About Us

The Children's Court Clinic (Clinic) is an independent, state-wide service established by Section 37(1) of the Children's and Young Person's Act 1989 (Vic) and continued in operation by Section 546(1) of the Children, Youth and Families Act 2005 (the Act). It conducts assessments and provides reports on children and their families at the request of ChCV magistrates across Victoria, pursuant to Section 547 of the Act. These assessments assist the judiciary with their decision-making in cases before the Court. The Clinic also has a small treatment function in selected cases and is a teaching facility.

The Clinic has a large clinical team of highly qualified and experienced professionals comprising clinical and forensic psychologists, neuropsychologists, developmental and educational psychologists and consultant psychiatrists, who all have specialist knowledge in the areas of Child Protection and juvenile offending, in addition to a small administrative team.

The Family Division of the ChCV has the power to hear a range of applications and to make a variety of orders upon finding that a child is in need of protection, or that there are irreconcilable differences between a child and his or her parents. In the Family Division, the court also has jurisdiction to hear applications relating to intervention orders pursuant to the Family Violence Protection Act 2008 and the Personal Safety Intervention Orders Act 2010 where the “affected family member” (family violence matters) or “affected person” (personal safety matters), or the respondent is a child. The ChCV may also hear and determine an intervention order application when both parties are adults if there is a related child protection proceeding.

The Criminal Division of the ChCV has jurisdiction to hear and determine summarily all offences (other than murder, attempted murder, manslaughter, child homicide, defensive homicide, culpable driving causing death and arson causing death) where the alleged offender was under the age of 18 but of or above the age of 10 years at the time the offence was committed and under the age of 19 when proceedings were commenced in the court.

The Children's Koori Court (Criminal Division) has jurisdiction to hear matters relating to criminal offending by Koori children and young persons, other than sexual offences.

About the Role

This role involves the provision of independent clinical assessments for magistrates predominantly in Family Division matters in the ChCV. Such assessments typically involve interviewing children, adolescents and parents presenting with a myriad of clinical issues, including trauma, ruptures in attachment, mental illness, substance use and parenting difficulties leading to safety concerns pertaining to vulnerable children.

Given the varied and wide range of clinical presentations and forensic issues presenting to the Clinic which cross different developmental stages (i.e. infants, children, adolescents and adults), it is not expected that candidates will possess skills in every domain. However, a minimum of clinical experience and clinical skills relating to assessing either infants and/or children in addition to adult mental health is required, as well as experience and skills in working with vulnerable families.

About You

• Must hold a postgraduate qualification and at least five years of professional experience required.
• Experience in conducting clinical and/or forensic assessments with young people and families is essential.
• Skills in evaluating risks and family dynamics, especially for cases involving criminal charges or child safety concerns, are needed.
• Expertise in clinical assessments for infants, children, or adolescents, and/or adult mental health, is important.
• Knowledge of Child Protection, Family Violence, or Youth Justice in Victoria would be advantageous.

How to apply

Click the ‘Apply Now' button, ensuring you include the following in your application:

• resume 
• a short cover letter

Other information

The Children's Court Clinic offers employees flexible working options, including the opportunity for some work from home days, along with flexibility of working hours. Additionally, the Clinic team strives to provide a supportive environment to all staff. 

Access to a wide range of professional development opportunities is also provided, as well as guidance around developing risk assessment skills, as well as support for providing evidence in Court should this be requested. This role would be suited to someone who is able to work autonomously, but who also enjoys being part of a collaborative and supportive team, based on the development of strong working relationships with colleagues and peers.

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.