Court Child Expert (Social Worker or Psychologist)

Jurisdiction:Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (FCFCOA)

Classification: APS Executive Level 1

Job Type: Ongoing/Non-ongoing, Part-time/Full-time

Salary: $122,132 - $131,899 per annum including superannuation

Location: Parramatta

What is a Court Child Expert?

Court Child Experts (formerly known as Family Consultants) are experienced Social Workers and psychologists who are passionate about the wellbeing of children.

The Court Child Expert plays a unique and critical role within Australia’s family law system through the provision of specialist, social science expertise, to assist families and the Court in making decisions that are in children’s best interests.  

Court Child Experts have a statutory appointment to the role of ‘family consultant’, as it is defined in Section 11 Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) (FLA), and an authorisation to deliver services as a ‘family counsellor’ as defined in Section 10 FLA.

Why become a Court Child Expert?

With the 2021 launch of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, this is an exciting opportunity to be part of the largest family court reforms since the introduction of the FLA. These reforms have seen the Court Children’s Service playing an active part in a number of world leading initiatives designed to ensure safe and effective outcomes for children and families. Key to this has been the expansion of the Court Child Expert role to include dispute resolution. This coming year will also see all Court Child Experts playing a key role in the expanded Lighthouse Project, which provides early risk identification and specialised case management for high-risk matters. 

New Court Child Experts are provided with a supportive and structured induction program. In addition, high quality professional development (including in dispute resolution), and ongoing professional supervision, is provided to all Court Child Experts.

What does a Court Child Expert do?

Court Child Experts undertake a range of activities within the provisions of the FLA including:

• conducting child-centred preliminary and comprehensive family assessments, including conducting interviews and observations with children.
• providing evidence to the Courts as an expert witness in the form of written reports. 
• undertaking risk screening and risk assessment to assist in case management and safety planning.
• assisting parties to resolve or narrow the issues in dispute including through participation in parenting dispute resolution conferences. 
• providing advice to parties and the Courts regarding external support services for children and families.

Other great reasons to become a Court Child Expert

In addition to rewarding work and competitive remuneration, the Court Child Expert position offers the following benefits:

• A 15.4% employer superannuation contribution rate.
• Salary packaging options.
• Paid leave on the working days between Christmas and New Year, and three working days after New Year, in addition to the standard annual leave entitlement (4 weeks for full time).
• Twelve weeks of paid maternity leave and an additional two weeks of paid leave following that.
• Access to study leave and other study assistance.
• Flexible work arrangements including opportunities for home-based and part-time work.
• Great working facilities, including private offices and dedicated child assessment rooms.
• Safe and secure working environment on court premises.
• Access to a raft of project and higher duties opportunities.
• Opportunities to travel inter and intra state for those interested in doing so.
• Access to an extensive professional library.
• Regular formal professional supervision.
• An intensive induction program and ongoing training by Australian and international experts.
• Strong team cultures and regular team building 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.
• Five years, postgraduate, relevant clinical experience working with children and families.
• A clearance for working with children as required within the relevant State/Territory scheme.

Want to learn more?

Enquiries

Confidential enquiries about the role can also be made by emailing ************@fcfcoa.gov.au. Please provide the location you are interested in within your email so that your enquiry can be responded to by the most appropriate staff member. 

Info package

For an information package, which includes the position description, please visit the Court's website at Federal Court of Australia Jobs

Applications Close Sunday 24 March 2024