Location: Murarrie, QLD (Turrbal & Yuggera peoples) (with flexible work options available by arrangements) We’re also open to considering remote or alternative locations across Australia for the right candidate.
Employment Type: Full Time, Fixed Term Contract to December 2026
We’re Goodstart
At Goodstart, we’re all about laying the foundation for better lives through amazing early learning experiences, and we know that we can’t do that without great people!
Centre directors, educators, and centre support teams all we work together to make a real difference for children in the first five years.
We make a personal commitment at Goodstart to ensure children feel safe and are safe. Safety, health and wellbeing are more than just words to us, they are a promise we make to our children, our families and each other every day.
At Goodstart we amplify and promote the voice and rights of children to ensure that all children can feel safe and be safe, and are safeguarded from child abuse, neglect and harm.
Safety is our number one priority.
We have an exciting and rewarding opportunity for a Child Protection Specialist to join our team. This role will provide highly skilled, strengths-based, case management and specialist support, ensuring children continue to access early childhood education and care. As the Child Protection Specialist, you will actively reinforce Goodstart’s safeguarding approach with centre teams and support the implementation of the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations.
This opportunity is for you if you want to:
Join a skilled and experienced national team focused on safeguarding and protecting children who may have experienced, abuse, neglect or harm.
Have the opportunity to improve outcomes and make a difference for more than 70,000 children.
Working with front line educators, teachers and Centre Directors in every state and territory to support and improve outcomes and experiences for children that have been the subject of a child abuse, neglect and harm notification.
Contribute to the evidence base about what works best to support children at risk
Work for an organisation that has an aspiration to be globally recognised for early years practice and high-quality early learning outcomes for children.
Access unique opportunities for professional growth and development.
Other benefits of joining our team include:
Clinical supervision with an experienced supervisor is provided as part of this role to help establish effective self-care practices, continuing professional development and improved resilience.
Flexible work arrangements can be negotiated giving you choice about when and how work will be done in order to better manage your work and non-work needs.
Salary Packaging benefits which reduces your taxable income to increase take home pay.
Fitness Passport - access to gyms and pools for you and your family at a heavily discounted price
Discounted health care and access to employee wellbeing program with BUPA
Exclusive discounts on travel, gym memberships, Apple and Dell products, and more.
Free annual flu shot (optional)
Option to purchase extra leave for even greater work life balance
First Nations Support and Cultural Leave
Work for a company that has an aspiration to be globally recognised for early years practice and learning outcomes
Gain significant investment in your growth and development with support, tools, training and experiences that will truly enhance the progress and outcomes for children in their earliest years.
About you:
As an experienced child protection case worker, counsellor or social worker, you will have:
A relevant degree/tertiary qualification
Current Working with Children Check in your current state or territory
Experience identifying and addressing child protection concerns and providing case management and specialist support.
Ability to build rapport, communicate and work effectively with people from different socio-economic and cultural backgrounds, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Ability to work with front line staff (Centre Directors, educators and teachers) that have existing strong relationships with children to build their competency in supporting children and families that have been the subject of a child protection notification.
Knowledge of relevant legislation in each state and territory across Australia, or deep experience in one state and the ability to rapidly acquire this knowledge
Knowledge of the Child Safe Standards (state-based) and the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations
High level written and verbal communication skills
How to apply
Click ‘Apply Now’ and submit your application.
We review applications as they are submitted. We encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible for your best chance to progress to the next stage of the process.
We strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples for all positions
Have a question? Contact our Talent Acquisition Team via email recruitment@goodstart.org.au
As a Child Safe Organisation, all of our candidates must have or obtain a valid working with children check.
Posting Notes: AUSTRALIA || Australia || Australia (AU) || | || No Early Childhood Qualification || Full-Time