Department for Child Protection, South Australia

Congratulations to Sunil Barot, who has won the Practice Excellence Award at the DCP Recognition Awards. 🏆 Sunil, a Senior Social Worker, and has been described as a reliable advocate for families, who prioritises family connections and cultural identity. Well done Sunil. 👏

🎄🎅This year, Christmas will be extra special for carers Betty and Shaun - they'll be joined by a three-year-old girl who is staying with the family. The couple has three children of their own, and also have kinship care of their 11-year-old nephew. They’re also taking part in the Department for Child Protection’s pilot Additionally Approved Carer Program, which involves kinship carers offering short-term or emergency placements for children who aren't related to them. One of the family’s many traditions is a named Christmas stocking for each child, accompanied by a fresh, framed photo of each in their Santa hat. “I struggled to find a matching frame and stocking for (Jessica),” Betty said. “I eventually found a silver frame that was close. She loved it, and put it straight up next to the other kids’.” Read the family's heartwarming story here: https://ow.ly/iRuM50UwlSF

We’re so pleased to announce that DCP Call Centre Business Support team took out the inaugural Peer Recognition Award at the DCP Recognition Awards. The team has been recognised for operationalising innovative digital solutions, and also recently coordinated a large number of DCP staff moving to a new facility. Well done team! 👏 📷 DCP Chief Executive Jackie Bray and DCP Call Centre Business Support Team members Philippa Paxton and Lisa Margrie

A big round of applause for Jess Gardner who has won the Child and Youth Worker of the Year Award at the DCP Recognition Awards. Jess Gardner, a senior child and youth worker, has been recognised for organising group activities and outings to give young people memorable experiences. She was involved in the Create Your Futures program for children over the age of 15, preparing them for independent living. Jess has also been recognised for creating a resource library which includes items for fishing, camping, beach activities and general outings. Well, done Jess. 👏 📷DCP Chief Executive Jackie Bray and Jess Gardner

🥳Congratulations to almost 140 young people with a care experience who studied Year 12 this year, and celebrated the end of their schooling with a special ceremony at Government House. Governor of South Australia Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson AC this week presented certificates to the ceremony's attendees. Hailing from across SA, they included 18-year-old Harmony, who plans to study social work and nursing. You can read more about the ceremony and Harmony's story here: https://ow.ly/ZlYF50UuEIe Well done everyone!

👏Congratulations to Kasia Granek-Dennis on winning the Outstanding Collaboration (Individual Award) at last week's DCP Recognition Awards. Kasia, DCP’s Whyalla office manager, has worked hard to build connections and relationships with Aboriginal services, in collaboration with Aboriginal staff. She has also fostered strong relationships with other agencies such as SA Police and the Department for Education, Health SA and the SA Housing Trust. This is helping create stronger outcomes for children and young people. Keep up the great work Kasia! 📷DCP Chief Jackie Bray and Kasia Granek-Dennis

A huge congratulations to Teya Rickett who has been named Aboriginal Employee of the Year at the 2024 DCP Recognition Awards. Teya, a Residential Care Supervisor, provides exceptional support for the care of Aboriginal young people, as well as cultural guidance and support to staff and stakeholders. One of Teya’s priorities is to create safer environments for Aboriginal young people. Well done Teya! 🙌 📷DCP Chief Jackie Bray and Teya Rickett.

🏆The Department for Child Protection this week celebrated its Recognition Awards. 🏆 The awards celebrate the outstanding achievements of staff members and their commitment to the complex work they do to make a difference in the lives of children and young people and their families and carers. Over the coming weeks, we'll share more info about our winners and the significant contribution they've made to the child protection and family support system.

We're looking for an experienced practitioner with a strong background in driving complex change. Our ideal person will have significant experience in child protection practice as well as in managing quality improvement programs, projects and policy development. If you can also provide expert clinical, evidence-based strategic advice related to quality and safeguarding, we'd love to hear from you. Apply today! https://ow.ly/bj5C50UoMls

Are you able to conduct complex investigations and assessments in a child-centred manner and work with families to support the safe return of their children to their care? If so, our Gawler office would love to hear from you! We have two full-time positions available for a motivated, organised professional with a degree level qualification in Social Work, Community Services, Social Sciences, Human Services, Health or related field. Find out more and apply online at https://ow.ly/LFEq50UmaNL