This is a compulsory block induction training program for new Department of Children and Families (DCF) frontline child protection staff requiring authorisation under the Care and Protection of Children Act 2007.

Target

This training is most applicable for:

• child protection practitioners
• team leaders
• practice leaders
• courts officers
• relevant AO staff such as Aboriginal Community Workers.

While the Care and Protection Induction Program training is designed for frontline staff, all new and existing staff are also able to attend the whole program or specific modules, as required. In addition, staff from Territory Families' partner NGOs are welcome to attend the Induction pending availability of places.

Note: The information about completion of Components 1 to 3 is relevant only to DCF staff who require authorisation. It does not apply to existing staff attending select courses for refresh or professional development purposes and NGO partners.

Overview

The program is made up of three components. All three components must be completed to be eligible for authorisation.

Component 1 – Online pre-induction

Provides a range of activities that participants should complete prior to attending Component 2, the face-to-face (F2F) component. DCF acknowledges that new staff may have limited time between their recruitment and the commencement of Component 2. Therefore, it is acceptable that new staff complete the online pre-requisites after Component 2 has started and during the delivery.

Component 2 – F2F training

The face-to-face course component is made up of 18 days of training, comprising of various course delivery sessions.

You will be provided a copy of the timetable on your first day of training, and you are expected to return to complete any sessions that you miss during the face-to-face delivery. 

Current Timetable Sessions include:

• Cross Cultural Awareness 
• Services Australia
• Office of the Children's Commissioner
• NAAJA and DCF working together
• Trauma Informed Practice
• Working with Children and Young People with Disabilities 
• EQ and Resilience
• Suicide Awareness
• Signs of Safety Framework
• Domestic and Family Violence Awareness 
• CARE Training 
• Central Intake and Mandatory Reporting 
• Harm Types (including Cumulative Harm) + Sexual Exploitation 
• Disability and Development in a Children and Families Context 
• Investigation and Assessment (3 -days)
• Strengthening Families 
• The Law and Child Protection 
• Court & Legal Court Processes (2-days)
• Case Management - Children in Care (3-days)
• Transition to Independence 
• Public Guardian Presentation 

Component 3 – Care and Protection Induction Workbook

Participants have six months to complete the Care and Protection Induction Workbook as well as any incomplete tasks from Component 1. The workbook includes self-reflection questions and a third-party report to completed by your team leader.

For your convenience, the workbook repeats all the requirements in this online course. The completed workbook is to be uploaded to this course so that it can be verified by Professional Development and Training (PDT). Incomplete workbooks will be emailed back to participants.

Once the workbook is verified, participants are then eligible for full authorisation under the Act.

Learning Outcome

The program aims for participants to:

• - develop the knowledge, skills and
• - practical strategies necessary for undertaking contemporary child protection practice in the NT context.

How to Pass

To complete this course participants must:

• complete all of the activities in Component 1
• attend all classes in Component 2 and the course evaluations provided each week
• submit their Care and Protection Induction Workbook within six months of completion of Component 2 and have their submission verified by PDT.

Upcoming Training Dates