Child Protection & Residential Care Specialist

Child Protection & Residential Care Specialist

Project-Based Contract | 3 Months with Potential Extension | Melbourne, VIC

About the Opportunity

HCPA is seeking a knowledgeable and practical Child Protection & Residential Care Specialist to support a project focused on the Victorian Out-of-Home Care (OOHC) and Residential Care sector.

This is an opportunity for someone with hands-on industry experience who understands how residential care services operate and can translate their knowledge into practical insights, research and recommendations.

The initial engagement is for 3 months, with the potential to extend depending on project requirements.

We welcome applications from experienced practitioners, team leaders, coordinators, practice leads and operational specialists who are ready to contribute their expertise to a project-based consulting engagement.

Key Responsibilities

• Research and analyse the Victorian Child Protection, OOHC and Residential Care landscape.
• Develop an understanding of provider registration, regulatory requirements, government funding and contracting arrangements.
• Review residential care operating models, including staffing structures, workforce requirements, placements and referral pathways.
• Identify key operational, compliance and service delivery considerations for residential care providers.
• Research industry practices, provider requirements and opportunities for service development.
• Contribute to gap analyses, operational reviews and practical recommendations.
• Prepare clear documentation, research summaries and project deliverables.
• Collaborate with HCPA stakeholders to translate findings into actionable insights.

About You

You bring practical experience in Child Protection, Out-of-Home Care or Residential Care and understand the realities of delivering services in a regulated environment.

You may be a:

• Residential Care or Therapeutic Care Team Leader
• Senior OOHC Practitioner or Child Protection Practitioner
• Practice Lead or Program Coordinator
• Quality, Compliance or Safeguarding Specialist
• Experienced Service Delivery Officer or Operational Specialist

You will ideally have:

• Demonstrated experience in Victorian Residential Care, Therapeutic Residential Care or OOHC.
• A sound understanding of relevant Victorian child protection regulations, standards and service requirements.
• Knowledge of residential care operations, workforce arrangements, safeguarding and quality practices.
• Strong research, analytical and documentation skills.
• The ability to work independently, manage project deliverables and meet agreed deadlines.
• Clear communication skills and the ability to turn complex information into practical recommendations.

Experience with provider registration, government contracting, funding models, service establishment or operational improvement will be highly regarded.

Engagement Details

• Engagement type: Project-based contract
• Initial duration: 3 months
• Extension: Potential to extend, subject to project requirements
• Location: Melbourne, Victoria
• Work arrangement: Hybrid, with an expectation of 3 days in the office and 2 days working from home
• Schedule: Monday to Friday, subject to agreed project requirements

Why Join HCPA?

This is an opportunity to apply your sector knowledge to a focused consulting project, contribute to practical service and operational improvements, and work with a team supporting organisations in regulated industries.

If you have hands-on experience in Child Protection, OOHC or Residential Care and are interested in applying that expertise in a project-based capacity, we would love to hear from you.

Apply now and tell us about your relevant experience and availability for the initial three-month engagement. shella@hcpa.com