The Department of Education, Mallee Area has the following vacancy available:

Position: Respectful Relationships Liaison Officer

Full Time and Ongoing

Location: Mallee Area (Mildura or Swan Hill)

About the Role

Family Violence

The Victorian Government has made a significant commitment to addressing and preventing family violence by accepting all of the 227 recommendations passed down by the Royal Commission into Family Violence. The Royal Commission highlighted the vital role Victorian schools and early childhood services play in preventing and addressing family violence, recommending that that Government mandate respectful relationships education into every Government school (Foundation to Year 12) and Kindergarten in Victoria, implemented though an evidence based whole school/setting approach.

Respectful Relationships promotes positive attitudes and behaviours among children and young people, and is aimed at preventing family violence. It is the Government's vision that “by having this program in all Victorian schools and kindergartens our students will learn at a very young age that the best relationships are respectful ones."

Implementation of the Royal Commission's key recommendation to mandate respectful relationships education in all Victorian government schools is supported by 34 positions across the Department's regional offices. A dedicated Respectful Relationships Unit in the Wellbeing, Health and Engagement Division of the Department and will work closely with regional staff.

As part of a statewide team embedded in local areas, 17 Respectful Relationships Project Leads are located within the Department's 17 learning places across Victoria to support and drive the delivery of the Respectful Relationships commitment.

Respectful Relationships promotes positive attitudes and behaviours among children and young people, and is aimed at preventing family violence. to prevent and respond to children and young people and staff witnessing or experiencing violence.

This role will include providing advice about evidence based approaches and interventions, coordination of response, liaison with specialist servcies as well as working to embed systematic approaches and integrated processes in schools for effective family violence response and referrals.

Experience as an allied health professional and specialist knowledge and experience in the area of family violence is desirable for this role, along with strong stakeholder engagement skills. A comprehensive knowledge of the Victorian education system is also desirable.

In addition, the Liaison Officer will need to have a good understanding of the current issues and opportunities related to family violence intervention and responses, as well as Respectful Relationships, in both early childhood and schools.

Further Information

For more details regarding this position please see attached position description for the capabilities to address in application.

The department values diversity and inclusion in all forms - gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQ+, disability and neurodiversity. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. For more information about our work, working for the Department, diversity and inclusion, and our employment conditions visit the Department website and our Diversity and Inclusion page

Applicants requiring adjustments can contact the nominated contact person.

Information about the Department of Education's operations and employment conditions can be located at www.education.vic.gov.au. 

For further information, please contact Catherine Murphy, Health, Wellbeing and Specialist Services Manager via catherine.murphy3@education.vic.gov.au or 0417 077 109.

Preferred applicants may be required to complete a police check and may be subject to other pre-employment checks. Information provided to the Department of Education will be treated in the strictest confidence.

Please let us know via phone or email if you require any adjustments to ensure your full participation in the recruitment process or if you need the ad or any attachments in an accessible format (e.g large print) due to any viewing difficulties or other accessibility requirements.

Applications close 11:59pm on 19 January 2025.