Career Opportunities - Child Protection Scholarships 2009
Do you care about children, enjoy a challenge and strive to make a difference?
In partnership with the University of Queensland the Department of Child Safety is offering a total of 30 postgraduate scholarships to people aspiring to work in the Department as a Child Safety Officer.
- Who is eligible for a scholarship?
- Financial assistance
- Qualification and practical experience
- Employment outcome
- Benefits and incentives
- Scholarship application kit
- Further information
Who is eligible for a scholarship?
The 30 child protection scholarships will be allocated equally across the following two target groups:
15 external scholarships – ‘career change opportunity’
Postgraduate scholarships will be offered to people seeking a career change and passionate about working with children. This includes mature-aged people with years of work experience and a degree that does not meet the mandatory qualification requirements to become a Child Safety Officer. The mandatory qualification requirements include: a degree in social work, human services, or behavioural sciences. This program will be delivered over one year (two courses per semester) and requires a commitment to successfully complete two 2-week practical placements (unpaid) in a Child Safety Service Centre.
15 internal Scholarships – ‘career development opportunity’
Postgraduate scholarships will be offered to current non-frontline Department of Child Safety staff (for example, Child Safety Support Officers) seeking to progress their career and become a Child Safety Officer. Interested people who have not completed a degree will need to demonstrate extensive work experience in child protection plus some evidence of successful post-secondary study. This program will be delivered over two years (one course per semester) and requires a commitment to successfully complete two 2-week practical placements in a Child Safety Service Centre (outside of their normal working environment).
Financial assistance
For successful 2009 applicants, the scholarship will cover full tuition fees, travel and accommodation expenses associated with attending residential schools at the University of Queensland.
Qualification and practical experience
Successful applicants will complete a Graduate Certificate in Human Services (Child Protection). University study will be undertaken in conjunction with a work experience program at a Child Safety Service Centre where scholarship holders will receive ongoing mentoring support. This will allow the scholarship holders to gain a better understanding of the work that we do and to build on their knowledge and skills.
Testimonial
My placement in a Child Safety Service Centre confirmed my commitment to child protection and my ability to work in challenging situations. It also enabled me to learn more about the department and how the work operates.
Employment outcome
Successful graduates of the 2009 scholarship program who meet all other eligibility requirements will be offered employment as a Child Safety Officer.
Child Safety Officers earn between $46,071 and $67,646 a year.
Graduates not immediately offered a position may be placed on an eligibility list to be considered for any vacancies over the next twelve months. You may also be offered short-term temporary employment opportunities during that time.
Benefits and incentives
Child Safety Officers provide high quality statutory protection services to the community through quality case management and a professional decision making framework. Your work will involve partnerships with carers, other key government departments, the non-government sector, the community and the public.
Child Safety Officers receive a range of incentives and benefits including:
- Supervision and career development
- Comprehensive induction training
- An Employee support service
- Generous superannuation
- Flexible work arrangements
- 20 days recreation leave per year with leave loading and compassionate and special leave
- Rural or remote location incentives including an annual bonus payment of $10 000, accommodation assistance, rural and remote professional development incentives, fortnightly locality allowance, and up to an additional 10 days recreational leave per year.
Scholarship application kit
A scholarship application kit and other supporting documentation will be posted on this website by 20 October 2008.
In the interim, please review the Child Safety Officer job description and the content of the scholarship qualification to help you to determine whether you think you would be suited to this role.
The final date for scholarship submissions is the close of business Friday 21 November 2008.
Scholarship information session
Attendance at the scholarship information session is highly recommended, particularly if you are not currently employed in the Department. This session will provide potential applicants with an opportunity to ask any questions they may have about the program including a discussion around the practicalities of undertaking the scholarship program, an overview of some of the tasks and challenges that a Child Safety Officer faces within their working environment, and existing career opportunities within the Department. The Scholarship information session is at the following date, time and location.
Note: Please ring (07) 3239 0381 to confirm your attendance at the Scholarship information session as there are limited seats available.
- Date:
- 14 November 2008
- Time:
- 9.00 am - 12.00 pm
- Location:
- Level 2 - Meeting Room 4
80 George Street
Brisbane City QLD(Walk to the front entrance of the building, keep to the left and walk down the stairs to level 2, and walk past the cafeteria until you reach Meeting Room 4)
Further information
Please contact the Department of Child Safety, Human Resource Branch on:
- Telephone:
- (07) 3239 0381
- Email:
- scholarships - scholarships@childsafety.qld.gov.au
- Last updated
- 13 October 2008