Head of Department (Counsellor/Social worker/ Welfare Officer Lvl 5, Psychologist, Senior Psychologist) - Child Protection Counselling Service - Temp FT

Achieve Something Great 
The Child Protection Counselling Service (CPCS) position represents a significant opportunity to create meaningful and lasting impact in the lives of vulnerable children, young people, and families. The role exists to provide trauma‑informed, evidence‑based therapeutic intervention for individuals affected by child abuse, neglect, and family violence, ensuring access to specialised support during periods of substantial vulnerability and distress.

At its core, the position delivers comprehensive assessment, counselling, and case coordination for clients referred through statutory child protection pathways. By providing timely therapeutic responses, facilitating emotional recovery, and strengthening protective factors, the role actively promotes safety, stability, and wellbeing for children at risk. Through thorough clinical assessment and ongoing risk monitoring, the role enhances child safety while supporting psychological healing for children and families impacted by trauma. Therapeutic interventions contribute to the development of safer, more nurturing family environments, and collaborative work practices ensure integrated care in partnership with agencies such as child protection services, education providers, health teams, and community organisations. Early intervention delivered through this role helps reduce the long‑term effects of trauma and contributes to improved lifelong outcomes.

Within the multidisciplinary environment, the position offers specialised clinical expertise that informs joint decision‑making across child protection, health, and community sectors. The role ensures that the needs, experiences, and safety of children remain central in all planning and intervention processes. Additionally, the position contributes to ongoing service improvement through reflective practice, participation in case reviews, and engagement in quality initiatives that strengthen CPCS’s commitment to delivering best‑practice therapeutic care.Ultimately, the role is vital because it provides safety, support, and a pathway toward healing for children and families at critical moments. By delivering high‑quality therapeutic care and advocating for the wellbeing and protection of vulnerable young people, the position supports the service to achieve something great: interrupting cycles of harm and fostering safer, healthier futures. 
 

Are You the Right Fit? 
The ideal candidate for the Child Protection Counselling Service (CPCS) role brings strong clinical skills, experience working with trauma, and a commitment to improving safety and wellbeing for vulnerable children and families. Key capabilities include the ability to conduct comprehensive assessments, deliver evidence‑based therapeutic interventions, and manage risk within a child protection framework. 

Success in this role requires effective communication, the capacity to build rapport with clients, and the ability to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and external agencies. Experience in trauma‑informed practice, child protection, family violence, or work with vulnerable populations is highly valued. The role suits an individual who demonstrates emotional resilience, sound professional judgement, strong organisational skills, and dedication to reflective practice and ongoing learning. A commitment to providing compassionate, culturally responsive, and ethically grounded care is essential.


Selection Criteria 
To help us assess your suitability for the role, please tell us as much as you can about yourself in response to the questions below.