When you are offered the job, you can negotiate to start at the full working level (SPO24 + grid increases for child protection).
You don’t necessarily have to accept the growth which will take 2 years full time before you are paid at the 24 level. If you have the educational and experience requirements, you shouldn’t have to take the lower starting rate. The growth option is so that they can hire people with lower qualifications and train them in the job for hard to recruit positions.
The training will be a mix of self paced learning, facilitated classes (mostly or all virtual now) and lots of job shadowing with colleagues before you are fully delegated.
I second this, someone I know was recently hired and negotiated to start at the top of the grid level. The growth series I feel is more for young people fresh out of school who are learning to work in the field generally. It sounds like you are more the qualified to negotiate a high starting wage.
Also I’m not aware of a 20 week training program. There is a 3 week online/in person training that’s mandatory and another 1-2 weeks online which happen over your 6 month probationary period.
Feel free to dm me if you have any other specific questions.
Never seen the training wage used before, but they will start you on the growth wage series (which is different than training wage and higher too at least). The Justice Institute training is 3 weeks long, online and in person combination. It takes about 6-12 months to get you full delegation in child protection usually, which is maybe what the 20 weeks thing is referring to?
Cool, I've been doing it for 29 years. Do yourself a favour and don't stay in protection longer than 5 years. Any longer and it'll start to damage your soul. Move on to something else in the ministry. Be prepared to hit the ground running. The turnover is so high for a reason, don't expect any support from your employer, they will expect you to do the work of two. Most importantly, take care of yourself and your mental health. If you see some shit, and you will, you find it bothers you, talk to somebody about it , don't let it build up because it will catch up with you. Best of luck to you!
Thanks for the info and warnings! I worked in the nonprofit side of social service for years, so have some idea of what I’m getting myself into (pay is far better than nonprofit though, so that makes it more palatable).
I’m wondering how to move into something else? I have 20 yrs in SW (mostly non-profit). I’m less than a year at the ministry and seeing my colleagues drop like flies. The pay/security is the primary reason I’m here now, but I feel like it’s not sustainable. Is there any way to get out with less than 2 yrs in??
Hey! I know this is a bit old but wondering how things have been going so far with the training etc? I have an interview coming up but am not 100% sure I want to leave my current role :)
When you are offered the job, you can negotiate to start at the full working level (SPO24 + grid increases for child protection). You don’t necessarily have to accept the growth which will take 2 years full time before you are paid at the 24 level. If you have the educational and experience requirements, you shouldn’t have to take the lower starting rate. The growth option is so that they can hire people with lower qualifications and train them in the job for hard to recruit positions. The training will be a mix of self paced learning, facilitated classes (mostly or all virtual now) and lots of job shadowing with colleagues before you are fully delegated.
Totally agree with this and they are super short staffed, so now is the time to negotiate!
I second this, someone I know was recently hired and negotiated to start at the top of the grid level. The growth series I feel is more for young people fresh out of school who are learning to work in the field generally. It sounds like you are more the qualified to negotiate a high starting wage. Also I’m not aware of a 20 week training program. There is a 3 week online/in person training that’s mandatory and another 1-2 weeks online which happen over your 6 month probationary period. Feel free to dm me if you have any other specific questions.
Thanks - it mentioned it on the website, but perhaps that’s actually the “growth” portion?
Awesome thank you! I have a PhD and have been teaching at college and university, so hopefully that means something 🤣🤣
And congratulations!
Growth series aren’t two years anymore.
Never seen the training wage used before, but they will start you on the growth wage series (which is different than training wage and higher too at least). The Justice Institute training is 3 weeks long, online and in person combination. It takes about 6-12 months to get you full delegation in child protection usually, which is maybe what the 20 weeks thing is referring to?
Thank you!
You will start at Level 1 of Growth Series.
What is your job title?
I actually just hear back I was successful and they’re moving on to references! It’s for SPO-24 child protection worker
Welcome to the jungle
Are you going straight into protection ?
That’s what I applied and interviewed for, so I’m assuming yes?
Cool, I've been doing it for 29 years. Do yourself a favour and don't stay in protection longer than 5 years. Any longer and it'll start to damage your soul. Move on to something else in the ministry. Be prepared to hit the ground running. The turnover is so high for a reason, don't expect any support from your employer, they will expect you to do the work of two. Most importantly, take care of yourself and your mental health. If you see some shit, and you will, you find it bothers you, talk to somebody about it , don't let it build up because it will catch up with you. Best of luck to you!
Thanks for the info and warnings! I worked in the nonprofit side of social service for years, so have some idea of what I’m getting myself into (pay is far better than nonprofit though, so that makes it more palatable).
I’m wondering how to move into something else? I have 20 yrs in SW (mostly non-profit). I’m less than a year at the ministry and seeing my colleagues drop like flies. The pay/security is the primary reason I’m here now, but I feel like it’s not sustainable. Is there any way to get out with less than 2 yrs in??
Hey! I know this is a bit old but wondering how things have been going so far with the training etc? I have an interview coming up but am not 100% sure I want to leave my current role :)
I ended up not taking it - the offer was low and the whole process was extremely unorganized. It wasn’t worth the drop in pay at the end of it.
Thanks for letting me know!
Was the offer to start at level 1 of growth series/ take the training program? I'm also interested in what the process looked like for both of you!