The Senior Advisor, Restorative Engagement and School Support branch will play a crucial role supporting and advising school leaders to manage incidents relating to child sexual abuse allegations, charges or findings against an adult working in the school (focussing on support for any victim survivors, impacted students, staff and the broader school community, and working closely with the department's Conduct and Integrity division who support schools and the department with employment advice and action). The Senior Advisor will also support the branch's online information hub and telephone line for adult victim survivors of child sexual abuse in Victorian government schools, and may also be required to support the branch implement important reforms to better support adult victim survivors of child sexual abuse, including the establishment of a restorative engagement program and a consistent policy and process for memorials in Victorian government schools.

About the Department

The role of the Department of Education is to support Victorians to build prosperous, socially engaged, happy and healthy lives. It does this by supporting lifelong learning and healthy development, strengthening families and helping to equip people with the skills and knowledge for a 21st century economy and society.

About the Restorative Engagement and School Support Branch

The Restorative Engagement and School Support (RESS) Branch is responsible for supporting Victorian government schools and the department respond to current incidents, reports and disclosures of child sexual abuse by an adult working in a Victorian government school including:

• supporting school leadership and the department with beginning to end management of the matter (excluding all employment-related advice, investigations or actions which are conducted by another division)
• ensuring the school and department provide appropriate supports and responses to the victim-survivor and their family
• oversight of communications and engagement with the school community including parents/carers, staff and students
• advising the school and regional office on wellbeing support for other impacted students and staff
• working with police and other areas of the department to assess and manage any ongoing risks
• supporting with post-incident reviews
• identifying areas for continuous improvement in policy and practice.

The Branch also plays a critical role in delivering a number of the recommendations made by the recent Board of Inquiry into historical child sexual abuse in Beaumaris Primary School and certain other Victorian government schools including:

• establishing a restorative engagement program for adult survivors of child sexual abuse in Victorian government schools
• establishing and managing an online hub and phone line for adult victim survivors
• establishing a memorial acknowledging historical abuse at Beaumaris Primary School and developing new policy guidance for requests for other memorials at government schools.
• Supporting the Victorian government's apology to victim survivors of child sexual abuse in Victorian government schools.

The RESS Branch is also leading stakeholder consultation and engagement to inform implementation of the Board of Inquiry's recommendations and whole-of-government governance and accountability structures to support the reforms, including consistent and transparent reporting.

The RESS Branch sits within the department's Operational Policy, School Engagement and Compliance (OPSEC) Division – a supportive, respectful, positive, and collaborative team with a culture of high integrity, responsiveness and accountability.

About the role

The Senior Advisor will work flexibly across the Branch based on capacity and demand.

The role will include supporting and advising school leaders to manage incidents relating to child sexual abuse charges or findings against an adult working in the school (focussing on support for any victim survivors, impacted students, staff and the broader school community, and working closely with the department's Conduct and Integrity division who support schools and the department with employment advice and action), drafting communications from regional and school leaders for the school community, supporting the school compliance team with post-incident reviews, supporting the Branch's online information hub and telephone line for adult victim survivors of child sexual abuse, supporting the development and ongoing maintenance of guidelines and internal processes of the Branch, and preparing briefings, reports, training materials and presentations in relation to the work of the Branch.

The role may also include supporting the governance and consultation processes underway to implement the reforms relating to the implementation of the Board of Inquiry's recommendations, including supporting operational requirements, governance structures, secretariat functions, briefings, reports and papers.

The role will take on other duties relating to Branch functions as directed, and may also be required to support the work of the broader OPSEC Division on request.

These positions report to the Managers, RESS Branch.

Capabilities

The Senior Advisor must demonstrate:

• excellent communication skills (written, listening and verbal), for a variety of audiences and formats.
• attention to detail, sensitivity, empathy, and resilience
• exceptional interpersonal and stakeholder management skills
• cognitive flexibility to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment
• strong skills and experience in preparing complex briefs, reports, presentations, and papers to senior leaders
• ability to work as a strong team player, with a commitment to contributing to and maintaining a healthy and positive workplace culture
• strong organisational skills including excellent and comprehensive record-keeping skills
• strong problem-solving skills
• a genuine commitment to restorative engagement for current and former students who have been harmed in the care of the Victorian government school system.

Desirable Qualifications and Experience

Experience or qualifications relating to child safety, assessing risk and or mental health and wellbeing or other similar experience or skills working with victim-survivors of abuse or trauma. Case management experience is beneficial.

Mandatory Qualifications

Tertiary qualifications in a social sciences, counselling, law, or other relevant field is essential.

A current Victorian drivers' licence and a valid Working with Children Clearance are also required.

How to apply

To apply, please click ‘Apply Now' and include your resume and a supporting letter (no more than 2 pages) outlining your suitability for the role.

A position description outlining the general role, capabilities and key selection requirements for this VPS grade is attached.

For further information specific to the role please contact Jane Carew-Reid, Director, RESS Branch by phone: 0438 083 899 or email: jane.carew-reid@education.vic.gov.au.

Applications close 11:59pm on 30-Mar-2025

Further Information

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.

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

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 advertisement or any attachments in an accessible format (e.g large print) due to any viewing difficulties or other accessibility requirements.