Manager Child Wellbeing Unit

At the NSW Department of Education, we educate and inspire lifelong learners – from early childhood, through schooling to vocational education and training.

• Temporary Full-Time opportunity until 30 June 2025 with a possibility of a 3 year extension
• Location: We offer flexible working arrangement, with an expectation to attend our Parramatta head office
• Salary from $125,693 to $138,510 plus employer Superannuation contribution and annual leave loading

About Child Wellbeing and Mental Health Services (CWMHS)

Child Wellbeing and Mental Health Services (CWMHS) delivers targeted student support in areas such as child protection, disability, mental health, and complex needs. The service aims to better align and coordinate psychological and child protection services in schools, respond effectively to urgent local issues, and promote best practice in service delivery.

About the role

As Manager of the Child Wellbeing Unit (CWU), you will lead the departments operational and strategic practices in child protection within the education system. This includes:

• Overseeing a passionate team focused on assessing and responding to child protection concern.
• Collaboration with interagency (such as Schools, government agencies and the non-government sector) to ensure responses are in line with best practices, policies and legislations.
• Design and manage effective operation intake systems, staff rostering and work allocations.
• Undertake case reviews and quality assurance to evaluate student outcomes, improve practices and alignment to legislations and policies.

For further information please click here to view the role description

About you

As the newly appointed Manager CWU, your proven experience in leadership, coupled with your solid background in child protection and commitment to public education, will uplift team capability, guide quality practice and champion continuous improvement.

The ideal candidate will also have:

• Experience in risk assessments and providing effective advice and responses.
• Proven track record in mentoring and supporting staff development to enhance team performance.
• Demonstrated the ability to build strong and collaborative partnerships.
• A university degree in social sciences or related discipline; or equivalent relevant work experience.

Key knowledge and experience

• Knowledge of and commitment to implementing the Department’s Aboriginal Education Policy and upholding the Department’s Partnership Agreement with the NSW AECG and to ensure quality outcomes for Aboriginal people.

Essential requirements of the role

• Hold a valid clearance to work with children (Working with Children Check) for paid employment.
• Demonstrated understanding of and commitment to the value of public education.

Benefits

• Flexible working arrangements
• 35 hour working week
• Competitive, salary sacrificing, employer’s contribution to superannuation and annual leave loading
• Flex Leave entitlements, generous holidays & leave conditions
• Opportunities for advancement and mobility across the Department to support your career growth

How to apply

Attach a resume (maximum 5 pages) and a cover letter (maximum 2 pages) outlining how you meet the requirements and capabilities of this role as well as providing answers to the 2 pre-screening questions below:

Targeted Question 1

Describe your management experience in a complex service environment. How have you supported team capability and ensured high-quality, child-centred practice aligned with policy and legislation? (max 300 words)

Targeted Question 2

Share an example of how you facilitated cross-sector collaboration to support a team member in their work with a child or young person. What approach did you take, and what was the outcome? (max 300 words)

Please refer to the Applicant’s Guide to Applying to assist you with your application.

If you are an existing Education Support Staff (corporate staff) with the NSW Department of Education, click here for instructions on how to submit your application.

All other applicants please submit your application by clicking ‘Apply Now’.

Note: the selection process will include a range of assessment techniques to assist in determining your suitability for the role. Successful candidates will be required to undertake pre-employment screening for this role which includes a National Criminal History Check.

This is a child-related role. As a condition of employment you will be required to provide a valid Working with Children Check (WWCC) Clearance number (for paid employment). Visit the website for more information.

Closing date:  Wednesday 23rd April 2025 at 11:59pm.

For role enquiries please contact Krista Sanders at krista.sanders2@det.nsw.edu.au and for recruitment process enquiries please contact Jenny Nguyen at jenny.nguyen199@det.nsw.edu.au

We welcome applications from all ages and genders, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, culturally and linguistically diverse groups, the LGBTQIA+ community, veterans, refugees and people with disability. If we can make some adjustments to our recruitment/interview process to better enable you to shine, please contact the Diversity and Inclusion Team (dandi@det.nsw.edu.au) or visit NSW Department of Education Diversity and Inclusion.

A recruitment pool may be created through this recruitment process. A recruitment pool is a group of applicants who have been assessed and identified as suitable for this role, and who may be considered for a range of similar roles, including temporary, term or ongoing roles, over the next 18 months.