Child Witness Officer

Utilise your expertise to provide support and advice to the Victim Services Support and Reform branch.
- 4 x Ongoing, Full-Time Opportunity to work with a high-performing and passionate team in the Victorian Public Service
- VPS Grade 4: $90,067 - $102,192 plus superannuation.

About the Business Unit
The Victim Services, Support and Reform (VSSR) branch is part of the Service Delivery Reform, Coordination and Workplace Safety group in the Department of Justice and Community Safety. The VSSR 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.

About the Role
The CWS is a state wide 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 CWS 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.

**The CWS**:

- Provide specialist end-to-end case management of child witnesses' contact with the criminal justice system.
- Provide information to child witnesses and their families about the criminal justice system, how it works, their role as a witness and the roles and responsibilities of other people involved in the criminal justice system.
- Work collaboratively with external agencies providing support to child witnesses and their families, including: Intermediaries providing expert communication or developmental assessments; legal teams; police; and courts, to support child witnesses.
- Has clients located regionally and in Melbourne. As such, regional travel across Victoria is required, often requiring overnight stays.

About You
- Extensive experience in the provision of direct services to children who have experienced trauma.
- Demonstrated experience in working in community and/or Court based settings.
- Sound knowledge of child development and the impact of trauma and abuse on child development.

Qualification/Requirements
- Tertiary Qualifications in a human services related profession such as Social Work, Psychology or Allied Health and registration with the appropriate body is highly desirable.
- A current ‘Working with Children Check' will be required on commencement.
- A current driver's licence is essential.

How to Apply

**FOR INTERNAL VPS EMPLOYEES**:
**IMPORTANT INFORMATION**:
The department is committed to providing and maintaining a working environment which is safe and without risk to the health of its employees consistent with the department's obligations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (Vic). Therefore, there is a requirement that all DJCS employees be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to undertake duties outside of their homes.

Prior to commencement of employment with the department you will need to provide evidence that you are vaccinated against COVID-19.

Upon commencement of employment with the department you will be required to provide evidence that you have an up-to-date vaccination status within the timelines specified by the department into the DJCS Service Portal. This includes evidence of all doses of a COVID-19 vaccine required by the department (from time to time).

**Acceptable evidence includes**:
COVID-19 digital certificate or ATAGI exemption certificate (available via your myGov account)

Your immunisation history statement (available via your myGov account)

Other documentation outside the above will not be accepted as evidence of having received your COVID-19 vaccine doses.