Program Manager

Child Protection Health Program Victoria

This successful applicant will have current or recent previous experience in the Human Services sector, ideally in the Child Protection system.

They will lead a small team, managing the day to day operations of the service including supporting the small ‘Child Protection Health Program Victoria’ (CPHPV) workforce. They will also directly support callers into the telephone based support program which gives Victoria’s over 2,000 Child Protection Practitioners (CPP) access to confidential advice, and referral to an independent, accredited health provider in their area.

CPHPV gives CPP up to 6 (six) free, face-to-face counselling sessions each year. The service is independent from the Department of Families, Fairness & Housing (DFFH) and is facilitated by Nursing & Midwifery Health Program Victoria (NMHPV). It operates Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 5.00pm.

By contacting the ‘CPHPV’ on its 1800 number, the Manager will provide CPP with free information, support and referral to independent, registered, accredited health providers.

The successful applicant will be a skilled professional with demonstrated experience in engaging, understanding and supporting those in our human services workforce who experience challenges related to their personal and professional circumstances. They will work successfully with these colleagues to assist them in sourcing the best assistance, whilst taking a profession specific approach to their engagement.

In addition, the successful applicant will have experience in the management of programs, systems and people. 

Duties & responsibilities:

Management:

• Participate in growing the partnership with the Department of Families, Fairness & Housing (DFFH) and other sector stakeholders.
• Lead and support the small CPHPV team in executing the Program’s requirements under the direction of the General Operations Manager (GOM).
• Lead stakeholder promotional activities, have oversight and management of data collection and preparation of relevant reports used to inform the field.

Clinical:

• Participate in direct consumer support including accepting and assessing calls from CPP and the CPP workforce.
• Support the CPP with a brief engagement telephone experience.
• Sensitively and safely process the CPP details to enable an effective referral to a credentialed, registered provider in their local area and make an informal referral to the provider.     
• Provide follow up phone contact with the CPP where indicated.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships and collaborative networks with relevant stakeholders including Child Protection regional offices, Child Protection Practitioners and DFFH staff where indicated.

This is in addition to community-based stakeholders and organisations such as the MBS service providers.

Qualification & experience:

• Possess a tertiary qualification in a relevant discipline such as Social Work, Community Welfare or Counselling.
• Demonstrated experience in leading groups, teams or departments within the Human Services sector.
• Demonstrated clinical experience in the Child Protection / Human Services sector and understanding of the challenges faced by the workforce. 
• Demonstrated empathy and compassion.
• Self-motivated with an ability to work autonomously.
• Demonstrated commitment to maintaining the professional status of the Child Protection workforce and maximising opportunity for health within the Child Protection community.
• Ability to engage Child Protection Practitioners authentically and effectively via a telephone service.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain collaborative pathways with stakeholders.
• Demonstrated experience in data collection.