The Department of Communities brings together the services and functions of disability services, child protection and family support, community initiatives and regional services reform.
Communities is a nationally recognised Accredited Carer Friendly Employer through the Carers + Employers program. The program defines best practice standards by creating a carer friendly workplace, enabling staff to balance work and care, while continuing to contribute to the wellbeing of individuals, families and the community.
Enhance your practice depth, grow your career and make a real impact in the Goldfields!
If you're looking for a role that offers purpose, adventure, and the chance to make a real impact, the Goldfields is calling. Please only consider applying for this pool if you have a genuine interest and ability to live and work in Leonora or Laverton.
Welcome to the Goldfields, Western Australia’s largest and most iconic region. Spanning more than 770,000 square kilometres, the Goldfields offers breathtaking landscapes, rich Aboriginal culture, and vibrant, resilient communities.
Our District supports a vast and diverse area, including regional offices, Aboriginal community facilities, and remote communities across the Ngaanyatjarra Lands, near the NT and SA borders. This is a place where no two days are the same—offering unforgettable experiences, meaningful community connections, and a truly unique outback lifestyle.
The North Team is seeking experienced Senior Child Safety Practitioners / Senior Child Safety Officers to take on a pivotal role supporting children, families, and practitioners across the regional Goldfields communities of Leonora and Laverton. We have multiple positions available in each location.
This role is ideal for a practitioner who wants to use their experience to influence practice, support colleagues, and work directly with complex cases—while staying deeply connected to the purpose of child protection work.
Exceptional Location Benefits: Working in the Goldfields comes with a generous range of incentives designed specifically for regional living, including:
- Fully furnished 3-bedroom GROH property provided free of charge, including utilities, Wi-Fi and filtered drinking water.
- Usage of a Departmental vehicle to home garage.
- Annual Leave Travel Concession (Free Pass to the Coast) take advantage of one free return trip every year for yourself and dependants, helping you stay connected with family, friends, and city getaways.
- 5 Days Commuted TOIL per Year, benefit from additional time off to support work‑life balance and reward your commitment to regional service.
- Attractive Paid Leave Allowances, access enhanced leave arrangements that recognise the unique demands and opportunities of working in remote locations. Including 4 weeks Annual Leave, 15 days Personal Leave, Bereavement Leave, 18 weeks Paid Parental Leave, Paid Public Holidays and Study Leave to support your development into qualified roles.
- District Allowance of $2,734 - $5,468 per annum for working in a regional area, helping offset the cost of living and supporting your lifestyle.
- Drive in drive out (DIDO) options may be considered.
The Role and Its Impact
As a Senior Child Safety Practitioner/Officer, you will undertake complex statutory casework across child protection, children in care, and family support, while providing specialist practice guidance within the district.
You will lead responses to serious child safety concerns, including complex assessments, investigations, and legal decision‑making under the Children and Community Services Act 2004. Through effective care planning, placement decision‑making, and consultation with colleagues, you will improve outcomes for children and strengthen practice quality across the North Team.
Working in a generalist regional team, you will experience the full spectrum of child protection practice—seeing cases through from concern to resolution and building meaningful relationships with families and services.
A key focus of the North Team is the application of the Safe and Together framework, particularly in family and domestic violence work. You will:
- Partner closely with victim‑survivors
- Support practice that keeps children safe without unnecessary removal
- Strengthen accountability for perpetrators of violence
- Contribute to culturally responsive practice, including strong engagement with Aboriginal families and services
The attached Job Description Form (JDF) provides more information about the position. For further information we encourage you to contact Abby Lee, Team Manager Child Safety, on (08) 6215 1224.
There are currently 3 permanent positions 011488 / 009522 / 012219 available for immediate filling.
Suitable applicants will be placed in a pool from which appointments will be made for this or similar future vacancies (fixed term or permanent) that arise within the next 12 months across the Department of Communities.
Which Position Do I Apply For?
Under our Child Protection Workforce Model, priority will be given to qualified applicants in the first instance to maintain a qualified workforce. Should a qualified applicant not be identified then this selection process will be used to fill the vacancy.
If you have a Bachelors degree in Social Work, Psychology or relevant human services area, please apply for the Senior Child Safety Practitioner position. Refer to our website for information about the qualification requirements.
If you do not hold an approved qualification, please apply for the Senior Child Safety Officer position.
Join the Department of Communities
Apply online by clicking the ‘Apply for Job’ button (above and below) and provide the following documents in Word or PDF format only:
- A two [2] page written application addressing all the Essential Work Related Requirements (Selection Criteria) as stated on the JDF of the position you are applying for (see 'Which position do I apply for?' section above)
- A copy of your degree certificate and academic transcript (plus unit descriptors and/or overseas qualification assessment if applicable).
- A copy of all qualification/s (regardless of the relevance to the role) as specified in your application or resume/CV (if applicable).
- An application form (for hard copy applications only).
For technical difficulties while applying online, general recruitment enquiries, or to request any document in an alternative format, please contact Margia, Human Resources Advisor on 0466 171 398 or via email on [email protected].
We can also be contacted via the National Relay Service on the following numbers:
TTY/voice calls - 133 677
Speak & Listen - 1300 555 727
SMS relay - 0423 677 767
Integrity and Honesty
The public sector is built on a strong foundation of integrity where employees act ethically, and public sector bodies promote and maintain integrity.
In line with Communities policies, applicants may be asked for consent to undergo criminal record screening and integrity checks during the application process. For more information on these requirements, click here.
Equity and Diversity
Communities welcome applications from people from a diverse range of backgrounds and lived experiences, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, people with disability, people with diverse sexualities and genders, youth, women, and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
Please let us know if there are adjustments we can make to allow you to fully participate in the application and interview process, as well as in the workplace. Please contact Margia Munoz, Human Resources Advisor on 0466 171 398 or via email on [email protected].
If you are an Aboriginal person who would like assistance with your application, please contact Jobs and Skills WA on 13 64 64.
Lodgement is system generated. Any emailed applications or late submissions on or after 4:00pm will not be accepted.
Attachments:
- Application Form
- Child Protection Qualification Framework
