Child protection jobs - who we're looking for

As a child protection practitioner, you will join over 2,000 qualified social welfare and behavioural professionals who are passionate about social justice and the rights of children in Victoria.

A challenging and rewarding career

If you have the relevant qualifications and experience in social work, welfare, psychology or community services, this could be a good opportunity for you.

You must be empathetic and open to change when working with families and professionals.

While therapy skills are important, most of the work is about:

• investigating cases
• reviewing information
• making informed decisions.

Starting your career journey

There are many benefits to becoming a child protection practitioner.

• five-week training program for new practitioners
• flexible work arrangements
• salary sacrificing
• generous leave entitlements
• dedicated wellbeing support programs
• career support.

Victoria’s child protection service works to ensure children and young people are safe, supported and thrive.

Who you’ll work with

You’ll work with:

• department colleagues
• families and communities
• doctors
• legal experts
• educators
• other professionals.

You will build a strong understanding of the child and family services system while managing a range of complex matters. If you enjoy variety, you’ll find this role rewarding, with a broad range of work and new challenges every day.

Supervision

Professional supervision ensures that everyone feels supported and able to grow. There is a structured supervision framework based on global research. The framework aims to ensure practitioners become more confident, secure and supported in their role. It focuses on clients, the work and employing principles of reflective practice. Aiming to increase job satisfaction.

The Department of Families, Fairness and Housing is committed to developing your career through:

• student placement
• employment programs
• on-the-job training
• support
• ongoing supervision.

Changing careers or returning to work

To apply for CPP3 Child Protection Practitioner or above you need to hold either a:

• accredited qualifications, or
• relevant qualifications.

If you don't have the right qualifications, you may want to consider applying for a CPP2 Child Protection Practice Support role.

If you have worked in a similar area like social work, psychology or welfare, you can become a child protection practitioner.

If you’re a practitioner returning to work, there are options to support your work/life balance. Some of the options are:

• flexible working hours
• shorter working weeks
• part time hours
• job sharing.

Wellbeing

The department offers programs to help the mental health of its workforce, and to build and safe and secure workplace.

The child protection practitioner wellbeing program offers:

• 24/7 employee wellbeing programs
• access to peer support networks
• resilience training
• mentoring
• specialist support.