Description:
About Us:
The Victim Services, Support and Reform (VSSR) branch is part of the Police, Racing, Victims and Coordination group in the Department of Justice and Community Safety (DJCS). The VSSR is responsible for coordinating a suite of services for victims of crime that provide information and support to help manage the effects of crime and guide victims through the criminal justice system across Victoria. The Child and Youth Witness Service (CYWS) is a statewide specialist case management service for child witnesses (up to 18 years at the time charges were laid) and their families and/or carers.
The model of care is child-focused and incorporates principles of trauma-informed care. The purpose of the CYWS is to increase participation by child witnesses in the criminal justice process and to reduce trauma associated with being involved with the criminal justice system, particularly being a child witness. The CYWS is non-investigative and does not provide comment on the evidence of child witnesses or provide legal advice.
About the Role:
Reporting to the Team Manager, the Practitioner, CYWS is responsible for delivering intensive specialist case management to child witnesses and their families with complex presentations, supporting and mentoring Child and Youth Witness Practitioners to develop their skills, knowledge, and expertise, and developing practice innovation and driving continuous practice improvement.
Approximately 40% of CYWS clients are located in regional locations. Regular regional travel across Victoria is required, often requiring overnight stays. There may be some occasions when working from home is required.
Responsibilities:
- Quickly build rapport with children and adolescents and their families/carers and understand child development and the possible impacts on children of being subjected to (or witnessing) violent crimes.
- Assess child witnesses' specific needs that may affect their participation in the criminal justice process and tailor court preparation to the child's individual needs.
- Provide information to the legal team (Office of Public Prosecutions, Police Prosecutions) about the individual needs of child witnesses to assist in improving how the criminal justice system accommodates the needs and concerns of child witnesses and their families/carers.
About You:
To be successful in this role, you will have:
- Extensive experience in providing direct services to children who have experienced trauma.
- Demonstrated experience in community and/or court-based settings.
- Sound knowledge of child development and the impact of trauma and abuse on child development.
Qualifications:
- Tertiary qualifications in a human service-related profession such as Social Work, Psychology, or Allied Health are essential, and registration with the appropriate body is desirable.
- A current 'Working with Children Check' is required.
- A current driver's license is required.
How to Apply:
Please click the Apply button on this advertisement. Applications should include a resume and covering letter. Attachments can be uploaded in .doc, .docx, .pdf, .txt, or .rtf formats.
The successful candidate will be required to undergo pre-employment checks which may include a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check (NCCHC) and misconduct screening.
If you require adjustments to the recruitment and selection process, or need an alternative format to any of the application material, please contact the person listed on this ad.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
CHILD SAFE STATEMENT OF COMMITMENT:
The Department of Justice and Community Safety is committed to the safety and wellbeing of children and young people. We seek to prevent harm of any kind impacting children and young people and have zero tolerance for racism, child abuse, and inequality. Children and young people's rights, relationships, identity, and culture must be recognized and respected, their voices heard, and their concerns acted upon. We aim to foster a culturally safe, child-safe, and child-friendly environment for all children and young people we have contact with, deliver services to, or are impacted by our work.