Court Child Expert (Social Worker or Psychologist)

at  Federal Court of Australia

POSITION OVERVIEW

Staff holding the position of Court Child Expert have a statutory appointment to the role of ‘family consultant’ as defined in Section 11 of the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth), and an authorisation to deliver services as a ‘family counsellor’ as defined in Section 10 of the Family Law Act 1975.

Court Child Experts undertake a range of duties including:

• conducting child-centred preliminary and comprehensive family assessments, including conducting interviews and observations with children
• assisting parties to resolve or narrow the issues in dispute between them, including by undertaking parenting dispute resolution conferences in collaboration with a Judicial Registrar
• providing evidence to the Courts as an expert witness in the form of written reports and/or oral testimony
• undertaking risk screening and risk assessment to assist in case management and safety planning
• providing advice to parties and the Courts regarding external support services for children and families
• participating in professional supervision and professional development activities

MANDATORY QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• A recognised degree in social work and eligibility for membership of the Australian Association of Social Workers, or general registration as a psychologist with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulatory Agency
• Five years’ post graduate, relevant clinical experience working with children and families
• A clearance for working with children as required within the relevant State/Territory scheme

DESIRABLE EXPERIENCE

• Working directly with children and families
• Conducting risk screening and family assessments
• Assisting people in resolving conflict
• Writing clinical, forensic or other forms of professional reports

KEY SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE (SELECTION CRITERIA)

• Extensive knowledge of child development, and the impact of separation, family violence and abuse, and high conflict on children and families.
• Extensive clinical experience with children and families, including a demonstrated ability to conduct child-centred, trauma-informed family assessments.
• Well-developed skills in assisting people to manage and resolve conflict.
• Demonstrated oral and written skills of a high standard.
• Willingness and capacity to reflect on one’s own clinical practice and to constructively participate in performance feedback, professional supervision and professional development activities.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a professional team within a legal system, including with court staff, the legal profession and the community services sector.
  Benefits

In addition to rewarding work and competitive remuneration, the Court Child Expert position offers the following benefits:

• A 15.4% employer superannuation contribution rate
• Salary packaging options
• Paid leave days between Christmas and New year, and three days after new year, in addition to the standard annual leave entitlement (4wks for full time).
• Twelve weeks of paid maternity leave and an additional two weeks of paid leave following that
• Access to study leave and other study assistance
• Flexible work arrangements including opportunities for home-based and part-time work
• Great working facilities, including private offices and dedicated child assessment rooms
• Safe and secure working environment on court premises
• Access to a raft of project and higher duties opportunities
• Opportunities to travel inter and intra- state for those interested in doing so
• Access to an extensive professional library
• Regular formal professional supervision
• An intensive induction program and ongoing training by Australian and international experts
• Strong team cultures and regular team building activities

PURPOSE OF RECRUITMENT

The Courts are seeking highly capable candidates who are enthusiastic and motivated to assist in achieving the Courts’ objectives and perform the functions of a Child Court Expert.
This recruitment is an exciting opportunity to be involved in a raft of new initiatives designed to enhance the Court’s focus on family violence and other risks, and lead to safe, and child-focussed outcomes for families. These initiatives include the ground breaking Lighthouse Project (Lighthouse overview), the inclusion of dispute resolution conferences into the case management pathway and the introduction of new roles, such as the Indigenous Family Liaison Officer, to support culturally appropriate processes and practices.

Court Child Experts undertake a range of duties including:

• conducting child-centred preliminary and comprehensive family assessments, including conducting interviews and observations with children
• assisting parties to resolve or narrow the issues in dispute between them, including by undertaking parenting dispute resolution conferences in collaboration with a Judicial Registrar
• providing evidence to the Courts as an expert witness in the form of written reports and/or oral testimony
• undertaking risk screening and risk assessment to assist in case management and safety planning
• providing advice to parties and the Courts regarding external support services for children and families
• participating in professional supervision and professional development activitie