There are over 2,500 frontline practitioners employed in the Victorian Child Protection program across 17 areas and statewide services. The predominant qualification groups for practitioners are social work, welfare work and psychology.
Professionals employed in the Child Protection program are part of the Victorian Public Service. Child protection practitioners are professional officers who have a distinct classification, CPP. The CPP classification has five levels, CPP3 being the entry level for those who undertake a case management role with children and families. The classification and roles for each level are outlined below.
Case practice support worker CPP2
Case practice support workers are integral to the Child Protection program. The role involves case support tasks such as facilitating contact visits, transporting children to services and other case support duties such as:
- observing and assessing interaction between children and family members
- providing reports to Child Protection case managers to assess and plan for the child’s best interests.
The case practice support workers are managed by a team manager in contact and transport teams. However, in some areas case practice support workers form part of the phase-based teams.
Child protection practitioner CPP3
Child protection practitioners are the entry level position to Child Protection. The role works with children who are at risk of abuse or neglect, manage cases and work with other professionals in the community to assess reports of child abuse and neglect. This role reports to the senior child protection practitioner or team manager in intake and After-Hours Service
The role includes:
- undertaking risk assessment, including assessment and investigation of reports to child protection
- assessing children and young people who need protection
- planning, implementing and reviewing case plans and case work tasks to address identified risks
- coordinating and negotiating services for children and young people
- providing or arranging practical and emotional support to children, young people and families
- working in collaboration with families, CSOs, ACCOs and professionals to develop and implement effective plans for children
- where necessary, taking matters to the Children’s Court of Victoria to ensure the safety of children or young people and supervising orders made by the Children's Court.
Child protection advanced practitioner CPP4
The advanced child protection practitioner works with more complex cases and situations. The role undertakes case management and assesses reports of alleged abuse and neglect of children and young people, investigations and development of plans to ensure the safety and wellbeing of children and young people, this may include taking matters to court. This role reports to the senior child protection practitioner or team manager in intake and After-Hours Service.
Advanced child protection practitioner CPP4 (community based)
The advanced child protection practitioner (community based) is an outposted child protection position that works as a part of a team within The Orange Door in the local area. The role reports to the team manager community based. The role works collaboratively with services to support earlier and more effective intervention to vulnerable children, young people and their families and, where required, support the engagement of families with services. The role contributes to the development and delivery of community education to agencies regarding child protection statutory processes and responsibilities.
Senior child protection practitioner CPP5.1
Senior child protection practitioners are responsible for supporting and developing child protection practitioners while demonstrating expertise through case practice, working collaboratively with the team manager to strengthen case practice, provide effective service delivery and support other practitioners. The role reports to the team manager and has formal supervision responsibility of up to three CPP3/4 practitioners. Senior child protection practitioners (excluding court officers) carry a caseload commensurate with their other duties.
Senior child protection practitioner (court officer) CPP5.1
The senior child protection practitioner (court officer) assists practitioners at court by providing timely and appropriate legal advice regarding matters within the children’s court. The role does not involve formal supervisory responsibility however provides live supervision, mentoring and support to practitioners at court. The court officer facilitates court skills training as required. The role reports to the deputy area operations manager or area operations manager.
Senior child protection practitioner (community based) CPP5.1
The senior child protection practitioner (community based) is an outposted role that works as part of a team from The Orange Door in the local area. The role works collaboratively with services to support earlier and more effective intervention to vulnerable children, young people and their families and, where required, support their engagement with services. The role includes work with families of unborn children, when there is a high likelihood of Child Protection intervention post birth and contribute to the development and delivery of community education to agencies regarding child protection statutory processes and responsibilities. The role reports to the team manager (community based).
Senior child protection practitioner CPP5.1 (interstate liaison officer) CPP5.1
The senior child protection practitioner (interstate liaison officer) role is responsible for liaising with interstate and international child protection agencies to support the care and protection of children who are subject to child protection intervention in one jurisdiction but reside in a placement in another. Practitioners require an operational and strategic approach to ensure highly responsive, specialist advice and consultation across Victorian and interstate Child Protection agencies to promote safeguarding and coordinated service delivery for children and families across jurisdictions. Interstate liaison officers are required to establish relationships with key stakeholders and liaise directly with external government agencies to effectively implement the Interstate Child Protection Protocol October 2021. The role works collaboratively with services to support effective intervention to vulnerable children, young people and their families and, where required, support the engagement of families with services. The role reports to the team manager (interstate liaison).
Team manager CPP5.2
The team manager is responsible for service delivery, managing resources and budget, cases awaiting allocation and teams of practitioners. The role has formal delegation to endorse and review case plans to bring about the changes necessary to ensure the safety, stability and development of children and young people and to promote the achievement of case plan objectives within specified timeframes. The role works collaboratively with the senior child protection practitioners to strengthen case practice, provide effective service delivery and to support practitioners.
