The Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH) works hard to create equal opportunities for all Victorians to live a safe, respected and valued life.

Our areas of focus are child protection, housing, disability, the prevention of family violence, multicultural affairs, LGBTQI+ equality, veterans, women and youth. The work we do benefits thousands of Victorians, particularly those who are disadvantaged and vulnerable.

We work in a variety of community-based settings, including people's homes, residential facilities and secure settings across metropolitan, rural and regional Victoria.

We are committed to developing and supporting a workforce that is well equipped and highly motivated. All jobs can be worked flexibly, and we encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and people from diverse backgrounds and abilities.

If you are having any trouble viewing this ad and would like it or any attachments in an accessible format (such as large print), please do not hesitate to get in touch with the contact person listed on the ad.

For more information on working with us and our recruitment process, please visit Department of Families, Fairness and Housing Victoria | Jobs (www.dffh.vic.gov.au/jobs)

THE ROLE

The Advanced Child Protection Practitioner, Rural After Hours Service (RAHS) receives and assesses reports of alleged abuse and neglect of children and young people. They undertake investigations and develop plans to ensure the safety and wellbeing of children and young people is achieved. In this team you will enjoy a critical, fast-paced environment whilst working part-time hours during the day and on call during weeknights, weekends and public holidays.

This position is Ongoing, Part time (0.5 FTE) plus on-call roster and can be flexibly based in either the Warrnambool / Portland / Hamilton / Horsham office in the Wimmera South-West region.

All out of hours urgent child protection matters are responded to and managed by the Central After-Hours Service (CAHS). This includes receiving and assessing new reports and conducting urgent visits to assess the risk and safety for a child. Rural After-Hours teams support the AHS across the State. Urgent rural area visits are conducted by the RAHS team. This includes responding to cases where existing and new Child Protection clients are at significant risk and require an urgent out of hours response and consulting with CAHS throughout the outreach about key decisions.

RAHS operates an on-call, re-call model and practitioners participate on a roster and conduct emergency outreach visits as required on nights, 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.

ACCOUNTABILITIES INCLUDE:

• Risk assessment and analysis - gathers information through a variety of sources and technologies in order to identify, articulate, and plan for the risks relating to each situation. Applies a strong forensic lens, and professional judgement, to analyse the available evidence.
• Case planning review and case management - draws insights from assessment and analysis to formulate a meaningful and effective case plan, and reviews case progress and outcomes. Co-ordinates and leads the planning, review, and management of casework within DFFH and across other agencies and services.
• Critical enquiry - uses evidence-based frameworks to investigate issues and is able to understand the root cause of each issue as well as the potential implications.

Please open the position description to read more.

WORKING IN RURAL VICTORIA INCENTIVE

External applicants relocating to a regional area could be eligible for up to $20,500 worth of incentives. Internal applicants relocating to a regional area could be eligible for up to $15,500 worth of incentives.  If you live and work in an area classified as ‘remote' by the Australian Tax Office, you may also be eligible for additional salary packaging arrangements, such as mortgage interest, rental costs, and residential utilities. 

COVID-19 VACCINATION

The department strongly recommends (but does not mandate) that employees maintain their COVID-19 vaccination status in accordance with current ATAGI (Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation) advice, given their individual circumstances. As of June 2023, DFFH does not require evidence of COVID-19 vaccination status.

HOW TO APPLY

Click "Apply Now".

Attachments can be uploaded in .doc, .docx, .pdf, .txt or .rtf formats.

Applicants are required to submit a CV and Cover Letter (max 2 pages) outlining their suitability to the role in line with the Key Selection Criteria. 

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.

Preferred candidates will be required to complete pre-employment screening, including a national police check and misconduct screening.

For more information on working with us and our recruitment process, please visit Department of Families, Fairness and Housing Victoria | Jobs (www.dffh.vic.gov.au/jobs)

Please apply to submit your interest in this position.

A position description is attached.