Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner
Sydney City Family Relationship Centre (FRC)
Part Time (4 days)
Thank you for your enquiry regarding the position of Family Dispute Resolution
Practitioners (FDRP) with Relationships Australia NSW in our Sydney City FRC located on Sussex St.
Relationships Australia (NSW) is a secular, not-for-profit organisation receiving funding from both Commonwealth and State governments to assist in the delivery of services such as counselling, mediation, and relationship and parenting education programs. Relationships Australia (NSW) also has a large professional training division, offering accredited training at post-graduate level. In addition, it provides management and clinical consultation to other organisations, as well as workplace services, such as conflict resolution, to companies and government departments and a range of seminars for employees, managers and HR personnel. Further information about our organisation can be found on our website www.relationships.org.au
Family Relationship Centres are funded by the Commonwealth government to strengthen and assist families and provide support through family separation. Core services provided by the Centres include assessment, information provision, referral and Family Dispute Resolution (FDR).
The Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner provides a range of interventions to families that are experiencing conflict and are unable to reach agreement regarding
arrangements in relation to children. These interventions include assessment for, and delivery of, child-focused FDR. Practice models used in the Centre include both Child Inclusive and Legally assisted FDR.
These positions require the practitioners to be registered on the Australian Government Attorney General’s Department Register of Family Dispute Resolution Practitioners under the Family Law Act 1975 (see Family Dispute Resolution Practitioners Regulations 2008).
This position is Part time (4 days per week) and days worked will be discussed with the successful applicant. The salary for this position will be negotiated with the applicant and will be dependent on their level of experience, training and competency. The total remuneration package for this position, including superannuation and leave loading, is between $65,662 – $78,429 per annum (pro rata). Some after hours work may be required for this position.
Employees of Relationships Australia (NSW) enjoy a number of non-salary benefits that have been designed to assist in their personal and career growth and their well-being. In addition to salary and statutory requirements surrounding annual, personal and long-service leave, Relationships Australia (NSW) provides the following benefits to our staff:
Salary sacrificing to superannuation, some educational courses and other approved items
5 additional leave days per year, to be used between Christmas - New year, picnic day and your Birthday.
Discounted fees for courses undertaken at the Australian Institute of Relationship Studies
Staff Development allowance of up to 1.5% of work time being used for approved study
Additional Study Leave for approved educational courses up to four hours per week
Access to our Employee Assistance Program
Additionally, you will enjoy and benefit from working in an organisation that lives its values of:
Respect and Inclusiveness Pursuing Excellence Valuing staff
Integrity
Selection Criteria
Your written application must demonstrate competence in the following areas: (Please give an outline of your background and experience for each criterion).
Essential
Registered on the Australian Government Attorney General’s Department Register of Family Dispute Resolution Practitioners under the Family Law Act 1975
A tertiary background in Law, Social Sciences, Social work, or Mediation/Dispute Resolution
Demonstrated high level skills in family dispute resolution, including assessments and mediation interventions
Demonstrated ability to work in a child focused approach
Knowledge of issues facing separating families
High level written and oral communication skills
Ability to work as an effective team member
Computer literacy
Desirable
Applying for the Position
Applicants should forward their CV and Selection Criteria via e-mail to employment@ransw.org.au, attention of Jared Harries.
If unable to send your application electronically, please mail to Jared Harries at:
Relationships Australia Unit 2
Macquarie Link 277 Lane Cove Rd
Macquarie Park NSW 2113
Please ensure that the position you are applying for is in the title of your email or correspondence.
Applications will be accepted until close of business Monday, 9th June 2014.
Only successful applicants will be notified of interviews. The proposed interview dates will be held from Monday, 16th June onwards.
Before we can offer you the position we will require from you the names and contact details of two referees (one of whom should be your current manager/ supervisor). A Working with Children Check is a prerequisite for employees who work within the following job families in child related work. For RANSW these are determined to be:
All Counsellors and Family Therapists
All Child consultants (FA’s and FDRP’s)
All REP Educators who run children’s groups
All CCS Employees
All POP Employees
All ARC, JSP & RCCBSS Employees
All Community Builders employees
As a condition of employment you will be required to apply for a Working with Children Check at your expense within 10 working days from the date your employment
commences, and again every 5 years. Please refer to the Working with Children Check guidelines on www.kids.nsw.gov.au for details on application procedures and applicable fees.
If you require any further details or information, please do not hesitate to contact Jared Harries on 8874 8024. We look forward to receiving your application.
JOB DESCRIPTION
FAMILY DISPUTE RESOLUTION PRACTITIONER
Reports to Manager Family Relationship Centre
Positions under direct responsibility
Nil
Position Liaises with Other RANSW and FRC staff
This position requires the practitioner to be registered on the Australian Government Attorney General’s Department Register of Family Dispute Resolution Practitioners under the Family Law Act 1975 (See Family Dispute Resolution Practitioners Regulations 2008).
POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES
Provision of a range of interventions to families post-separation who are experiencing conflict and are unable to reach agreement regarding parenting arrangements for their children. These interventions include mediation, therapeutic family conflict management strategies and child inclusive practice.
Maintaining Family Dispute Resolution service to clients from referral to closure as appropriate, including all clinical and administrative tasks of cases.
Ensures compliance with Work Health and Safety in line with the organisation’s WH+S Policy and procedures.
KEY TASKS
Assess suitability of clients and presenting issues for mediation in accordance with the requirements of the Family Law Act 1975 and in accordance with organisational policies, procedures and guidelines.
Conduct telephone and face-to-face Intake Assessment Interviews in accordance with organisational policies, procedures and guidelines.
Facilitate mediation sessions with clients, including Child Inclusive Practice where appropriate.
Provide information to clients and potential clients about other options upon separation, including information about counselling and legal processes. Refer clients to other services (internal and external) as required.
Issue Section 60I Certificates as required.
Prepare agreements, parenting plans, records of FDR and client letters in accordance with internal and appropriate external competency requirements. Collaborate in the provision of multi-disciplinary interventions to family’s
post-separation experiencing high conflict.
Participation in clinical supervision and professional development.
ESSENTIAL SKILLS / COMPETENCIES
Registered on the Australian Government Attorney General’s Department Register of Family Dispute Resolution Practitioners under the Family Law Act 1975
A tertiary background in Law, Social Sciences, Social work, or Mediation/Dispute Resolution
Demonstrated high level skills in family dispute resolution, including assessments and mediation interventions
Demonstrated ability to work in a child focused approach
Knowledge of issues facing separating families
High level written and oral communication skills
Ability to work as an effective team member
Computer literacy
DESIRABLE
Experience in FDR with child inclusive approach
Flexibility in availability
Clinical experience working with parents and children
Knowledge of child development
Knowledge of mental health issues
Experience in workplace mediation and/or group facilitation
Experience with clients from Culturally and Linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds
