Family Violence Applicant Practitioner

**About us**

Court Services Victoria provides corporate services and facilities to support the performance of the judicial, quasi-judicial and administrative functions of Victoria's courts and tribunal, Judicial College and Judicial Commission. Collectively, Victoria's Supreme, County, Magistrates', Children's, and Coroners courts, the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT), the Judicial College of Victoria, the Judicial Commission of Victoria, and Court Services Victoria (CSV) are referred to as the 'Courts Group'.

Our people enable the Courts Group to deliver on each jurisdictions own strategic priorities while also pursuing strategic opportunities that are interconnected and deliver benefits more broadly.

The Magistrates' Court of Victoria (MCV) is the first level of the Victorian court system and is a jurisdiction within the Court Services Victoria. It 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 locations, 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**

We are seeking a skilled and compassionate **Family Violence Applicant Practitioner (FVAP)** to join the family violence team at the Shepparton Magistrates' Court. This role is integral to the Court's response to family violence and works alongside the Family Violence Registrar (FVR) and Family Violence Respondent Practitioner (FVRP) to provide non-legal support and safety planning for individuals attending court.

The FVAP conducts risk assessments, develops safety plans, and facilitates referrals to community-based services for ongoing support. The role also involves liaising with legal professionals, police prosecutors, and support services, and may include providing information to Magistrates in court.

**Key Responsibilities**
- Conduct risk assessments and develop safety plans for individuals experiencing family violence.
- Provide non-legal information and referrals to support services, counselling, and case management.
- Consider the needs of children and make appropriate referrals to child protection services.
- Liaise with internal and external stakeholders including legal services, police, and court staff.
- Maintain accurate and confidential client records, ensuring compliance with privacy and consent protocols.
- Represent the Court at stakeholder meetings and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives.
- Prepare reports and contribute to education and training for internal and external services.

**Our benefits**
- We care about your health and wellbeing and have partnered with Fitness Passport, an initiative that allows you to access significantly discounted fitness membership program
- A range of flexible working arrangements
- Peer Support Program designed to help create a safe and supportive workplace where colleagues look out for each other
- Koori staff network to enhance support for Koori staff and ensure that appropriate networks and services are readily available
- Ongoing professional development within a collaborative and supportive work environment

**About you**
- Be passionate about supporting people experiencing family violence.
- Strong skills and experience in engaging effectively with individuals and conducting risk assessments.
- Demonstrated experience in providing support, safety planning, and referrals within the family violence service system.
- Sound understanding of the **Family Violence Protection Act 2008**, risk assessment frameworks, and relevant court procedures.
- Tertiary qualifications in **social work, psychology, social sciences**, or a related field (highly desirable).
- Experience working with diverse communities and an understanding of intersectionality in service delivery (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.