WORKER AND CARER EXCLUSION SCHEME PANELS
- Make a significant contribution to child safety in Victoria
- Use your expertise in law, social work, psychology, or related fields
- Contribute to decision-making that improves outcomes for children
About the Scheme
The Worker and Carer Exclusion Scheme (WCES) is a key part of Victoria’s strengthened regulatory framework for social services, ensuring the safety and protection of children and young people in out-of-home care. Established under the Social Services Regulation Act 2021, the scheme broadens the scope of conduct that can result in a worker or carer being excluded from the sector, increasing protections for vulnerable children. The scheme is administered by the Social Services Regulator, and its independent panels play a critical role in determining whether an out-of-home care worker or carer should be excluded based on misconduct or unjustifiable risk of harm to children.
About the role
As a WCES Panel Member, you will be responsible for reviewing cases and determining whether a worker or carer should be excluded from the out-of-home care sector. The Panel will work collaboratively together to assess complex cases involving misconduct allegations and risk assessments. You will engage with legal, social work, and child protection frameworks to make informed decisions, while ensuring there is a fair and robust decision-making process that upholds child safety. Appointments are made by Governor-in-Council on the recommendation of the Minister for Children. The Chair of each panel is appointed by the Social Services Regulator.
About you
You have formal qualifications and experience in either law, social work, psychology, the behaviour of criminal offenders or any other discipline that is relevant to the functions of this panel. The Chair must have legal qualifications. You are a highly skilled and knowledgeable professional with a strong understanding of regulatory frameworks, decision-making processes, and tribunal procedures. You have a deep understanding of the out-of-home care sector, with sound judgement and strong analytical skills. You are an exceptional communicator, able to convey complex information while working highly collaboratively with other Panel members. You demonstrate professionalism, integrity, and impartiality in every aspect of your work, and you see this as an opportunity to make a significant contribution to child safety in Victoria.
The Victorian Government is committed to ensuring that government boards and committees reflect the composition of the Victorian community. In addition to people with disability, applications are welcome from women, regional Victorians, Aboriginal people, young people and people from LGBTIQA+ and Victoria’s culturally diverse communities. The selection and remuneration of appointees is in accordance with the Victorian Government’s Appointment and remuneration guidelines for Victorian government boards statutory bodies and advisory committees.
Please review requirements and click on the following document links to download the Application Form (Word) and the Information Pack in PDF or the Information Pack in Word. To apply, lodge your Resume (CV) plus the completed Application Form (in place of a cover letter) at the ‘apply for this job’ button (above right).