• Help children and young people through the court process with care.
• Support child witnesses and families during an important time in their lives.
• Travel across Victoria and build trusted relationships with children and families.
• Use your skills to reduce trauma and improve access to justice.
• Fixed term role until December 2027, full-time earning $100,894 - $114,476 per year, plus super.

About Us

The Victims, Redress and System Reform (VRSR) branch is part of the Police, Racing, Victims and Coordination group in the Department of Justice and Community Safety (DJCS). The VRSR 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.

What you will do

As practitioner, child and youth witness service, you will support child witnesses and their families through the criminal justice system.

You will provide child-focused case management and help children feel informed, prepared and supported.

You will:

• provide specialist case management for child witnesses and their families
• assess individual needs and tailor court preparation to support each child
• prepare children for court, explain the process and provide compassionate support before, during and after giving evidence
• work with legal teams, courts, police and support services to help children access the right support
• maintain accurate records, complete administrative tasks and contribute to the day-to-day work of the service.

About you

You must hold tertiary qualifications in a human service profession such as social work, psychology or allied health. A current Working with Children Check and a current driver's licence are required. Registration with the appropriate professional body is desirable.

You should also have:

• extensive experience supporting children who have experienced trauma
• sound knowledge of child development and the impact of trauma and abuse
• strong communication skills and experience working in community or court settings
• good judgement, respectful teamwork and the ability to adapt to changing situations.

To learn even more about this role, please read the position description. If you have any further questions, feel free to email Laura De Losa at [email protected] using the subject line: Practitioner enquiry via EthicalJobs.

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander (Aboriginal) people are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about our Aboriginal workforce strategy.

How to apply

Please click the 'Apply Now' 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.

A position description is attached.