Coordinator Social Work - Team Lead Child Protection Unit
Lead our dedicated team in compassionate, trauma-informed care, while contributing best practice social work and safeguarding services.
This is an appointment for one Permanent Full Time and one Permanent Part Time (0.5 FTE) position. Job share will be considered for the right applicants.
VCID No. 720304
Position Profile
We are seeking a collaborative and values-driven leader to join our Child Protection Unit (CPU) as Coordinator Social Work. As Coordinator, you will work in partnership with a fellow Coordinator to lead the CPU social work team, providing clinical leadership and supervision, professional development and support for staff wellbeing within our complex and emotionally demanding practice environment.
Working closely with the Head of Department, multidisciplinary teams and partner agencies, you will oversee the triage and coordination of child protection referrals from inpatient, emergency department, outpatient services, and external agencies, ensuring timely, coordinated and trauma-informed care.
You will mentor Social Work staff to deliver family-centred, culturally safe and inclusive care, supporting children and young people experiencing significant child protection concerns, including sexual abuse, non-accidental injury and neglect.
Strong partnerships with the Department of Communities, WA Police and other key agencies, together with effective collaboration across multidisciplinary teams at Perth Children's Hospital, will be key to success in this role.
This role also provides an opportunity to contribute to service improvement including:
* Strengthening safeguarding pathways and escalation processes
* Advancing structured clinical supervision and reflective practice
* Improving coordination between hospital services and community providers
* Utilising service data to evaluate referral patterns, interventions and service demand
* Implementing systems and processes in response to legislative or policy changes
* Supporting workforce capability and promoting culturally safe care - particularly for Aboriginal families and culturally diverse communities.
Key responsibilities include:
* Managing a clinical workload as a Senior Social Worker.
* Working closely with medical teams, community agencies and statutory services, you will help ensure children and families receive timely, coordinated and trauma-informed care.
* Acting as a central expert resource for safeguarding issues within the hospital, supporting clinicians in navigating safeguarding processes, including documentation and referral pathways.
* Working collaboratively with medical teams in joint assessments and multidisciplinary care planning, which includes facilitating case discussions and multidisciplinary reviews to support clinical decision-making.
* Applying senior-level capability across service planning, clinical practice, workforce development, recruitment, education and quality improvement initiatives.
* Supporting compliance with mandatory reporting, safeguarding policies and legislative requirements.
* Representing the Child Protection Unit in relevant committees and policy development activities.
If you are an experienced Social Worker with strong clinical expertise in child protection, crisis intervention and child development, combined with the ability to lead and support a multidisciplinary team in complex clinical environments we encourage you to apply.
A tertiary qualification in Social Work with eligibility for full membership of the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) are required for this role.
About our Team
Based at Perth Children's Hospital (PCH), our dedicated Child Protection Unit (CPU) provides a specialist state-wide service for children aged 0-16 where concerns of abuse or neglect have been reported. Our team are recognised for the complexity of our work and the highly developed skillset required.
Our Social Work team undertakes complex risk, safety and capacity assessments, coordinating care and advocating for safe outcomes to support children and families. We work closely with medical and therapy teams, statutory agencies and community partners to ensure timely and coordinated safeguarding responses and connect children and their families with ongoing support through referral to other services and community-based resources.
We welcome your application via the 'Apply for Job' button at the bottom of this page. Your application should contain the following:
* A statement addressing the selection criteria in 2 – 3 pages maximum.
* A copy of your current CV outlining your most recent and relevant work experience.
* The name, email and contact details of two referees who can be contacted to provide a confidential report (we will contact you and seek your confirmation prior to contacting your listed referees).
* Evidence of a tertiary qualification in Social Work and eligible for full membership of the Australian Association of Social Workers or the Society of Professional Social Workers OR Evidence from the AASW of assessment of an overseas social work qualification and AASW membership eligibility.
Within the application system you will be presented with the following question. Please review the Essential and Desirable Selection Criteria outlined in the attached Job Description Form carefully when preparing your response. These questions allow you to showcase your relevant skills and experiences in detail, with a generous word limit of 500 words for your response.
* Please provide an example where you have supported or led a complex case discussion within a multi-disciplinary team.
o How did you ensure that the team balanced ethical decision making with ensuring the child's voice was heard in the process. What was the outcome?
These documents should be complete and ready to attach prior to applying online. Please ensure you allow sufficient time to complete the online application process as you will be required to answer various questions and attach your documentation.
Selection Criteria: Please see the attached Job Description Form.
Role related questions: We encourage you to contact Elizabeth Sorensen (Head of Department – Child Protection Unit) on ******@health.wa.gov.au or 08 6456 4*** with any specific questions related to this role.
Help in submitting your application: If you experience technical difficulties while applying online, please contact Employee Services on 13 44 77 for immediate assistance during business hours.
Eligibility: Australian citizenship or permanent residency is an essential requirement for applicants to be considered for permanent positions in the public sector. Fixed term and/or casual contracts can be held by individuals on visas that allow working rights within Australia.
Other Conditions: WA Health engages staff in positions of trust and responsibility. WA Health policies require applicants to undertake criminal records screening and integrity checking as part of the appointment process. Referees may also be asked to comment on an applicant's integrity and past demonstration of ethical behaviour.
This position is subject to a Western Australian Working With Children (WWC) Check. For further information please refer to the WWC website at:
WA Health is committed to eliminating all forms of discrimination in the provision of our service. We embrace diversity and strongly encourage applications from people from culturally diverse backgrounds and people with disabilities.
In addition, we are committed to growing our Aboriginal workforce as part of WA Health Aboriginal Workforce Policy. As a measure to achieve equality, Section 51 of the Equal Opportunity Act 1984 applies to this position and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are encouraged to apply.
About CAHS
The Child and Adolescent Health Service (CAHS) is proud to be the leading service provider for paediatric healthcare in Western Australia, as the State's only dedicated health service for infants, children, and young people. CAHS comprises three service areas: Perth Children's Hospital (PCH) and Neonatology, Community Health, and Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS).
With over 7000 employees, our services are delivered at PCH and King Edward Memorial Hospitals (KEMH), as well as across a network of more than 160 community clinics across the Perth metropolitan area.
For further information about the benefits of working for CAHS, please click here and for further information regarding CAHS' services, please click here
CAHS values: To achieve our vision of healthy kids, healthy communities, CAHS is committed to providing a workplace culture that is driven and shaped by our values of Compassion, Collaboration, Equity, Respect, Excellence and Accountability. During the selection process you may be assessed on your ability to fulfil the responsibilities of this position in accordance with the values. If you have any questions regarding this, please contact the person named in this advert.
Support for your interview process
CAHS is committed to ensuring that our interview process meets the access needs of all applicants. If you require any reasonable adjustments to accommodate a disability, enhance access, or support your inclusion and success during the interview, please contact the CAHS Talent Acquisition Team prior to your interview.
Lodgement is system-generated. Any submissions on, or after, 4:00 pm on the closing date will not be accepted.
LATE OR EMAIL APPLICATIONS CANNOT BE CONSIDERED.
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