Description:
- Full time, fixed term opportunity until 30 June 2027 based in Melbourne
- VPS 5 - salary range $113,022 - $136,747 plus superannuation
- Lead a team positively impacting the outcomes of children and young people with a disability within the Youth Justice system
About us
Youth Justice supervises children and young people who are in the criminal justice system and strives to:
- reduce offending by children and young people and improve community safety
- work with others to provide genuine opportunities for children and young people to turn their lives around
Children and young people with a cognitive disability are significantly over-represented within the justice system and understanding their unique and individual support needs is imperative to addressing their risk of recidivism.
The provision of effective support to children and young people with disabilities in Youth Justice is essential in working towards positive outcomes and ensuring that this cohort doesn't become entrenched in the criminal justice system.
The Disability Advisory Team performs a clinical oversight function by delivering services informed by evidence-based research that are safe and inclusive for all children and young people with disability within Youth Justice.
The opportunity
The Senior Disability Practice Advisor is responsible for leadership and guidance to a multidisciplinary team for the planning and delivery of support and services delivered by the team.
In addition, the incumbent will:
- provide expert advice regarding the NDIS-Justice interface and establish relevant professional networks/ approaches to support the provision of advice.
- drive the improvement of service delivery and outcomes for children and young people with disability by conducting case reviews of high-risk young people with complex presentations to inform specialist advice.
- provide expert clinical advice to operational areas to support system improvements and outcomes for young people with a disability.
- facilitate disability specific training to Youth Justice staff, contributing to Communities of Practice (CoPs) or events and identifying professional development opportunities in response to operational and young people needs.
About you
To be successful in this role, you will have:
- A tertiary qualification in psychology, occupational therapy, speech pathology, social work, forensic disability, community services or related field.
- Demonstrated experience in providing leadership within a highly complex service delivery area, preferably in relation to people with disability and complex needs.
- Demonstrated knowledge and experience in evidence-based approaches and current trends in delivering effective services to children and young people with a disability in the justice system to understand forensic risk, reduce recidivism and improve quality of life.
- Knowledge and understanding of the characteristics and impact of disability and demonstrated experience in providing psycho-education to a broad audience of professionals
- Knowledge and understanding of the Children, Youth and Families Act 2005, Disability Act 2006 and National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013 .
- Knowledge and understanding of key plans and strategies setting the direction of disability support and improvement within the justice service system including the Inclusive Victoria State Disability Plan , the Autism State Plan and the Australian Disability Strategy.
You will be required to obtain a Working with Children Check, which you will need to maintain for the period of employment.
To learn more about the type of skills you will need to thrive in this role, please read the position description.
What's in it for you?
You will be working for the Department of Justice and Community Safety, which is one arm of the Victorian State Government, a recognised top employer of choice nationally. All our staff work to the vision of a safe, just, innovative and thriving Victoria.
There are many advantages in working for the department, including:
- Job stability – position as a member of the Victorian Public Service (VPS).
- A fair salary – enjoy great work conditions and salary sacrificing options.
- Transparent performance framework – approach your work with confidence in how you're tracking, working to professional development plans agreed on by you and your manager.
- Generous leave entitlements – provisions for many forms of leave; including personal, parental, carers, study, cultural, compassionate, and sick leave.
- Employee Assistance Program support – you are encouraged to use this short-term, confidential counselling service if you're experiencing emotional stress, relationship problems, conflict with others or personal issues. It is also available for financial counselling and retirement planning.
If you have any queries, please contact Loren Coburn on 0487 523 097 or Loren.Coburn@justice.vic.gov.au.
Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply.
Applicants are welcome to utilise support from the Aboriginal Recruitment Team throughout the recruitment process. Aboriginal candidates are encouraged to contact Aboriginalrecruitment@justice.vic.gov.au if they would like cultural support and guidance through the application process.
For Aboriginal Designated and Prioritised positions, a Certificate of Aboriginality (CoA) will be required prior to an offer of employment being made
We want to make sure all Victorians feel represented by the department's work. One of the ways we do this is by recruiting a diverse workforce – we welcome people of any gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability and cultural background. We are also committed to the Victorian Government's promise to increase the number of veterans working in the public sector.
We're proud of our individual differences. We're proud of the many languages we speak and the stories we can share with each other. We hope you will share your story too.
If this sounds like a compelling job that you believe your skills would be a great match for, please APPLY NOW. Applications close 11.59pm, Tuesday 10 June 2025.
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 national police checks and misconduct screening.
If you require adjustments to the recruitment and selection process, or require an alternative format to any of the application material, please don't hesitate to get in touch with the contact 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 recognised 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.