1. JN
Jim Nicholls Curriculum Vitae
Private and Confidential
Jim Nicholls
Curriculum Vitae
a 6072 Lugano Drive, Hope Island Qld 4212
p 0403 970 612
e jim-nicholls@hotmail.com

2. JN
Jim Nicholls Curriculum Vitae
Private and Confidential
Professional Framework
My career has been characterised by a transition into the child protection sector followed
by progression to professional practice leadership positions. This has been built on a solid
foundation in policy development, research and analytical based communication roles. I
achieve results based on the following frameworks:
Policy and Practice Framework
 Extensive analytical and research base capability to capitalise on existing
knowledge and models and adapt to current practice requirements
 Advanced and current working knowledge of best practice in the delivery of child
protection services influenced by significant barriers and challenges
 Demonstrated successful record in the assessment of legislation and drafting of
amendments that improve organisational capability and scope
 Focus on identifying and accepting challenges as an ongoing quality
management and continual improvement methodology
 Advanced commitment to ethical frameworks that drive performance and create
strategic alliance with major legislative and policy direction
Leadership and Management
 Extensive and proven communication and relationship management capability
with the capacity to create clear pathways that results in collaborative, partnership
based approaches to service delivery
 Proven strategic capability to align organisational performance with expected
outcomes based on legislation, performance standards and community need
 Successful record in creating focused, knowledgeable and empowered teams
across multi structured operational environments
 Holistic approach towards consulting with internal and external stakeholders to
create child protection frameworks that improve standards of service delivery
 Proactive and innovative methodologies that reviews performance, identifies
trends and drives continual quality improvement
 Capability to create a reflective organisational model that prioritises learning to
achieve required change necessary to the community need
Personal and Professional Qualities
 Demonstrated professional resilience shaped by exposure to a wide range of
working and personal environments
 Adaptable approach to the implementation of communication strategies
reflecting the audience and delivering clear and consistent messages
 Personal approach towards achieving results that drives performance and
continually maintains a focus on development and learning
 Demonstrated attention to detail, organisational capability and capacity to
achieve results in meeting conflicting priorities

3. JN
Jim Nicholls Curriculum Vitae
Private and Confidential
Professional Development
Certificates and Training
2011 Voc Grad Certificate Statutory Child Protection
TAFE Queensland
Voc Grad Certificate Client Assessment / Case Management
TAFE Queensland
2010 BSocWk (GE)
University of Queensland
2009 Working in Child and Family Welfare Unit (Distinction)
James Cook University
1991 Modern Social History (Dissertation Distinction)
MA Univ. of Lancaster
1988 BA (Hons) in Economics and Social Studies
University of East Anglia
Child Protection Practice Skill Certification:
 Cumulative Harm
 ICMS Training (data bases)
 Dept of Communities Practice Framework
 Case Recording
 Interviewing Children / Adults
 Risk Assessment
 Foundation in Culture “Indigenous Engagement”
 Suicide Prevention Young People
 Youth Suicide
 Child Sexual Abuse Offender Characteristics
 Contribute to Information Requirements in the Community Sector TAFE
 Working with Challenging Children
 Time Management
 Court Coordinator Induction / Court and Legal Issues Training
 Critical Induction Training
 Community Care Information System Training
 Drive and Recover 4WD (SISODRV302A)
 Critical Decision Making in Child Protection
Tickets / Licences
 Full Driving License/ Drive & Recover 4WD [SISODRV302A]
 Positive Notice Blue Card, Expiry: 21 November, 2017

4. JN
Jim Nicholls Curriculum Vitae
Private and Confidential
Employment History
May 2015 – Senior Advisor Child Safeguarding and Wellbeing
Contracted by Transfield Services Limited
Duties:
 Prepare policy, protocols and codes of conduct on behalf of the
Department of Immigration and Border Protection Child Protection
Branch.
 Advise the Governments of Nauru and Nauruan Director of Child
Protection on child protection policy and practice.
 Review and report on Transfield Services operations in respect to
policies and procedures for child safeguarding and wellbeing
 Review Nauruan law and policy and create consistent shared
child safeguarding and wellbeing frameworks. Liaison with the
Immigration Team in respect to DIBP reporting frameworks for
“abuse” and “harm” and preparation of correspondence and
best advice
 Advice and actions in response to the recommendations of the
Report of the Moss Review into the Nauru Processing Centre.
 Review outputs from the Senate Select Committee and Royal
Commission into responses to Child Abuse in respect to
consultation and submissions on "Child Safe Organisations".
 Draft the “Welfare Plan Next Steps” incorporating a schedule of
outcomes, actions and timeframes
 Author training encompassing legal frameworks, harm
identification, risk assessment, appropriate professional behaviors
and reporting
 Author Case Plan Workshop and the draft Individual Management
Plan template for case management on Manus Island
 Prepare the monthly case management audit for Nauru and
Manus RPCs in line with the TSL Performance Management
Framework.
 Draft and circulate thematic commentaries for practice
improvement based on the Audit and prepare timeframes for
actions in accordance with SMART planning principles
 Review the Statement of Tender Requirements and consult with
stakeholders in preparation for drafting the Child Safeguarding
and Wellbeing Protocol and Code of Conduct, associated
committee structures, forms and processes
 Review of the legislative requirements for recruitment and liaison
with the Australian Childhood Foundation in regard to
accreditation and preparation of the first draft for a TSL wide
Protocol and Code of Conduct for Working with Children
 Preparing briefings for Senior Management on child safeguarding
and wellbeing

