Job Title

Posted: 30/04/2025Closing Date: 31/05/2025Salary: $124,091.00 - $129,275.00Job Type: Permanent - Full TimeLocation: Cairns QLDJob Category: Education & TrainingMake a lasting impact in a role that demands excellence, compassion, and leadership in child and vulnerable person protection.The Catholic Diocese of Cairns is seeking a highly experienced and committed Child and Vulnerable Persons Protection Officer to join our Professional Standards and Safeguarding Office (PSSO). This is a pivotal leadership role designed to uphold and strengthen the safety, wellbeing, and dignity of children and vulnerable people across our education and community service settings.This role operates across Catholic Early Learning and Care and Centacare FNQ, with responsibilities that span policy development, staff training, case consultation, system change, and direct engagement with childrens services and community agencies. You will work at the forefront of safeguarding practice in the Diocese, ensuring alignment with the National Catholic Safeguarding Standards (NCSS), legislative frameworks, and Diocesan safeguarding policies.Why Join Centacare FNQ5 Weeks of Annual Leave - Recharge and RestorePaid Parental Leave - Because family mattersFlexible Work Arrangements - We work with youBuy Extra Leave (Up to 2 Weeks per Year)Compassionate Leave Bonus - Additional paid leave on top of the standard entitlementGift Day - Enjoy the workday after Boxing Day OffSalary Sacrificing Options - Boost your take home payReal Access to Leadership - We''re in this togetherOngoing Professional Development - Grow with usJob DescriptionWhy This Role MattersThis is not just another position it is a vital leadership post for a seasoned professional with deep expertise in child protection. You will be entrusted with building safe environments, guiding responses to complex and sensitive cases, supporting leaders and staff in times of crisis, and ensuring the integrity of safeguarding practices across multiple services.Your knowledge and actions will directly impact the wellbeing of children, families, and at-risk adults. This role requires a high level of professionalism, empathy, discretion, and sound judgement.Key ResponsibilitiesSupport the Executive Director and Catholic Early Learning and Care and Centacare FNQ staff in the area of Child ProtectionWork and collaborate with various staff to plan and develop overall preventative and risk management strategies that assist Centacare and CELC to comply with relevant legislation relating to safeguarding children and at-risk-adults.Liaise, collaborate and provide recommendations to the Senior Staff and Nominated SupervisorsAssist in the effective reporting and management of child protection matters, and the ongoing professional development of staffLiaise and collaborate with multi-disciplinary staff and locations in focusing on the wellbeing of children and at-risk-adults.Support Nominated Supervisors and staff with regard to managing and reporting child protection and wellbeing mattersProvide support and recommendations as appropriate at the disclosure and intervention stages and during investigation proceduresAssist in crisis intervention and assessment of child abuse following a report to staff.Support staff in the ongoing management of suspected or confirmed child protection casesSource and identify relevant resources to provide crisis intervention and ongoing family supportWork with leaders and nominated supervisors to develop their understanding of their own roles in the management of child protection mattersAssist services in the management of cases of child harm including risk assessment and managementContribute to organisational development and system change to ensure services can address barriers or inequities that may prevent quality service provision and a safe environmentDevelop, analyse and interpret pertinent professional reports including but not limited to child protection reporting dataDevelop and maintain awareness of relevant government and societal issues which could influence Centacare and Catholic Early Learning and Care policies and practicesCollaborate with organisation personnel to develop system wide strategies that promote the link between child wellbeing and positive outcomesContribute to development of policy and practice in the area of well-being and care of children and vulnerable adultsUndertake and implement reviews of key documents with a child protection lens (i.e. Code of Conduct)Contribute to the ongoing reviews of existing policy and procedures relevant to the position and the wellbeing of children and vulnerable adultsDevelopment and delivery of professional development for staff in relation to child protection, preventative strategies and personal safety programs.Develop, review and provide assurance regarding the quality of Child Protection training material, policies and processesRespond, develop and implement training as requested by individual schools to meet specific needs and requests made by the schoolAssisting and supporting the integration of personal safety strategies into the programsEnsure schools have access to relevant documentation and other materials in place to demonstrate their compliance with legislative requirements (i.e. Child and Youth Risk Management Strategy, Child Safety Protection Reporting Processes and Guidelines)Develop the understanding of Nominated Supervisors, Leaders and staff so that they can better discern between matters requiring mandatory reporting and matters requiring a family support responseLiaise with statutory authorities and welfare agencies regarding the management and status of child protection cases as appropriateAssist services with the criminal justice process in relation to cases of child abuseEnsure appropriate liaison and advocacy on behalf of the organisation if required with authorities including CPIU, Child Safety Services, QLD Family and Child Commission, Family and Child Connect and other relevant government, non-government and individual professionals.Monitor and maintain confidential child protection records, service consultations including but not limited to recommendations in alignment with legislated and organisational obligationsAssist staff in the use of and maintenance of the online records management programMaintain confidential records of consultationCollaborate with CELC and Centacare management in reviewing and updating online resource material and user guidesGrowth in professional competence and knowledge is pursued.Participate and engage in ongoing professional developmentMaintain knowledge and awareness of relevant issues, regulatory requirements and practicesAbout YouDesired Skills and ExperienceWe are looking for a highly experienced professional who is committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity, confidentiality, and ethical conduct in all aspects of their work. You bring a proactive, solution-focused approach and have demonstrated success working within statutory child protection or a related field.Selection CriteriaKnowledge of all areas of child harm including physical, emotional, sexual harm and the possible psychological, social and spiritual repercussions of such harm.Current and thorough knowledge of government legislation in relation to child protection.Outstanding administrative skills, including the ability to implement, monitor and adapt administrative procedures.Demonstrated high level communication skills.Demonstrated research and writing capabilities in gathering, recording and analyzing information and report writing.Ability to make sound and informed judgements around crisis management and unpredictable change.Experience in the development and presentation of training packages to staff in an adult learning environment.Mandatory Qualifications And RequirementsA current Working with Children Blue Card and Yellow card or be eligible to applyHave and maintain a satisfactory National Police CertificateMinimum bachelor''s degree, tertiary qualification relevant to the position or the equivalent experience to fulfil the position criteria as necessary to successfully carry out the duties of the positionMinimum of 3 years experience in statutory child protection work with either the QLD Police Service or Department of Child Safety, Youth or Women or an equivalent or comparative organisation or statutory body.Demonstrated experience in working with education settingsCurrent drivers licenceDemonstrated ability to liaise with schools and the wider community.A strong demonstrated commitment to the objectives, vision and ethos of Catholic EducationPromote child safety at all timesThis is a rare opportunity to join a values-based organisation where safeguarding is a central mission, not an afterthought. If you are passionate about child safety and want to use your expertise to lead, educate, and protect we want to hear from you.Please note: We reserve the right to appoint a suitable candidate prior to the closing date. #J-18808-Ljbffr