OFFICIAL
Job Description Form
Advocate for Children in Care
Position Details
Position Number:
004730
Classification:
OOQ4
Award:
Public Service Award
Agreement:
Child Protection Agreement
Organisational Unit:
Child Protection and Family Support / Specialist Child Protection /
Child Protection Practice
Location:
Perth Metropolitan Area
Classification Date:
Effective Date:
September 2025
Reporting Relationships
This position reports to:
Chief Practitioner Specialist Child Protection, 013626, Specified Calling Level 7
Positions under Direct Supervision:
This position may supervise a small team.
OFFICIAL
About the Department
Communities provides person-centred, place-based support to the most vulnerable members of
our Western Australian community.
We work towards this goal through a range of functions and service delivery responsibilities, all
of which are more impactful and effective when we work in partnership with families,
communities, community sector services and Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations
(ACCOs).
At Communities, we are privileged to provide services and partner with others to keep children
safe; provide vital community services, including in emergencies; address homelessness;
prevent family and domestic violence; provide stewardship for the disability sector; regulate the
early childhood and care sector; and manage the agenda for Women’s interests, youth, seniors
and ageing, carers, and volunteering.
We are on a continuous journey to improve the way we work with our communities and partners
across Western Australia. Everything we do is about creating ‘better lives together through
people, place and home’ and working together to provide responsive services that build safe,
inclusive and empowered communities.
We promote a diverse workforce and embrace a high standard of equal opportunity, health and
safety, and ethical practice.
Join us and work in a role where you can make a real difference to the lives of children, families,
individuals and communities throughout Western Australia.
Role Statement
The Advocate for Children in Care is responsible for:

providing a specific focus for the interests of children and young people in Western
Australia;

connecting with and advocating for children and young people in out of home care,
including in community sector services, Residential Care, foster care and kinship care;

promoting out-of-home care service provision in accordance with the Children and
Community Services Act 2004 and Charter of Rights for Children; and

acting as an advocate for young people and children and undertaking diverse
responsibilities including providing strategic advice, policy development, quality
assurance, advocacy and liaising with a wide range of stakeholders, including children
and young people.
Advocate for Children in Care, 004730, Specified Calling Level 4
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Position Duties and Responsibilities
1.
Shapes and Manages Strategy
1.1
Provides a specific focus on the interests of children and young people in Western
Australia in out-of-home care, including in community sector services, Residential Care,
foster care and kinship care.
1.2
Provides relevant, quality and timely advice to the Deputy Director General Community
Services, Chief Practitioner and other Community Services Executives on critical issues
that may affect the care and well-being of young people in out-of-home care.
1.3
Develops methodologies and systems that will best ensure the role represents the
interests and well-being of children in out-of-home care.
1.4
Develops effective strategies and mechanisms to enable children in out-of-home care to
raise concerns and make complaints regarding their care.
2.
Achieves Results
2.1
Promotes out-of-home care service provision in accordance with the Children and
Community Services Act 2004 and Charter of Rights for Children.
2.2
Promotes best practice standards of care for children and young people in out-of-home
care and creates awareness of good practice already occurring within the Department
and non-government organisations.
2.3
Leads, develops and facilitates quality assurance systems for monitoring and improving
the quality of services delivered to children and young people in care.
2.4
Identifies and promotes good practice feedback and advocacy for those acting on behalf
of children in out-of-home care.
3.
Builds Productive Relationships
3.1
Develops strategies and mechanisms that provide opportunities to listen to what children
and young people have to say about their experiences of living in out-of-home care.
3.2
Promotes the participation of children and young people in out-of-home care in decisions
that affect them.
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3.3
Liaises with staff and external stakeholders, including the CREATE Foundation, the
Foster Care Association and community sector services to gather and/or communicate
information to improve the standard of care for children and young people in out-of-home
care.
3.4
Acts as an effective voice to protect children in out-of-home care and works with
government to advocate for their safety and well-being.
4.
Other
4.1
Assists in the management of the unit’s resources in accordance with the Department’s
strategy, values and policies to achieve cost effective outputs and outcomes, the
minimisation of risk and compliance with statutory obligations.
4.2
Undertakes research in contemporary out-of-home care, including international and
national experiences.
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Corporate Responsibilities
1.
Exhibits accountability, professional integrity and respect consistent with Communities
Values, the Code of Conduct, and the public sector Code of Ethics.
2.
Actively participates in the Communities performance development process and pursues
professional development opportunities.
3
Participates in emergency or critical event response management duties as required.
4.
Undertakes other duties as required.
Work Health and Safety Responsibilities
All Employees (and Volunteers / Trainees / Contractors)
1.
Take reasonable care for your own health, safety and wellbeing at work, and that of
others who may be affected by your actions or omissions; and comply and cooperate
with safety and health policies, procedures and applicable legislated requirements.
Supervisors (if applicable)
2.
In addition to the Employees WHS responsibility, ensure as far as practicable, the health,
safety and wellbeing of staff under your supervision through the provision of a safe
workplace in accordance with health and safety legislation.
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Essential Work-Related Requirements (Selection Criteria)
1.
Shapes and Manages Strategy

Demonstrated experience in showing leadership in the development and implementation
of strategy and programs to achieve business goals.

Recognise opportunities to initiate policy and program development and review within a
division context. This includes high-level conceptual, analytical and decision-making
skills that demonstrates an ability to advise on complex issues at a senior level.

Develops and manages change processes.
2.
Achieves Results

A proven record in producing outcomes and a commitment to working collaboratively and
inclusively to address emerging issues. This is built on a foundation of professional
practice and the ability to manage available resources (human, financial and physical) to
achieve organisational goals.

Has significant experience and knowledge of core Child Protection Practice Frameworks
and uses these to foster advanced questioning and facilitation skills to build the capability
of their Team.
3.
Builds Productive Relationships

Experience in nurturing internal and external relationships with a network of key people.
Proven ability to facilitate cooperation and partnerships bringing people together and
encouraging input from key stakeholders.

Fostering teamwork and rewarding cooperative and collaborative behaviour as well as
using appropriate conflict resolution strategies are critical approaches of the manager.

Encouraging and motivating people to engage in continuous learning and empowering
people through delegating tasks builds the capacity of both staff and the community.
4.
A Relevant Tertiary Qualification

A tertiary qualification in Social Work, Psychology or a relevant Human Service area.
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Essential Eligibility Requirements / Special Appointment Requirements
1.
Appointment is subject to a satisfactory Criminal Record Check conducted by the
Department.
2.
Appointment is subject to a satisfactory Working with Children (WWC) Check.
3.
Appointment is subject to a satisfactory Client and Child Protection Check.
4.
Possession of a current Western Australian 'C' or 'C-A' Class Driver’s Licence or
equivalent, and the ability to travel in response to organisational needs. This requirement
continues for the duration of employment in this position and from time-to-time production
of the licence may be required upon request by the Department.
5.
Candidates possessing international qualifications must provide assessment by the
Overseas Qualification Assessment Unit (OQU) from Department of Workforce
Development and Training WA or OQU assessment from another state for approval as
an equivalent by the Executive Director, Department of Commerce.
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