Child Protection Recruitment Process
Introduction
Child Protection Practitioners are tertiary qualified statutory professionals responsible for the safety and wellbeing of vulnerable children and youth. The department requires that all staff employed to this critical role are able to demonstrate the competencies to deliver quality child protection services by ensuring all applicants meet the key selection criteria specified in the job description.
Research has shown that when organisations use reliable and validated selection methods to recruit staff both the organisation and staff benefit. Organisations gain staff who competently perform the necessary responsibilities of the position and staff are professionally and personally satisfied in their performance and their role (Schmidt, F.L. & Hunter, J 1998).
The recruitment process for child protection practitioners (CPW2) uses a thorough and objective process to assess applicants' skills, knowledge and personal qualities (key selection criteria) to ensure they are best suited to the role.
Download Information for Applicants - Entry Level Child Protection (pdf, 87kb, 20/12/2007)
Recruitment cycle
You need to complete each of the following stages to qualify for a position of child protection practitioner:
- Meet minimum requirements
- Submit your Application
- Complete Assessment (an initial interview includes psychometric testing)
- Attend an interview
- Pass Pre-employment checks
- Selection and Offer of Employment
- Beginning Practice
The Child Protection program uses a monthly recruitment cycle to recruit entry level child protection staff. This is to ensure all new starters participate in the department's orientation program Beginning Practice in Child Protection from their first day of employment.
The recruitment process takes approximately six weeks from date of advertisement to formal offer of employment. Successful applicants are expected to commence employment on a specified date. If you are not able to commence on the specified date, please speak to the selection panel at time of interview. Note: This will not adversely affect decisions about your suitability.
Visit the Timetable of Recruitment Dates for timelines in the selection process.
Note: The Victorian Government has introduced the compulsory Working with Children Check (WWCC) for all adults who work or volunteer in child related industries. For more information about this mandatory check please visit the link above.
Vacancies
To view entry level Child Protection vacancies
Further information
If you need help or more information on the process contact our helpline.