Ongoing Role
The Social Services Regulator is committed to strengthening protections and rights of vulnerable Victorians accessing social services.
The Social Services Regulator is a statutory authority that was established under the Social Services Regulations Act 2021 (the Act). The Act gives effect to a comprehensive new regulatory scheme that aims to keep Victoria’s social service users safe from harms such as abuse and neglect.
The purpose of the scheme is to:
- support the safe delivery of social services
- embed a new set of Social Service standards for all service providers
- ensure service providers understand their role in protecting the rights of social service users
- define roles and responsibilities of service providers
- give the Regulator monitoring and enforcement powers to respond to risks of harm
- improve information sharing between regulators so they can identify and respond to risks of harm
- replace the framework previously overseen by the Human Services Regulator.
The scheme applies to prescribed services set out in the Social Services Regulations 2023 (Regulations). They include:
- Child protection services
- Community based child and family services
- Disability services
- Family violence services
- Homelessness services
- Out of home care services
- Secure welfare services
- Sexual assault services
- Supported residential services.
THE ROLE
As a Senior Investigations Officer, Child Safeguarding, you will be responsible for oversight of the process for triaging and assessing allegations that conduct by a carer or worker has caused or may cause harm to children. You will also be responsible for oversight of independent investigations into conduct by carers, review of final investigation reports from authorised/independent investigators relating allegations of the physical, sexual and/or emotional abuse and neglect out-of-home carers of children, and representing the Social Services Regulator at WCES and Suitability Panel hearings and pre-hearing conferences as required.
The role requires in-depth analysis, judgement and decision making to provide advice and solutions to complex issues arising in the investigation of allegations of abuse of children placed in out-of-home care.
ACCOUNTABILITIES INCLUDE
- Provide leadership and guidance to team members to achieve their potential while maximising their contribution and outcomes.
- Coordinate day to day activities, including triage and case management for the oversight of the independent investigation of allegations of conduct that has or may cause harm to children by workers or carers under the Act and the Children Youth and Families Act 2005.
- Prepare, and review, briefings on the findings of final investigation reports from authorised investigators, including investigation summary and assessment of considerations of the risk of harm to support the decision making of the Social Services Regulator.
- Prepare for and represent the Social Services Regulator at WCES and Suitability Panel pre-hearing conferences and hearings as required.
- Respond to submission requests from the panel members as required.
Please open the position description to read more.
HOW TO APPLY
Applicants are encouraged to apply online. Attachments can be uploaded in .doc, .docx, .pdf, .txt or .rtf formats.
Applicants are required to submit a CV and Cover Letter (max 2 pages) outlining their suitability to the role in line with the Key Selection Criteria.
Applicants must be an Australian Citizen, Permanent Resident or hold a valid work permit or visa. Work eligibility will be checked as part of the recruitment process.
Preferred candidates will be required to complete pre-employment screening, including a national police check and misconduct screening.
For more information on working with us and our recruitment process, please contact SSR HR at [email protected].