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 passionate about social justice and the rights of children in Victoria.

A challenging and rewarding career

Child protection work is rewarding, fulfilling, challenging and demanding. We’re looking for professionals who are confident and resilient, with a strong sense of social justice. You must be empathetic and open to change when working collaboratively with families and other professionals. While there is a need for therapy-based skills, a great deal of case work involves statutory investigation, analysis and critical thinking.

Starting your career journey

The Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH) is committed to developing your professional career. As a new practitioner, you will benefit from specifically developed training programs and on the job learning. A culture of continuous learning and feedback is fostered to ensure you continue to grow professionally.

As a child protection practitioner, you’ll be committing to a future where you can make meaningful change to the lives of children. In this statutory role, your social work or welfare qualifications will be welcomed into a supportive and hard-working team who share a common goal.

Who you'll work with

You’ll work with colleagues, families, doctors, legal experts, educators and other professionals and build networks across communities. You will acquire an excellent grounding across the child and family services system, while managing a variety of complex matters. The work is diverse and ever-changing.

Supervision

Professional supervision is essential in ensuring people feel supported and continue to grow. There is a structured supervision framework based upon the work on significant global research and aims to ensure practitioners become more confident, secure and supported in the role. It aims to increase job satisfaction and focuses on the clients, the work and employing the principles of reflective practice.

The Department of Families, Fairness and Housing is committed to developing your professional career through our student placement and employment programs, on-the-job training, support, and ongoing supervision.

Changing careers or returning to work

While you need to have completed and hold accredited or relevant qualifications to apply for a position as a CPP3 Child Protection Practitioner or above, if you don't have the required qualifications you may want to consider applying for a CPP2 Child Protection Practice Support role.

If you already have experience in an associated area, such as social work, psychology or welfare, then you can take your career to the next level as a child protection practitioner. DFFH will support you with access to a broad range of professional development, training and education programs to help you develop your career.

If you're a practitioner returning to work, child protection can offer you the flexibility of shorter working weeks and how you manage your hours.

There has been significant work to implement programs that strengthen the mental health of the workforce and build a safe and secure workplace.

The child protection practitioner wellbeing program offers 24/7 employee wellbeing programs, access to peer support networks, resilience training, mentoring and specialist support.