Child Protection Practice SpecialistKey position information

Job title: Child Protection Practice Specialist

Business unit: Policy and Advocacy

Location: Sydney, NSW

Reports to: Director, Policy and Advocacy

Status: Fixed Term / Full Time (35 hours / week)

Delegation NIL

Direct reports: NIL

Positionrequirements

- Tertiary qualifications in social work, psychology, or a related human services field.
- Extensive experience in child protection or statutory child welfare practice.
- Demonstrated expertise in assessment frameworks, decision-making tools, and risk identification in child protection.
- Demonstrated skills in project management, stakeholder engagement and Sound knowledge of the Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Act 1998 (NSW) and related legal and policy frameworks.
- This is an identified position for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People authorised under Section 14(d) of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977.

About AbSec

Our vision is that all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people are looked after in safe, thriving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and communities, raised strong in spirit and identity, with every opportunity for lifelong wellbeing and connection to culture, and surrounded by holistic supports. In working towards this vision, we are guided by these principles:

- Acknowledging and respecting the diversity and knowledge of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
- Acting with professionalism and integrity in striving for quality,



culturally responsive services and supports for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and communities.
- Underpinning the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to develop our own processes and systems for our communities, particularly in meeting the needs of our children, young people, families and carers.
- Being holistic, integrated and solutions-focused through Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander control in delivering outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, young people, families and communities.
- Committing to a future that empowers Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and communities, representing our communities, and the agencies there to serve them, with transparency and drive.

Position purpose

The Child Protection Practice Specialist provides high-level expertise, advice and leadership in child protection practice, with a particular focus on contributing to the reform and improvement of the Child Protection Assessment Project (CPAP) and establishing a governance structure to monitor implementation. The role supports the development of a new approach to investigation, assessment and decision making by working collaboratively with stakeholders across DCJ,



Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs), Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, sector partners and academic experts to ensure reforms are practical, effective and aligned with best practice in child safety and wellbeing.

Function Accountabilities

- Strategic Provide expert advice and high-level input into the design, review and reform of the Child Protection Assessment Project (CPAP) to ensure it reflects evidenceinformed and culturally protected practice.
- Build strong collaborative relationships with DCJ, ALS, ACCOs, sector partners, academic experts and community members with lived and living experience to influence and shape child protection reform initiatives.
- Contribute to the strategic positioning of AbSec as a leader in culturally responsive child protection practice and policy development.
- Develop an approach to support the continued implementation of supported Family is Culture (FIC) recommendations.
- Operational Undertake research, practice reviews and policy development and analysis to inform the development of related reforms.
- Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to ensure reform initiatives are culturally responsive, operationally viable, and practically applicable for practitioners.
- Lead and participate in working groups, consultations and co-design initiatives to ensure practitioner voice and lived experience are embedded in framework development.
- Develop policy and practice guidance based on stakeholder feedback.
- Collaborate with key stake

📌 The Child Protection Practice Specialist (Sydney)
🏢 AbSec - NSW Child, Family and Community Peak Aboriginal
📍 Sydney