Department for Child Protection WA

there is no typical day in child protection work.  you may had a day planned and if it goes to plan you are lucky ..... things happen that are unplanned and your day can  just change.
Responsibilities are case management of children and young people in care, writing reports including court reports, investigating allegations of child abuse, interviewing children and families, liaising and building relationships with community such as police and schools.
You have the opportunity to learn something new everyday, I grabbed those opportunities as they arose. I learnt a lot from the way others practice and helped me further shape the way I practice as a social worker.  I also learnt a lot about myself, my strengths and my areas of development.
Management - I sometimes struggled with management as their views about the way things needed to be done some times conflicted with my professional values and beliefs.  I understand that management had a job to do.
I loved my colleagues.  I worked in a small office in country WA and so was lucky to be part of a small cohesive and supportive team.
I think the hardest part of any job working in the human services industry is leaving work at work.  It is something I think we have to force ourselves to do even though it is hard not to think about work when we go home.  
The most enjoyable part of the position for me was meeting new people building new relationships with kids, carers and birth parents.  I love the small victories ......

Working for the Department of Child Protection is a great privilege.
A typical day would entail picking/dropping off a number of the children to school then returning home to help care for the rest of the children. Other duties would include taking the young children and accompanying them at day care or venturing to one of the local parks where there's playgrounds and activities for the kids to join in on. Some days would include appointments such a dentist/hospital for check-ups and treatments as well as dedicated times for family contact in which the children in our care would spend time with their family under supervision of the Department. These duties as well as general day to day care included feeding, bathing and dressing the children were the main responsibilities taken up by Youth Workers in the home which i thoroughly enjoyed.

you would hit the ground running as soon as you got to the office responding to any phonecall or emails.  My first task would be to prioritise and plan my day.  I learned about case managing a large case load  - up to 15 clients. My co-workers were also very busy  doing the same thing.  the hardest part of the job was the lack of support and training at the start of the job.  the most enjoyable part of the job was some of the positive chanes i saw in some of the clients

This job can be rewarding and positive when outcomes are successful, however you can only perform your duties as per policies and procedures, a lot of white tape, and management can hinder decisions which can be frustrating. This job can suck the life out of any person whether it’s the families/clients or working with difficult/negative colleagues. Very important to practice self care and important to keep work seperate from your home life.

Generally good hours. I have learnt a significant amount working for child protection. Management can sometimes be vague and one sided. Cant always rely on them to support you at times of need. Has history of being a very toxic environment. Something I have experienced. Generally a rewarding job if you keep your head down and focus on the tasks opposed to the staff around you .

Biological parents sometimes hostile and abusive toward system.
Confidentiality paramount.
Caseworkers largely supportive.
I learned to be more tolerant toward others, and less judgmental.

lots of learning opportunities
good mentors
small team
small office
multi skilled staff
long days 
lots of professional development opportunities
great work culture in the office i was in

I was lucky enough to work withing this department as it offered opportunities for advancement and could be a lot of fun.
Staff were great and the people I was working for were good with information.
A good learning environment.
Ongoing training available

Knowing on a daily that I have supported a child in need has been a passion of mine working with children in care.
Working with children with the Impact of Trauma has been a eye opener for as understanding the trauma and the impact has on children is very traumazing

I thoroughly enjoyed what I learned at DCP
I thoroughly enjoyed working with my Co workers at Karratha office.

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