Head of Safeguarding | Big Fat Smile

Head of Safeguarding

• Permanent, full time
• 38 hours per week, Monday to Friday at 7.6 per day

Working at Big Fat Smile, there’s a lot to smile about. The trust you’ll be given in exchange for your expertise. The freedom you’ll be given to make a difference and enrich the lives and minds of our children and families in their communities.

The Head of Safeguarding will drive the organisation's strategic direction relating to safeguarding children through delivering a comprehensive child safeguarding and child protection framework. The key purpose of this role is to further strengthen Big Fat Smile's child-safe culture. The activities within this role include, but are not limited to interpretation of legislation, policies and procedures, undertaking investigations, case management, building capacity, reporting including reportable conduct, and monitoring compliance.

More than a job, this is an opportunity to make the world a better, brighter place. Get greater enjoyment from your work and make more of a difference in the lives of every child and family in their community in our child-first organisation.

Big smiles and bigger opportunities

We’re Big Fat Smile. A not-for-profit that plays a pivotal role in the lives of thousands of children and families across Australia. We’re early education enthusiasts, with 40+ community preschools, long day care centres, out of school hours care and vacation care, and a variety of community and inclusion programs. Each one dedicated to giving every child the best start in life. And each well-respected for the work it does.

What your work will involve

• Lead the ongoing development of the Safeguarding Children's Organisational Framework, Child Safe Action plan, policies, and procedure in accordance with relevant legislation, regulations and the National Principles of child Safe Organisations
• Manage a communication strategy that aligns to the Child Safe Organisations National Principles and engage with relevant internal stakeholders to guild greater promotion and prominence of our commitment to safeguarding children from abuse, neglect and/or harm.
• Develop and maintain cooperative relationships with relevant government agencies e.g. FACS, JIRT, OCG
• Directly manage high profile or high-risk child protection incidents and oversee all other incidents relating to allegations or suspicions of child abuse, neglect and/or harm that has occurred or is occurring to a child in the care of the centre or external to the centre
• Continuously improve the Child Safe Action Plan to implement the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations using analysis that identifies the causes and systemic failures of complaints, concerns, and child safeguarding incidents.
• Build the knowledge and capacity of staff to ensure timely reporting of child protection incidents to appropriate external regulatory agencies including Reportable Conduct Schemes
• Regularly review, evaluate and improve child safe practices

What you need to succeed

• A relevant degree qualification from an accredited Australian Tertiary Institution in social work, psychology, welfare or equivalent
• Extensive knowledge of Child Protection related legislation, regulations, and best practices
• Knowledge of the Child Safe Organisation principles and child protection system in NSW (ACT desirable)
• Solid experience in case managing and providing advice and guidance on child protecting and child safeguarding matters.
• Experience in completing reportable conduct relational investigations or similar investigatory experience and knowledge
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to quickly ascertain concerns for children's safety and wellbeing and make the appropriate decisions to ensure safety and wellbeing
• Strong stakeholder management skills with proficiency in coaching, influencing, facilitation, presentation, communicating, problem solving and negotiation
• Cleared Valid paid work, working with Children's Check (WWCC)

How to apply

Please send us:

• A copy of your resume
• A cover letter that outlines why you are a good fit for the role

Join us and you’ll be smiling too, when you make more of a difference.