Roles and responsibilities

The roles and responsibilities of staff at a child safety service centre contribute to the delivery of high quality child protection services to children, young people and their families.

Staff involved can include:

Child Safety Officer

Provides statutory child protection services to children, young people and their families by:

  • undertaking the roles of an authorised officer under the Child Protection Act 1999
  • applying relevant legislation, delegations, policies and quality standards in accordance with our Child Safety Practice Manual
  • working collaboratively with foster and kinship carers, the community, government and non-government service providers.

Child Safety Service Centre Manager

Leads and manages by:

  • implementing quality business and practice systems and standards
  • overseeing that child protection services that are provided comply with relevant legislation, delegations, policies, quality standards and our Child Safety Practice Manual
  • establishing enduring productive partnerships with foster and kinship carers, the community, the public and non-government sectors
  • overseeing ongoing professional development and management of staff
  • managing the department's ongoing program of quality improvement.

Child Safety Support Officer

Supports the provision of child protection services to children, young people and their families by:

  • assisting Child Safety Officers in their application of relevant legislation, policies and procedures
  • working collaboratively with foster and kinship carers, the community, government and non-government service providers.

Court Coordinator

Represents the Director-General in court matters by advising and consulting with other departmental officers. The Court Coordinator promotes a high standard of service to children, young people and their families in relation to court matters and the Children Services Tribunal.

Family Group Meeting Convenor

Delegated under the Child Protection Act 1999 to convene family group meetings. The convenor does not have any direct responsibility or line management responsibility for the child, young person or their family. The convenor plans, facilitates and records the case plan developed at a family group meeting.

Senior Practitioner

Supports and monitors the quality of our child protection services provided to children, young people and their families and the community by:

  • providing expert knowledge of child protection practice
  • mentoring and developing the practice skills and knowledge of Child Safety Officers, Child Safety Support Officers and Team Leaders
  • monitoring and facilitating the implementation of relevant legislation, delegations, policies, quality standards and the Child Safety Practice Manual
  • managing the ongoing improvement of child protection practice
  • participating in, or conducting reviews of, complex or sensitive cases.

Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect (SCAN) Coordinator

Organises the effective functioning of the SCAN Team who plan and coordinate the delivery of services to children and young people in need of protection.

Team Leader

Provides leadership and supervision to a team of departmental officers in the delivery of collaborative frontline child protection services to children, young people and their families and communities by overseeing that the child protection services delivered comply with legislation, delegations, policies, quality standards and the Child Safety Practice Manual.