Meet our newest Child Safety Officers

Did you have any previous experience in Child Protection?

I have four years post qualifying experience as a front line Child Protection Social Worker in the UK from 2010-2014. It's very different over here. I'm enjoying learning so much but also transferring the skills I've already obtained from my previous employment.

What has been the most rewarding part of your time as a Child Safety Officer so far?

Being a Child Safety Officer is one of the most challenging and rewarding jobs you can have. Every single day is different, and you can never guess what will happen on any given day. Even after the more challenging day, I go home happy and grateful for this opportunity.

Just recently I took a telephone call from a grandmother. She kept her anonymity and provided little detail. She wasn't raising any Child Protection concerns, she just wanted advice and someone to listen to her. I spoke with her for the best part of an hour and at the end of the conversation she became emotional and thanked me. That call and so many others each day reiterate why we do what we do, big and small differences, sometimes hard, never glamourous, at times painfully frustrating but all worth it for that positive outcome.

What advice do you have for anyone wanting to pursue a career as a CSO?

It takes a certain type of person to do the role. It's crucial that you can have a sense a humour and don't take life too seriously. As much as we are filled with passion for our careers, we must ensure our own safety too, enjoy your evenings and weekends and leave work at work!

My main tip is to ask questions - I ask a million every day. I'm so lucky to have supportive colleagues, and supervisors that never tire of my endless questions and requests for advice. It's how we continue to learn and grow each day as practitioners. Personally from my experience I've found jumping in at the deep end and running with it the best way that I learn and this has helped me to pick things up quickly. I enjoy the independence and trust afforded to me by senior staff who are usually more confident in my abilities than I am myself; but reinforce and encourage me to assess risks and make decisions in a safe and supportive environment.

Did you have any previous experience in Child Protection?

Prior to joining the Logan Central team I did not have any previous experience working in Child Protection. After completing my university studies, I secured a position working in family services in Deniliquin NSW. I worked in this position for approximately two months before I was offered to work in Child Protection as a CSO at Logan Central. Although I did not have a lot of previous experience working with children, I am looking forward to my future career as a CSO. I have always wanted to gain employment in Child Protection, and I am grateful to have been presented with this wonderful opportunity. I am currently enjoying my learning journey as a CSO at Logan Central.

What has been the most rewarding part of your time as a Child Safety Officer so far?

I have been working in Child Safety for approximately one month now, and I can confidently say that the most rewarding part would be engaging with children and their families. I love seeing children in care feel so overjoyed when they are having a visit with their parents. Another rewarding part of working as a CSO so far has been the Child Safety training I was able to attend in Brisbane. I have been so grateful to meet other new CSOs and hear how their journey is going.

What advice do you have for anyone wanting to pursue a career as a CSO?

I believe that if anyone works hard to steer towards a profession they are passionate about, they can definitely do so by putting in hard work to achieve this. Never give up on your university studies as it is all worth it in the end when you are able to successfully gain employment within your chosen field of work.

Did you have any previous experience in Child Protection?

While working in Intensive Family Support and running evidence based parenting programs I had often engaged alongside Child Safety or supported the families who were currently engaged with Child Safety to support the families to reach their goals.

What has been the most rewarding part of your time as a Child Safety Officer so far?

Working directly with the children on a daily basis and having the opportunity to hear their wishes and created strong supports around them to create real change.

What advice do you have for anyone wanting to pursue a career as a CSO?

Go ahead, jump in and do it! Once I was working for child safety it was nothing like what I had heard or previously thought. It's a supportive environment that encourages professional growth, while maintaining a strong focus on the child.

Did you have any previous experience in Child Protection?

I've had some experience with child protection in my previous role as a care practitioner in a youth residential. This experience helped me develop my skills in working with children who have had traumatic experiences.

What has been the most rewarding part of your time as a Child Safety Officer so far?

The most rewarding part so far was seeing one of my young people start their driving lessons. They felt a great sense of achievement and this was radiated on their face.

What advice do you have for anyone wanting to pursue a career as a CSO?

Give it a go. The training provided is brilliant and you have the opportunity to continually develop and learn. Being a Child Safety Officer is a very demanding but rewarding job with brilliant supports to help you achieve your goals.

Did you have any previous experience in Child Protection?

After graduating from University in December 2017, I worked in residential care for a couple of months. Those few months really helped me get a basic understanding of child protection.

What has been the most rewarding part of your time as a Child Safety Officer so far?

The most rewarding part of my time as a CSO so far has been working with families who are really trying their hardest and working with us to reunify with their children.

What advice do you have for anyone wanting to pursue a career as a CSO?

My advice for someone who is trying to pursue a career as a Child Safety Officer is to get in and give it a go. Although there can be difficult days that leave you emotionally and physically drained, the days that leave you feeling as if you've achieved something and have done your part to further help a child and their family really outshines any of those bad days.