The team manager reports to the deputy area operations manager or area operations manager and is responsible for leading a team of staff, comprising child protection practitioners (CPP3), advanced child protection practitioners (CPP4) and senior child protection practitioners (CPP5.1).
The team manager in intake and after-hours services have a slightly different team structure. The role reports to the deputy area operations manager and is responsible for leading a team of staff comprising of CPP3/4 and senior child protection practitioners.
Team manager (community based) CPP5.2
The role of Team manager (community based) is an out-posted Child Protection position that works as a part of a team within The Orange Door in the local area. The Team Manager will report to the Deputy Area Operations Manager or Area Operations Manager and will lead a team of senior child protection practitioners (community based) in the local area.
The role works collaboratively with services to support earlier and more effective intervention to vulnerable children, young people and their families and, where required, support the engagement of families with services. The role contributes to the development and delivery of community education to agencies regarding child protection statutory processes and responsibilities.
Practice leader CPP5.2
Practice leaders are responsible for providing expert case advice and leadership, supporting and developing child protection practitioners in the integration of theory and practice while demonstrating expertise through case management. The role supports practice to develop plans to bring about the changes necessary to ensure the safety, stability and development of children and young people and promotes the achievement of case plan objectives within specified timeframes. This role reports to the principal practitioner and includes a case carrying component commensurate with other responsibilities.
Aboriginal family led decision making (AFLDM) CPP5.2
The AFLDM role works collaboratively with practitioners and teams to strengthen case practice with Aboriginal children and families, to provide effective service delivery and to support other practitioners. This role is responsible for:
- co-convening Aboriginal family led decision making meetings for Aboriginal clients to develop plans to bring about the changes necessary to ensure the safety, stability and development of Aboriginal children and young people
- promoting the achievement of case plan objectives within specified timeframes
- working in partnership with the community co-convenor and Aboriginal organisations in providing community education, training and consultation for Child Protection staff and Aboriginal agency staff.
The role reports to the deputy area operations manager, area operations manager or child protection director. The role includes a case carrying component commensurate with other responsibilities.
Sexual exploitation practice leader (SEPL) CPP5.2
The SEPL role plays a critical role in the protection of children and young people from sexual exploitation. The role is responsible for providing expert practice advice and leadership, supporting and developing child protection practitioners and other key partners in the integration of theory and practice. The role demonstrates expertise through case management interventions, systems development and relationship building, and bringing about the changes necessary to ensure the safety, stability and development of children and young people. A key purpose of this role is to more effectively identify children at risk of sexual exploitation, work with Victoria Police to prevent it, and support young people to recover. This role reports to the principal practitioner. The role includes a case carrying component commensurate with other responsibilities.
Practice leader navigator CPP5.2
The practice leader navigator role is dedicated to the Family Preservation and Reunification Response. The role supports activation of the response at the right time, with the right people and in the right place to promote and protect the rights and best interests of children and young people. The role provides a unique opportunity to make a positive difference in the lives of vulnerable children and families and has a strong focus to develop a connected and coordinated practice culture and mindset shift of Response practitioners within child and family services and child protection practitioners working together. This role reports to the deputy area operations manager or area operations manager. The role includes a case carrying component commensurate with other responsibilities.
Practice leader Family Drug Treatment Court (FDTC) and Marram-Ngala Ganbu (MNG) CPP5.2
This role supports the Family Drug Treatment Court program which seeks to assist parents to address their drug and alcohol abuse to enable reunification with their children. The program provides intensive case management and therapeutic intervention for parents and is chaired by a Children’s Court Magistrate.
This role also supports the Marram-Ngala Ganbu (MNG), a Koori Family Hearing Day working to improve outcomes for Koori families in Child Protection. MNG seeks to provide a more effective, culturally appropriate, and just response for families through a court process that enables greater participation by family members and culturally informed decisions.
The role works closely with child protection practitioners, legal practitioners, court staff and Magistrates. The practice leader assists the child protection workforce to prepare matters for court hearings and is a key voice of the department in court when matters are being heard. The role reports to the deputy area operations manager or area operations manager. The role includes a case carrying component commensurate with other responsibilities.
Deputy area operations manager CPP6.1
The deputy area operations manager is responsible for operational management across the local area including financial, budget, HR and performance management of staff, high profile case reviews and completion of ministerial briefings. The position leads practice to develop plans to bring about the changes necessary to ensure the safety, stability and development of children and young people and to promote the achievement of case plan objectives within specified timeframes. The position works collaboratively with key internal and external stakeholders and directly supervises the child protection team managers, AFLDMs and court officers. The role reports to either the area operations manager or the child protection director.
