Assessment & Referral Practitioner

**About Us**

Court Services Victoria (CSV) is a public entity established by the Court Services Victoria Act 2014 to provide expert administrative support to Victoria's courts: the Supreme Court, the County Court, the Magistrates' Court, the Children's Court, and the Coroner's Court, as well as the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal and the Judicial College of Victoria.
The Magistrates' Court of Victoria (MCV) is a jurisdiction within the Court Services Victoria statutory authority. MCV determines over 300,000 cases per annum at 51 (metropolitan and regional) venues and across a range of jurisdictions (including criminal, civil, family law, family violence and specialist courts and programs).

MCV's vision is to deliver the highest standard of justice to the community we serve. We have along history of providing justice for Victorians and an ongoing commitment to building the community's confidence in a fair and responsive justice system.
Specialist Courts and Programs (SCP) are the MCV Directorate responsible for driving the implementation and development of solution-focused and therapeutic approaches to justice. Our specialist responses address the underlying causes of offending behaviour and stop the “revolving door” of returning to court for individuals. Current services include Court Support and Diversion Services (CISP, ARC, CROP, Criminal Justice Diversion), Drug Court, Koori Court, the Neighbourhood Justice Centre and the Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal.
Court Support Services programs include the Court Integrated Services Program (CISP), the Assessment and Referral Court (ARC) and the CISP Remand Outreach Program (CROP). These programs provide a range of initiatives to assist accused persons and others involved in the court system, who are experiencing issues of social or cultural disadvantage, including substance abuse, disability, mental illness, or cognitive impairment. These programs utilise a client-centred and problem-solving approach that empowers clients to engage with their rehabilitation and achieve positive behavioural change. CROP positions are based at one of these locations: Melbourne Assessment Prison, Dame Phyllis Frost Centre, Metropolitan Remand Centre, Ravenhall Correctional Centre, Marngoneet Correctional Centre and outreaching to HM Prison Barwon and Karreenga.

SCP priorities include expanding Specialist Courts and Programs, engaging with the community and improving the court user experience. We work collaboratively with the Department of Justice and Community Safety, Department of Health and Human Services, Victoria Police, community agencies and the Victorian community to support community safety outcomes.

**About the Role**

This role undertakes assessments and brief, post-release case planning to people on remand who present with a range of complex needs to support their transition back into the community. The role is based in prisons and works closely with court based programs. Travel to different prison and court locations is required.

**About You**
- Extensive experience in the assessment of and support planning for clients with complex needs
- Demonstrated capacity to provide a culturally responsive and inclusive service to clients
- Extensive knowledge of treatment and support options for clients with complex needs
- Tertiary qualification (minimum Diploma level highly desirable) related to case management practice with forensic clients; such as social work, psychology, welfare, drug and alcohol or another related field and/or relevant experience

**How to apply**
- resume
- a short cover letter

**Other information**

CSV is the employer of staff at Courts Group. CSV has a firm commitment through its Koori Employment Plan to increase participation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across our workforce.

We value the unique backgrounds, experiences, and contributions that each person brings to our community and encourage and celebrate diversity. Those from the LGBTQIA+ community, women, people of all ages, with disabilities, culturally and linguistically diverse people, and those who are neurodiverse, are encouraged to apply.

We aim to create a workforce that reflects the community in which we live.