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 (Cth).
Key Responsibilities and Duties
- Conducting child-centred preliminary and comprehensive family assessments, including conducting interviews and observations with children.
- Undertaking risk screening and risk assessment to assist in case management, safety planning and the making of decisions that are in the best interest of 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.
- 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.
- Minimum five years’ relevant clinical experience working with children and families (note this relevant experience must be subsequent to the acquisition of the relevant degree qualification).
- A clearance for working with children as required within the relevant State/Territory scheme.
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.
Eligibility
Employment with the Court is subject to the conditions prescribed in the Public Service Act 1999, and the following:
- Australian citizenship – the successful applicant must hold Australian citizenship.
- Security and character clearance – the successful applicant must satisfy a Police Records Check and may also be required to complete security clearances during the course of their employment.
- Successful applicants engaged into the APS will be subject to a probation period.
Interested candidates who have received a redundancy benefit from an APS agency are welcome to apply, but note that they cannot be engaged until their redundancy benefit period has expired.
Diversity and Inclusion
Federal Court Australia is committed to supporting an inclusive and diverse workforce and welcomes and encourages applications from People with Disability. First Nations peoples, LGBTIQA+ people, people from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse backgrounds, Mature age workers, as well as young workers and supporting an inter-generational workforce and supporting gender equity and families.
Federal Court Australia will provide reasonable adjustments for candidates to participate equitably in the recruitment process and discuss workplace adjustments to fulfil the inherent requirements of the role.
RecruitAbility
RecruitAbility applies to this vacancy. Under the RecruitAbility scheme you will be invited to participate in further assessment activity for the vacancy if you choose to apply under the scheme; declare you have a disability; and meet the minimum requirements for the job. For more information visit: https://www.apsc.gov.au/recruitability
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply.
Contact Officer
For any questions, please contact Charlotte Morrison at Charlotte.Morrison@fcfcoa.gov.au or (02) 6113 9451.
Apply now!