Principal practitioner CPP6.2
The role of the principal practitioner is to strengthen the skills and knowledge of child protection practitioners and build a child-focused family-centred practice culture that integrates evidence from research and critical reflection. The role undertakes specialist assessments and interventions, case reviews, appeals and maintains case records, visits children, their parents, families and carers, and other professionals involved with clients of Child Protection. The role provides high level expertise, secondary consultation and live supervision, facilitates staff mentoring and practice development. The role provides leadership in the implementation of continuous improvement strategies based on clinical best practice. The role directly supervises the practice leaders. This role reports to the child protection director. The principal practitioner carries a caseload commensurate with their other duties.
Area operations manager CPP6.2
The area operations manager supports the operational management across the local area including financial, budget resources, performance management, case reviews and briefings. The role supports practice to develop plans and to support the area to ensure the safety, stability and development of children and young people. The role has direct supervisory responsibilities which can include the deputy area operations managers, team managers or practice leadership roles. This role reports to the child protection director.
Child protection scheduler CYF2
The scheduler is responsible for scheduling court ordered supervised contact and transportation of children to and from their family contact. This role reports to the team manager.
Statewide scheduling coordinator CYF5
The statewide scheduling coordinator is responsible for undertaking efficient and effective rostering and workforce management across the range of programs that make up the statewide after-hours service ensuring effective service delivery that meets departmental performance requirements and the needs of vulnerable children and their families. The position works closely with the area operations manager and the deputy area operations manager to develop a statewide after-hours roster that meets after hours child protection demand.
To ensure timely assessment of reports, practitioners may function in teams assigned specific tasks. The primary teams and their functions are listed below.
Intake
Intake teams receive reports from members of the community regarding children that might be at risk. Intake teams will assess these reports and decide if further investigation is required and provide advice to the people who make these reports and where appropriate help families to access support services. Intake teams:
- receive reports about children when there is concern that they need protection
- attend intake case conference, where required
- conduct an initial risk assessment based on report details
- make follow-up phone calls with professionals to verify and gather information in relation to reports
- refer cases, where applicable, to community service organisations
- seek advice and guidance from relevant Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) to inform risk assessment
Investigation and response
Investigation and response teams investigate reports that require a protective intervention by developing an investigation plan, speaking with children and families and conducting a risk assessment. Responsibilities of investigation and response teams include:
- directly investigating reports of alleged child maltreatment
- assessing likelihood of harm to child
- working closely with the Aboriginal Specialist Consultation and Advice Service (ACSASS) to engage with families in a culturally sensitive way
- establishing whether abuse allegations are substantiated
- working with a family for a few months (or for an extended period where required and authorised) after reporting to make a more comprehensive assessment, develop a community plan or effect a referral to a community service organisation,
- determining if Children's Court action is required. If so, working with the legal team and the team manager to initiate legal intervention and prepare reports for the court.
Case management
Case management teams work with children and young people on a protection order. This includes continual assessment of their safety and wellbeing and working with care teams to manage the day-to-day needs and best interests of child and young people. Responsibilities of case management teams include:
- initiating and supervising Children's Court protection orders
- continually assessing the ongoing risk to the child or young person by developing and implementing case plans
- meeting court requirements, which may include writing reports, acting as an applicant in the Children's Court and giving evidence
- developing reunification plans and supervising access
- where required, helping to organise a stable out-of-home care placement
- working with ACCOs to ensure Aboriginal children remain connected to their culture and receive appropriate services
- developing networks with community service organisations and providing some community education to the CSO sector
- negotiating the transfer of case management to community agencies.
Contracted case management
Contracted case management teams manage children and young people where case management functions have been contracted to a community service organisation. Responsibilities of contracted case management teams include:
- monitoring and reviewing the implementation of case plans
- providing guidance to agencies, including education on statutory processes and responsibilities
- maintaining statutory responsibilities for all cases, for example, case planning, reviews, court applications and other legislated requirements.
After Hours Child Protection Services
The After-Hours Child Protection Service is a state-wide service based in metropolitan Melbourne and in some areas of regional Victoria. This service responds to and manages all urgent child protection matters outside business hours. This includes on weekends or public holidays.
The After-Hours Child Protection Service receives and assesses new reports of potential child abuse or neglect and conducts urgent visits to assess the risk and safety of a child. It operates on a rotating roster that includes day, afternoon and night shifts. Members of this team are eligible for a standby (on-call) allowance for each time period they are on standby, regardless of whether they are called out on an outreach visit. Members of the team are also eligible for additional overtime rates for hours worked when called out on outreach visits. Responsibilities of After-Hours teams include:
- responding to reports about children where there is concern that they need protection.
- gathering detailed information and negotiate to manage reports.
- coordinating, managing and directly responding with telephone advice.
- beginning investigations and developing plans to ensure the safety and wellbeing of children and young people.
- visiting children or families in urgent cases where harm or likelihood of harm requires immediate child protection involvement.
- managing requests from divisions for out-of-hours tasks for children who are already subject to child protection intervention.
- transferring new reports to the relevant division on the next working day.
- providing an after-hours placement function for children and young people requiring out of home placement.