Child protection jobs - supporting our workforce

The Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH) promotes diversity and equal opportunity in employment. We are committed to a more diverse workforce. We’ll continue to attract the most capable people to build an exceptional, diverse and culturally safe workforce. We are building an inclusive workplace that embraces respect, diversity and difference.

All jobs can be worked flexibly, and we actively encourage job applications from Aboriginal people, people living with disability, LGBTIQA+ and people from varied cultural backgrounds.

Professional development

The department has a dedicated Office of Professional Practice which provides practice leadership and development, fosters continuous improvement in service delivery and encourages practice excellence among Victorian health and human service professionals. This includes design and delivery of tailored professional learning and development for our frontline staff.

Practice Induction Program (PIP)

The Practice Induction Program (PIP) for Child Protection Practitioners (CPP3-6) provides new staff to the child protection program with the necessary practice knowledge and skills they require as they commence their careers in child protection.

In this 5-week program, practitioners will be introduced to the broad concepts relevant to child protection practice both at a system level and for individual practitioners, then moves through more detailed subjects relating to working with clients, practice frameworks, court practice and organisational systems and processes.

The PIP will provide opportunities to practice skills and learn from guest speakers and presenters into the program, with the aim to support new practitioners to build confidence and competence in commencing their careers in child protection.

Delivery methods include:

• Live face-to-face – facilitated delivery sessions at 50 Lonsdale, Melbourne.
• Live online – live presentation delivered online.
• Live guest presentations – live face-to-face delivery at 50 Lonsdale St, Melbourne.
• eLearn – e-learns completed either at 50 Lonsdale St or on remote learning days.
• Activity – group activity conducted at 50 Lonsdale St, Melbourne.

Ongoing training and development

• targeted professional development and learning requirements child protection
• leadership capability and professional development for the child protection workforce
• comprehensive suite of face-to-face and online courses related to child protection, cultural responsiveness and culturally safe practices, family and domestic violence, disability services
• job opportunities of six months or less are advertised on the department's internal jobs board, and we encourage all our employees to apply. They give you the opportunity to take on new challenges and learn new skills and gain more experience.

Wellbeing

At the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing, we prioritise the wellbeing of our employees. We offer a variety of supports and flexible working arrangements to help you achieve a healthy work-life balance.

Employee wellbeing and support program

Our Employee wellbeing and support program, offered by Converge International, provides free and confidential services to employees with some services extending to immediate family members. The wellbeing program provides access to the health and wellbeing portal to explore resources focused on physical and psychological wellbeing, tools, and strategies to address a range of work-related and personal issues, including:

• employee assistance
• career support
• legal advice
• conflict resolution
• financial guidance
• nutrition and lifestyle advice
• a dedicated coaching service is also available for people managers and leaders.

Specialised wellbeing programs

• Child Protection Wellbeing Program (CPWP): Tailored support for child protection staff, offering individual counselling, group-based wellbeing support, critical debriefing, training, and access to webinars and podcasts.
• Child Protection Health Program (CPHP): Provides Victorian Child Protection Practitioners with up to 6 funded, face-to-face counselling sessions per issue, per year, along with free confidential advice and referrals to accredited health providers.
• Aboriginal social and emotional wellbeing program: A free, confidential service offered by the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service (VAHS) for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff, focusing on culturally safe support for mental health and healing.