Job Summary A fixed term, 1 year and 2 month child safety manager role is available in the Department of Education from 23 November 2026 until 7 January 2028. The manager of the Child Safety Unit will lead a team to support schools and department business areas with expert policy advice, guidance and training to create a culture of child safety in schools and the department and to meet the Child Safe Standards.

About the Department The department provides a wide range of learning and development support and services.

The department provides policy leadership, plans for the future of education in Victoria and leads key cross-sector collaboration. The department plays an important system steward role by providing support, guidance, oversight and assurance across early childhood and school education systems, as well as directly providing school education and 50 new early learning centres.

About the Division

Wellbeing, Health and Engagement Division (WHED)

WHED leads the department's efforts to support student wellbeing, health, engagement and inclusion. This includes supporting:

- schools to create and uphold safe, inclusive and equitable school environments and prevent and respond to family violence and child abuse
- student health, including promoting physical activity and healthy eating, enabling access to health services and supporting students with health conditions
- student mental health and wellbeing, including positive mental health promotion and building mental health capability, through delivery of school mental health reforms
- student engagement with school, including promoting attendance and providing targeted support for vulnerable and disengaged students.

Family Violence and Child Safety Branch The Family Violence and Child Safety Branch leads the department's work on family violence prevention and response in schools, LGBTIQA+ inclusion, prevention of child abuse, bullying prevention and response and supporting wellbeing workforces in the education system. Key responsibilities and functions include:

- Supporting schools and corporate business areas with guidance and training to create a culture of child safety and to meet the Child Protected Standards
- Administering the National Student Wellbeing Program and Special Religious Instruction
- Supporting schools through the Safe Schools team to create a safe and inclusive environment for LGBTIQA+ students




- Leading the anti-bullying policy and supporting students to be safe online
- Leading implementation of the Respectful Relationships initiative in schools and early childhood settings to create a culture of gender equality and respect
- Leading implementation of the information sharing and family violence reforms across education, including building capacity across the department and engagement with whole of government family violence reform agenda.

Child Safety Unit The Child Safety Unit sits within the Family Violence and Child Safety branch and leads policy and capability building to support schools and the department to create child safe environments where all children feel safe and are safe. The team develops policy, guidance and training to supports schools and the department to comply with the Child Safe Standards and respond to child abuse.

The team works across the department and government, peak education sector bodies, and key school and early childhood stakeholders to contribute to the department's work to safeguard students in Victorian schools.

About the Role

This role provides an exciting opportunity for an individual with strong leadership and people management skills to lead a team of policy advisors to support schools and the department to create child safe environments where all children feel safe and are safe.

This role will also work collaboratively with the broader leadership team in a branch with a welcoming culture.

Experience and skills leading a team, policy and project management, stakeholder management, problem solving and government procurement processes are crucial to being successful in this role.

The Manager will lead the Child Safety team to:

- maintain a positive culture where people are supported to thrive and deliver their best work
- develop and provide expert advice on child safety policy, guidance and training
- develop and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders across the department and externally
- produce high-quality accurate written work,



including presentations, reports and briefings
- work closely with other teams in the branch and across the department on child safety and other related areas

The role may also be required to contribute to other priority projects across the wider division as required.

Attributes

Strong experience and skills in leading and managing people, supporting a positive culture, policy and project management, strategic planning, stakeholder management, problem solving and government procurement processes are a crucial part of this role.

Desirable Qualifications and Experience

Essential: Relevant tertiary qualification in education, social policy or related field.

An understanding of Victorian school education settings and the Victorian Child Safe Standards is desirable.

Further Information For more details regarding this position please see attached position description for the capabilities to address in application.

To apply, please submit a CV and cover letter (max 3 pages) addressing the key selection criteria as outlined the attached position description.

The department values diversity and inclusion in all forms - gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQA+, disability and neurodiversity. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. For more information about our work, working for the Department, diversity and inclusion, and our employment conditions visit the Department website and our Diversity and Inclusion page

Applicants requiring adjustments can contact the nominated contact person.

Information about the Department of Education's operations and employment conditions can be located at www.education.vic.gov.au.

For further information pertaining to the role, please contact Tara Dalton [email protected]

Preferred applicants may be required to complete a police check and may be subject to other pre-employment checks. Information provided to the Department of Education will be treated in the strictest confidence.

Please let us know via phone or email if you require any adjustments to ensure your full participation in the recruitment process or if you need the ad or any attachments in an accessible format (e.g large print) due to any viewing difficulties or other accessibility requirements.

Applications close 11:59pm on 25th September 2026

📌 Manager Child Safety (CBD)
🏢 Department Of Education
📍 CBD