Child safety service centres: staff roles and responsibilities
Introduction
The roles and responsibilities of staff at a CSSC contribute to the delivery of high quality child protection services to clients and communities.
CSSC Manager
The CSSC manager leads and manages a CSSC through:
- the implementation of quality business and practice systems and standards;
- ensuring that child protection services provided comply with relevant legislation, delegations, policies, quality standards and the Child Safety Practice Manual;
- the establishment of enduring productive partnerships with approved carers, the community, the public and non-government sectors;
- the ongoing professional development and management of staff; and
- the management of the department's ongoing program of quality improvement.
Senior practitioner
The senior practitioner supports and monitors the quality of the child protection service provided to children, their families and the community through:
- an 'expert' knowledge of child protection practice;
- mentoring and developing the practice skills and knowledge of CSOs, CSSOs and team leaders;
- monitoring and facilitating the implementation of relevant legislation, delegations, policies, quality standards and the Child Safety Practice Manual; and
- managing the ongoing improvement of child protection practice; and
- participating in, or conducting reviews of, complex or sensitive cases.
Team leader
The team leader:
- leads and supervises a team of departmental officers in the delivery of collaborative frontline child protection services to children, their families and communities;
- provides professional supervision to staff involved in child protection service delivery; and
- ensures that the child protection services delivered, comply with legislation, delegations, policies, quality standards and the Child Safety Practice Manual.
Child safety officer
The child safety officer (CSO) provides statutory child protection services to children and families through:
- undertaking the roles of an authorised officer under the Child Protection Act 1999;
- the application of relevant legislation, delegations, policies, quality standards and the Child Safety Practice Manual; and
- working collaboratively with approved carers, the community, government and non-government service providers.
Child safety support officer
The child safety support officer (CSSO) supports the provision of child protection services to children and families through:
- assisting CSOs in their application of relevant legislation, policies, practice guidelines and procedures; and
- working collaboratively with approved carers, the community, government and non-government service providers.
Court coordinator
The court coordinator represents the chief executive in court matters by advising and consulting with other departmental officers and promoting a high standard of service to children in relation to court matters and the Children Services Tribunal.
SCAN (AM) Team coordinator
The SCAN (AM) Team coordinator coordinates the effective functioning of the Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect (AM) Teams.
Convener (family group meetings)
A convenor is delegated under the Child Protection Act 1999 to convene family group meetings and is an A05 or another officer at a higher level. The convenor is to be independent of the case and is not to have decision-making responsibilities for the case. The convenor plans and facilitates the family group meeting and records the case plan developed at a family group meeting.
Administrative staff
Administrative staff provide support services for the staff at the CSSC. This includes administrative assistance such as reception duties, record keeping and word processing.
Business support officer
Provides financial, human resource and business support to departmental officers, including specific advice and guidance to the manager about business systems and services.
- Last updated
- 30 June 2007
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