Family Violence Respondent Practitioner

**About Us**

The Magistrates' Court of Victoria (MCV) is a jurisdiction within the Court Services Victoria statutory authority and has a long history of providing justice for the people of Victoria in metropolitan and regional courts across the state. The Court determines in excess of 300,000 cases per annum at 51 venues, equating to approximately 90 percent of all cases that come before Victorian courts each year. The Court aims to be an innovative, accessible, and responsive court that provides quality services to the Victorian community.

**About the Role**

The Family Violence Respondent Practitioner (FVRP) works with the Family Violence Applicant Practitioner (FVAP), Family Violence Regsitrar (FVR), other court registrars, police prosecutors, lawyers, and court support services, will liaise with community-based support services, and may be required to provide information to Magistrates in a courtroom. The FVRP will establish and maintain relationships with community agencies and support services so effective referrals are made to ensure the safety of family violence applicants. The FVRP will also be required to support the continuous improvement of the Court's response to family violence.

Key accountabiluties include:

- Conducting Court ordered assessments and referring Respondents to external ongoing support, case management services and programs to address accountability, behaviour change and other issues contributing to the risk of further family violence
- Providing information to Magistrates in relation to Respondents and the availability of appropriate services and programs
- Conveying specialist family violence concepts and court procedures to Respondents, staff, and stakeholders
- Maintaining accurate, confidential Respondents records including managing information sharing, privacy, confidentiality, and consent
- Contributing to and representing the MCV at regular meetings and committees with internal and external stakeholders
- Updating internal case management and recording systems and preparing reports as required for management regarding services provided (including data of persons supported, support given, referrals made), external communications and meetings attended.

This role may be required to travel to other courts and locations for family violence related meetings, duties and coverage of other Courts and Practitioners

**About You**
- Relevant tertiary qualifications in social work, psychology, social sciences, criminal justice, or other related field is highly desirable, in addition to demonstrated strong experience working with people who have perpetrated family violence
- Graduate Certificate Social Science: Male Family Violence is highly regarded
- Demonstrated experience and skills in the provision of support, crisis containment, risk assessment, and case coordination
- Demonstrated ability to promote client accountability and identify and work against collusion
- Demonstrated understanding of the Family Violence Protection Act 2008, risk assessment and management framework and Victoria Police Code of Practice
- A sound understanding of homelessness and housing, legal, financial, AOD service, mental health, cognitive impairment, and other issues and needs that can exacerbate family violence risk is desirable
- An awareness of intersectionality when providing services to minority groups is desirable

**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.