Successful applicants must attend mandatory induction and training between 22/04/2026 and 11/05/2026

Forensic Residential Services - Careers Information Session: This is an information session for people who are interested in a career in Forensic Residential Services with the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing. Learn more about working in Forensic Residential Services and the impact you can make as a Therapeutic Support Officer. You will have the opportunity to meet staff working in Forensic Residential Services, learn about the recruitment process, training, and career pathways, and ask any questions you may have.

When: Monday 9th February

Where: Online on Microsoft Teams

Time: 11.00am - 12.30pm

To register for the information session, email your name and contact details to: Kara.Gill@dffh.vic.gov.au Phone: 0402 891 856

THE ROLE

Therapeutic Support Officers are key contributors to the secure treatment and care of people with an intellectual disability who have come to the facility through the criminal justice system. But our work doesn't stop there. We also aim to treat people and to help them gain enriched prospects and life skills while in a secure facility, so that once released, they can make a pro-social and constructive contribution to the community. Therapeutic Support Officer provide residents with leadership, advice, support and guidance. Being a positive role model, having a positive impact on the resident's lives, and seeing resident behaviour change for the better can be very rewarding.

Being a Therapeutic Support Officer provides a great sense of purpose. You're doing two important things for the community: you're supporting vulnerable people and keeping the community safe. You are helping them unpack those underlying issues that are resulting in them coming into a secure treatment facility, and you're helping people who have engaged in offending behaviour to take the first steps to becoming more positive contributors to our shared lives.

As a Therapeutic Support Officer you will be responsible for the day-to-day supervision of residents in a secure environment while also maintaining good order and the security of the facility. This is achieved through strict supervision of residents in a residential setting, where you will work directly with residents on a day-to-day basis.  The work includes escort duties, observing and assessing resident behaviour, supporting residents implement treatment tasks, operating security equipment and effectively responding to incidents. The role also involves collating and providing information, writing case files, being part of a care team and preparing a variety of reports.

Therapeutic Support Officers are also responsible for contributing to resident's rehabilitation, encouraging residents to establish goals for themselves and to begin engaging in positive behavioural change.

ACCOUNTABILITIES INCLUDE

Operating at DDSO1 level, you will:

• Directly support client wellbeing, including support with daily household activities, preparation and assistance with meals, personal care, and social, recreational and community experiences that enhance quality of life, based on support plan goals.
• Manage and assist as part of a team incidents related to challenging behaviours and implementing behaviour support strategies and positive behaviour support plans according to legislative requirements
• Understand client needs, preferences and interests and respond to clients and their families and others in their lives.
  
  

Operating at DDSO2 level, you will perform all the above together with increasing involvement to:

• Contribute to the day-to-day running of the group home and help maintain service accounts.
• Utilise well-developed communication skills to identify client needs, liaise with other service providers, stakeholders and significant others.
• Administer medication treatments and therapies according to prescribed protocols or otherwise, seek appropriate medical assistance

Please open the position description to read more.

This is an NDIS Risk Assessed Role / This is a Key Personnel Role. 
Staff appointed to this role at the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing may not commence in role until they have an NDIS Worker Screening Clearance and have provided this detail for recording. 
For more information on what this means, and all other requirements, please see the Position Description.

This role requires a Working with Children Check. 
Further advice on obtaining this check can be found here: https://www.vic.gov.au/working-with-children-check 
For more information on what this means, and all other requirements, please see the Position Description.

HOW TO APPLY

Applicants are encouraged to apply online. Attachments can be uploaded in .doc, .docx, .pdf, .txt or .rtf formats.
Applicants are required to submit a CV and Cover Letter (max 2 pages) outlining their suitability to the role in line with the Key Selection Criteria. 
Applicants must be an Australian Citizen, Permanent Resident or hold a valid work permit or visa. Work eligibility will be checked as part of the recruitment process. 
Preferred candidates will be required to complete pre-employment screening, including a national police check and misconduct screening.

For more information on working with us and our recruitment process, please visit Department of Families, Fairness and Housing Victoria | Jobs (www.dffh.vic.gov.au/jobs)

Please apply to submit your interest in this position.