commensurate with skills and experience plus superannuation and not-for-profit salary packaging

Hybrid work arrangement in a supportive and friendly work environment