Practice Leader (Child Protection Navigator)

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 Navigator to lead the Family Preservation and Reunification Response. This senior role champions trauma‑informed, culturally safe and child‑ and family‑centred practice, with a focus on connected, evidence‑informed work between Child Protection and family services.

The role includes case carrying, quality audits, reflective practice sessions and opportunities to influence practice culture; travel

Qualifications

• Must have Working with Children Check.
• Valid driver’s licence and willingness to travel, including in-country regions.
• Ability to work overnight and travel during evenings/early mornings.
• Understand Aboriginal culture and the Aboriginal Child Placement Principle within child protection practice.

Responsibilities

• Risk assessment and analysis: authorises plans and decisions in relation to risk assessment, analysis and mitigation/intervention.
• Case planning review and case management: leads planning, review and management of their own and team members' case work.
• Critical inquiry: leads planning, review and management of issues in line with best practice principles and legislative requirements.

Job description

THE ROLE

The Child Protection Navigator is a Practice Leader Position dedicated to the Family Preservation and Reunification Response. The Child Protection Practice Leader Navigator supports activation of the Response and right time, with the right people and in the right place to promote and protect the rights and best interests of children and young people. The Child Protection Practice Leader Navigator will model and enhance trauma informed, culturally safe and responsive practice that is child and family centred, relational and evidence-informed and integrated to improve outcomes of child safety, wellbeing and development. The Child Protection Navigator provides a unique opportunity to make a positive difference in the lives of vulnerable children and families and has a strong focus to develop a connected and coordinated practice culture and mindset shift of Response practitioners within child and family services and Child Protection practitioners working together. The role may also undertake case practice quality audits and provide regular practice forums and reflective practice sessions. A requirement of this role includes a case carrying component, commensurate with other responsibilities. 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. You will possess an understanding of Aboriginal culture and demonstrate an understanding of the legislative, policy and practice requirements relating to Aboriginal children, families, and communities, including the Aboriginal Child Placement Principle and the programs and initiatives that support its implementation in child protection practice. ACCOUNTABILITIES INCLUDE

• * * Risk assessment and analysis: authorises plans and decisions in relation to risk assessment, analysis and mitigation/intervention
• * Case planning review and case management: leads planning, review and management of their own and team members' case work
• * Critical inquiry: leads planning, review and management of issues in line with best practice principles and legislative requirements

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.