Meet our people

Working as a Child Safety Officer is perhaps the most rewarding career choice you can make if you’ve studied social work, human services or psychology.

For Brigitte, it’s about working with families who are vulnerable or in crisis. It’s about helping parents overcome their hardships by focussing on their strengths so their children can grow up in stable and loving homes.

“I became a Child Safety Officer because I saw it as a way to keep kids safe and affect real change,” says Brigitte.

“There can be challenges, but the support you get from your team is everything. They help you learn, and they have your back.

“Every day, you are achieving something. Every day, you are learning something, and every day is a chance to do good.”

Our Child Safety Officers all have one thing in common — they aspire to make meaningful change in the lives of vulnerable children and young people.

For Ashlii, it’s about hearing what the kids need.

“Growing up, I was a child in care, and that experience allows me to see the importance of involving kids in the conversation,” says Ashlii.

“It's a privilege to be involved in someone's life and showing them that people are willing to walk alongside them, and that I will listen and honour their story.

“It can be hard, but you get to help some of our most vulnerable people and show them some light.”

Children and young people are the most vulnerable people in our society. If you were presented with an opportunity to help keep them safe, what would you do?

For Luke, working as a Child Safety Officer with young people means hearing their voice and giving them the power to be heard.

“Hope is one of the biggest things for these kids,” says Luke.

“Do more for them, don’t just do enough. They want someone to get behind them and weather the storm with them.

“All I want for them is to have the best opportunity.”

Child protection is a career that grows with you. When you work for our department, you’ll always be part of a supportive team and receive quality supervision and training.

For Lucy, it’s about learning how to hone your skills.

“Communication is key. It’s about the relationships you build with children, families and colleagues,” says Lucy.

“You're not going to know everything right off the bat and that's okay. We have resources and a close-knit team who are here to support you.

“This role provides you the opportunity to be resilient, learn how to juggle priorities and hone your skills.”

We want children to grow up safe and connected to identity, kin and culture.

Veronica always wanted to work with Indigenous families.

“Culture is an important part of what I bring to the table. Culture is everything, it’s who I am, and I am happy and proud to be black,” says Veronica.

“Identity is so important for a child’s wellbeing, but we need safety within that culture. It’s about working with the families, extended families and community, and having the conversation.”

For Veronica, it’s about respect, honesty and listening to their side of the story.

“There’s no us or them, we all work together. We’re all here to keep kids safe, no matter what colour we are.”