5. JN
Jim Nicholls Curriculum Vitae
Private and Confidential
2014 – 2015 Contracted to SERIS
Dept. of Communities [Child Services] South East Regional Intake
Duties:
 Undertake research and conduct checks with professional
colleagues across health, policing and education to inform
decision making
 Applying professional knowledge and risk assessment frameworks
to reports and to determine response timeframes
 Triage reports alleging harm to children from the public, agencies
and mandatory reporters
 Localised trials presaging the implementation of the Community
Based Intake Response model across the state.
2012 – 2014 The Practice Adviser for Central Australia
Central Australia NT Office of Children and Families
Scope: Responsible for best practice for all areas of service delivery
across the Central region of the Northern Territory.
Duties:
 Report directly to the Regional Executive Director to proactively
predict problems and prepare pre-emptive responses
 Provide strategic advice and practical strategies to improve
outputs in relation to case planning, timely application of
structured decision-making tools and court services
 Develop or source training programs for staff on key areas such as
preparation of case notes and updating internal databases
 Guide and train staff on investigation techniques including the
application of risk identification and assessment practices
 Provide training to internal staff and external organisations on
mandatory reporting requirements
 Represent the department and provide information on the
process and practice that impacts on the community
 Undertake comprehensive reviews of contentious cases and
analyse each stage to identify potential gaps, policy issues,
implement new safeguards or training opportunities
 Provide direction, resources and training to three practice leaders
and quality control officers
 Apply strategy and practical process that prioritises quality control
mechanisms directly influencing practice and significantly
reducing the number of exceptions
 Influence best practice and provide pertinent and timely advice
and assistance to the Regional Director, work unit managers, team
leaders, field staff and service agencies

6. JN
Jim Nicholls Curriculum Vitae
Private and Confidential
 Promote evidence based best practice in line with legislation and
policy and sponsor continuous improvement
 Provide advice and support on policy, practice, theories and
legislative reforms to ensure culturally appropriate services
 Issue advice and practice directions to staff for the promotion and
uptake of quality assured practice
 Monitor service centre staff and agencies compliance across
Central Australia
 Coordinate interagency agency approaches to high risk child
protection matters to ensure a collaborative approach
 Operationalise an ethically sound practice framework for staff
 Organise complex case consultations with managers and staff
and provide advice and instruction for best practice
 Develop and implement systems of sound decision making and
professional frameworks predicated on predictive planning
principles and designed to meet compliance criteria
Projects:
 Review and assess legislation from other jurisdictions to redefine
the term “likelihood of harm” to “acceptable risk” to create a
more forward thinking approach to understanding potential future
risk
 Analyse delegation authorities to increase accountability and
provide a more streamlined approach towards assessment
 Investigate a model where community agencies can take
increased responsibility for case management tasks working with
children in the home
Working Groups:
 Practice Integrity Working Group: Examining policy and
complaints along with the Office of Children's Commissioner to
determine an appropriate course of action
 Legislative Reform Committee: Drafting a large percentage of
new amendments to the current legislation
 Practice Advice Committee: Working in collaboration with two
other Practice Advisors across the state
Achievements:
 Achieved significant amendments to legislation that improved
and influenced the role and scope of the Department
 Authored a groundbreaking paper on collaborative intervention
with the consent of parents currently being implemented to focus
on maintaining children in the home
 Significantly improved performance and maintaining case plans
for all children under the care of the Department
 Successfully completed 20 detailed case reviews

7. JN
Jim Nicholls Curriculum Vitae
Private and Confidential
 Achieved a significant reduction in case “drift” where action has
not been taken for a period of 90 days or more
2009 – 2012 A Court Coordinator / PO3
Department of Communities [Child Services] Mount Isa
Duties:
 Responsible for the delivery of front-line child protection services
across all areas of intake and assessment, investigations and
alternative care
 Directly contribute to the development of frameworks that create
a safe and secure environment for children
 Represent the Department in court to secure appropriate actions
 Prepare a range of court documentation and briefs
 Monitor all procedures and practices to ensure strict compliance
with Departmental strategic plan, vision, policies and code of
practice
 Provide guidance, support and supervision to colleagues
 Investigate and provide assistance with complex and contentious
cases
 Apply structured decision making tools and professional
judgement to apply appropriate interventions
 Identify community based and culturally appropriate support and
structures that assist in maintaining children in the home or cultural
group
 Develop and maintain a comprehensive understanding and
knowledge of the judicial system relevant to the child protection
framework
 Take responsibility for a range of case planning processes and
meetings
2006 – 2008 Full Time Study
2005 Publisher and Editor
Broadwater Broadsheet
Scope: Contributed to and published local community newssheets
delivering news, challenging view-points and interesting local
anecdotes.
2000 Political Consultant and Owner
Political Solutions
Scope: Offer a range of services including strategic communications,
campaign planning, lobbying and general public relations through
the review and up-date of key planks of the parliamentary program

8. JN
Jim Nicholls Curriculum Vitae
Private and Confidential
including providing assistance preparing policy papers on the
environment, urban development, transport and education.
1997 Head of Department
Politics International
Scope: Responsible for proactive political communication strategies
including forecasting, interpreting and seeking to inform the decision
making process on behalf of clients. Involved in all aspects of public
and governmental relations, facilitating effective government by
applying client led solutions to existing and new scenarios.
1997 Snr Political Adviser
United Kingdom Westminster Parliament
1995 Director
European Movement
1994 Chief Executive
Hill Farming Initiative
1992 Shadow Cabinet Researcher
UK Parliament
Referees
James Gatenby
Director
Department of Child Protection
Phone: 0419 679 617
E-mail: james.gatenby@cpfs.wa.gov.aunt.gov.au
Phillip Brooks
Director ATSI
Department of Communities
Phone: 0427 143233
E-mail: phillip.brooks@communities.qld.gov.au
John Yiannis
Executive General Manager Transfield Services Ltd
Phone: 0419 522335
E-mail: yiannisj@transfieldservices.com
Current employer – please advise before taking up this reference.