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 interest.
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 recent 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 see the roll out of a number of further exciting initiatives, focussing on family violence and child safety, in which the Court Child Expert will play a key role.
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 and/or oral testimony
- undertaking risk screening and risk assessment to assist in case management and safety planning
- assisting parties to resolve or narrow the issues in dispute through participation in parenting conferences or other dispute resolution processes
- 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:
- An additional three days of paid leave following the Christmas/New Year shutdown period
- A 15.4% employer superannuation contribution rate
- Salary packaging options
- Flexible work arrangements including opportunities for home-based and part-time work
- Access to an extensive professional library
- Twelve weeks of paid maternity leave and an additional two weeks of paid leave following that
- Great working facilities
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 post graduate, relevant clinical experience working with children and families
- A clearance for working with children as required within the relevant state/territory scheme
More Information
For more information on the position, and application requirements, please visit the court’s website by clicking on the Apply button.
A merit/talent pool may be created from this process, which may be used to fill similar vacancies over the next 18 months.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply.
Applications close 9am, 1 December 2022.