Principal Practitioner

Department of Families, Fairness & Housing VIC; Frankston; On-site; AUD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Department of Families, Fairness & Housing VIC – Frankston VIC is seeking a Principal Practitioner to strengthen the skills and knowledge of child protection practitioners and build a child-focused, family-centred practice culture that integrates evidence from research and critical reflection.

The role undertakes specialist assessments, case reviews, and maintains records; visits children, their parents, families and carers and other professionals involved with clients of Child Protection.

Qualifications

• Must have Working with Children Check
• Ability to travel including in country regions; may include overnight travel
• Understanding Aboriginal culture and legislative requirements relating to Aboriginal children, families and communities

Responsibilities

• Critical assessment and reflection
• Risk assessment and analysis to support and extend practitioner skills
• Case planning review and case management across the team
• Implement strategies for continuous improvement using evidence-based frameworks
• Standardised reporting and interpretation of information in reports
• Promote reflective practice for practitioners and ensure quality and consistency

Job description

Department of Families, Fairness & Housing VIC – Frankston VIC

The aim of the Principal Practitioner is to strengthen the skills and knowledge of child protection practitioners and build a child-focussed family-centred practice culture that integrates evidence from research and critical reflection. The Principal Practitioner will undertake specialist assessments and interventions, case reviews, appeals and maintain case records, visit children, their parents, families and carers, and other professionals involved with clients of Child Protection.

The Principal Practitioner will provide high level expertise and offer secondary consultation and live supervision; facilitate staff mentoring and practice development; and provide leadership in the implementation of continuous improvement strategies based on clinical best practice.

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

• Critical assessment and reflection
• Risk assessment and analysis: proactively identifies and analyses patterns associated with risk assessment and articulates this expert analysis to support and extends practitioner skills
• Case planning review and case management: effectively makes decisions in context of review and appeals and analyses case management across the team
• Critical inquiry: implements strategies for continuous improvement in using evidence-based frameworks across teams, programs and practice; displays broad thinking, drawing on research and literature to support evidence-informed practice
• Standardised reporting: has expertise in utilising information for the purpose of providing and interpreting standardised reports.
• Reflective Practice: promotes practice quality and consistency through practical solutions to time-management issues and prioritising reflective practice for practitioners.

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

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.
For more information on what this means, and all other requirements, please see the Position Description.