Senior Child Protection Practitioner, Outer Eastern Melbourne Area

Department of Families, Fairness & Housing VIC; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 116,000 - 129,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

20 days annual leave

15 days personal/carers leave

5 days extra leave after 12 months

Regional benefits allowance $2,500

Flexible work arrangements

Annual clothing allowance $650

Job summary

Department of Families, Fairness & Housing VIC is recruiting for Senior Child Protection Practitioner roles in Outer Eastern Melbourne Area. You will supervise team members and manage a caseload with supervisory responsibilities, collaborating with the Team Manager to strengthen case practice and ensure safety, stability and development of children.

Travel is required, with a valid driver’s licence and willingness to travel including in country regions.

Qualifications

• Experience supervising staff in a social services or child protection context.
• Strong understanding of risk assessment and planning in family welfare cases.
• Ability to coach and mentor junior staff and coordinate case practice.

Responsibilities

• Assist others to reflect on interpersonal interactions and enhance communication.
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with the team and stakeholders.
• Develop and coach others in risk assessment and analysis.
• Provide case planning guidance and input into high-risk cases.
• Lead planning, review and management of issues in line with best practice and legislation.

Skills

Interpersonal reflection

Relationship building

Risk assessment

Case planning

Team supervision

Job description

Department of Families, Fairness & Housing VIC – East Melbourne VIC

Senior Child Protection Practitioner roles in Outer Eastern Melbourne Area:

To be an effective Senior Child Protection Practitioner, you will have a strong sense of social justice and understand that families are complex, with their own unique histories. Importantly, you will be able to collaborate with the Team Manager to strengthen case practice, provide effective service delivery and to support other practitioners in the development of plans to bring about the changes necessary to ensure the safety, stability and development of children and young people.

At the CPP5.1 Senior Practitioner level, you will supervise team members in daily tasks through a structured and supportive learning program. This role will hold a caseload commensurate with supervisory 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. Department vehicles are used to support this role.

• assist others to reflect on interpersonal interactions, encouraging self-reflection to enhance relationships and communication
• establish and maintain strong relationships with the team, colleagues and other stakeholders
• develop and coach others in their understanding of risk assessment and analysis
• provide case planning advice, guidance and support to others; directly supports and inputs into cases where there is unacceptable risk
• lead planning, review and management of issues in line with best practice principles and legislative requirements

• CommencementSalary of $116,413 to $128,631 per annum (plus superannuation)
• Access to free Child protection wellbeing program (CPWP) and child protection health program (CPHP) designed to support the wellbeing of child protection staff
• Generous leave provisions, 20 days of annual leave, 15 days of personal/carers leave, an extra 5 days of additional leave after 12 months of service
• Child Protection Practice Induction Program delivered over 5 weeks, to equip new starts with the necessary practice knowledge and skills
• Regional benefits, retention allowance of $2,500 for child protection practitioners that live in certain regional locations. Find out more here Regional Benefits
• Flexibility work arrangements, flexible start and finish times, condensed working arrangements, part-time options and more
• An annual clothing allowance of $650

DFFH welcomes applications from suitably qualified temporary visa holders. Successful candidates may be eligible for employer sponsorship under SID482 visa. More information at Child protection jobs - Child protection jobs – international recruitment | vic.gov.au

Applications are open from 28h September 2026 and close at 11:59pm on 26 October 2026

Applicants must be an Australian Citizen, Permanent Resident or hold a valid work permit or visa necessary for the nature of the position.

Relevant pre-employment screening andreference checks will berequired.

Successful candidatesare required toattend 5 weekmandatorypractice induction program.