The Department of Health and Human Services develops and delivers policies, programs and services that support and enhance the wellbeing of all Victorians. Our services are in line with the government's vision for making Victoria a stronger, more caring and innovative state.

Our vision is to achieve the best health, wellbeing and safety of all Victorians so that they can live a life they value.

We are building an inclusive workplace that embraces diversity of backgrounds and differences to realise the potential of our employees for innovation and delivering services aimed at enhancing the lives of vulnerable Victorians.

The department is committed to the safety of its clients. The department takes a zero tolerance approach to abuse, including child abuse and abuse of people with disability.

Departmental employees are required to comply with all legal requirements including the Child Safe Standards to keep children safe from harm and abuse.

All jobs can be worked flexibly and we encourage job applications from Aboriginal people, people with disabilities, LGBTI and people from culturally diverse backgrounds.

If you want a career within a department striving to make Victoria the best place to be and helping shape communities we all want to be part of, then we encourage you to apply.

If you are an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander applicant, or if you have a disability, and require advice and support with the recruitment process, contact our Diversity Unit on [email protected].

The department has a zero tolerance towards violence within the workplace and recognises the rights of all staff to be free from violence and gender-related discrimination.

About the role

Number of vacancies available: Various fixed term and ongoing part time vacancies available across Loddon, Mallee, Inner & Outer Gippsland, Ovens Murray, Goulburn and South West Wimmera region.

Are you:

• Looking for Part time work in a regional location?
• Committed to working with children, young people and families?
• Able to effectively engage to provide families with the optimum capacity for change?

We are looking for entry level and advanced child protection practitioners to join our child protection teams in our Rural after-hours service (RAHS) across regional Victoria.

The Rural After-Hours Service (RAHS) is a state-wide service that responds to new child protection reports and contacts regarding existing child protection clients made to DHHS out of business hours.

Position Summary

The RAHS service comprises of child protection practitioners employed to undertake urgent out of hours responses to clients in rural areas. This role is required to operate outside normal office hours and operates an on-call, re-call model where practitioners participate on a roster and conduct emergency outreach visits as required at night, on weekends and public holidays.

In addition to conducting outreach visits, RAHS practitioners will work a core number of days in the Child Protection office and undertake a variety of tasks that support Child Protection operations in the Area/Division.  The roles are usually part time at 0.5FTE plus rostered on-call which includes a stand-by recall allowance, and overtime rates if the team are called out after hours.

RAHS practitioners are not allocated cases. RAHS teams support daytime child protection operations by undertaking prioritised tasks as required during their rostered day shifts and are managed by the division and their team manager for this aspect of their work.

In return you will receive:

• Ongoing professional development and quality supervision by leaders in the field
• A collaborative workplace with supportive teams working towards a common goal
• Highly rewarding career opportunities

Being a Child Protection Practitioner means making real changes to the lives of our community's most vulnerable children and families. A career in child protection will provide a range of professional pathways that support your personal growth and development.

Applicants are encouraged to apply online, submitting a cover letter, resume and qualifications. Applicants must have a current valid drivers licence, a recognised Social Work degree or a similar welfare or behavioural related degree, be an Australian Citizen, Permanent Resident or hold a valid work permit or visa. Work eligibility will be checked as part of the recruitment process.

CPP3 Salary range $69,917 - $84,895 pro rata 

CPP4 Salary range $86,558 - $98,210 pro rata

For more information about the role, please email Kirstin Hargreaves at [email protected], using the subject line: Child Protection Practitioner, Rural After Hours - Various Locations enquiry via EthicalJobs, or visit https://childprotectionjobs.dhhs.vic.gov.au/.

How to Apply:

Applicants are encouraged to apply online, submitting a cover letter and a current resume. Please mention the job reference number and your preferred work location when submitting your online application.

Please note:

For this role, you are not required to address each of the key selection criteria in a separate written document. Applicants are strongly encouraged to review our Careers Page. This page provides information on the department's recruitment and pre-employment screening processes. Preferred candidates will be required to complete pre-employment screening, including a national police check and misconduct screening.

Click 'Apply Now' below to submit your interest in this role.

For further information please visit the Department of Health and Human Services website: https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/.

Applicants must be an Australian Citizen, Permanent Resident or hold a valid work permit or visa. Work eligibility will be checked as part of the recruitment process.