Careers in Forensic Intervention Services

Female presenter:

“Hi, and welcome to Forensic Intervention Services.

“This video will give you an idea of what we do, the roles we offer and how we can take your career in a new direction as a Forensic Intervention Services clinician.

“Let’s start with a look at our vision, mission and values. Together, these guide the way we deliver a range of specialist services that contribute to community safety.

“Our vision is to become a world leader in forensic intervention services, enabling meaningful behaviour change in offenders.”

(Note: extended version of vision statement appearing on screen available at end of transcript.)

“Our mission is to reduce recidivism by delivering evidence-based offending behaviour programs founded in the risk, need and responsivity principles and our values are to serve the community, work together, act with integrity, respect other people and make it happen.”

(Note extended version of values statements appearing on screen available at end of transcript.)

“So what opportunities are available?

“Our clinicians are qualified in a variety of disciplines, including psychology, social work, mental health nursing and occupational therapy. They work in a number of different clinical teams covering assessment and treatment across various prison facilities and community locations, which means plenty of opportunities to specialise in areas such as assessment, sexual treatments, disability and high-risk interventions.

“You can join us in either a clinician or senior clinician role, depending on your level of qualification or experience and develop your career as a forensic intervention specialist.

“In a clinical role, you’ll work in both prison facilities and out in the community, predominately with people who have a history of sexual and/or violent offending. Day to day, our clinicians undertake comprehensive assessments, including risk assessments, facilitate or co-facilitate treatment programs, clinically interview individuals to decide on treatment pathways and prepare treatment plans, treatment reports and risk assessment reports for internal and external stakeholders.

“There is a need for some work-related travel, so you will have access to a work vehicle.

“If you join us as a senior clinician, you’ll lead a team of clinicians and contribute to the strategic management, development and delivery of our psychotherapeutic services. In this role, your key responsibilities will be to mentor and supervise clinicians, to support delivery of program interventions, manage staff performance and development, and carry out designated portfolio duties.

“Now that we’ve covered what the roles are, let’s take a closer look at the kinds of treatment programs you’ll be working with as part of Forensic Intervention Services.

“High Intensity VIP (H-VIP) - This is a high intensity program which targets a range of criminogenic needs and risk factors related to violent offending.

“Moderate intensity VIP( M-VIP) - A moderate intensity intensity program which targets a range of criminogenic needs and risk factors related to violent offending (prison only).

“Changeabout (pronounced “change about”) – A program that targets criminogenic factors specifically associated with intimate partner violence.

“See Change for Women – A program that addresses a range of risk factors relevant to violent offending in women.

“Better Lives Program. This program is designed to address sexual offending behaviours created along best practice principles of CBT, DBT and ACT. It’s run based on intensity levels, ranging from moderate-low to high.

“We provide group or individual sessions and on average our clinicians tend to run 3 group sessions per week. These sessions have 8-10 participants and are always facilitated by a team of 2 clinicians.

“Here at Forensic Intervention Services, we truly value our clinicians, so you will benefit from comprehensive training, support and professional development, including:

• a dedicated Clinical Induction Program for new clinical staff, including foundation, theory and mentored on-the-job training
• exposure to leading national and international experts in the area of forensic work
• AHPRA registration or professional association membership funded annually
• supervision by senior clinical staff
• paid supervisor training for eligible senior clinicians
• recognition of high performing staff through the Commissioner’s Clinical Scholarship Program and the Commissioner’s Clinical Conference Grants
• an annual Leadership Forum and Conference
• training, and learning and development opportunities, and
• relocation allowances for eligible candidates.

“If what you’ve heard so far has you interested in joining our growing team, then here’s what we look for in terms of qualifications. You will need to:

• have general registration as a psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia, or
• be eligible for membership of the Australia Association of Social Workers (AASW), or
• be credentialed as a mental health nurse with the Australian College of Mental Health Nurses, or
• be registered as an occupational therapist with the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia.

“Senior clinicians will also need to have specialist training or post-graduate qualifications, in a clinical or forensic field. Approved supervisor status is also desirable.

“If you’ve ticked all those boxes, applications for clinicians and senior clinicians are open all year round. Our recruitment process takes around 8 weeks and if you are successful, you’ll progress through a number of stages, including:

• online application
• Online or in-person Assessment Centre
• security, safety and reference checks, and
• a formal offer of employment.

“For more information and to apply, you can register at justice.vic.gov.au/forensic-careers for one of our online Q&A sessions, where you can chat to members of our clinical team.

“Good luck! We look forward to hearing from you.”

Final screen:

Challenge yourself with Forensic Intervention Services

Justice.vic.gov.au/forensic-careers

Victoria State Government – Department of Justice and Community Safety

Extended vision statement:

Our vision - To become a world leader in forensic intervention services, enabling meaningful behaviour change in offenders and contributing to a justice and community safety system that works together to build a safer, fairer and stronger Victoria.

Extended values statement:

Serve the community: We strive to deliver services in line with the department’s mission of reducing recidivism and increasing community safety.

Work together: We respect the role of other professionals working jointly with our service users and provide timely advice to support and inform the work of others.

Act with integrity: we use valid and established tools and processes to inform our work and ensure accuracy and objectivity in our professional decision-making about our service users and when engaging with stakeholders.

Respect other people: We deal with complex issues in a professional manner, displaying sensitivity and understanding, supporting diversity, inclusion and intersectionality in our service users and workforce.

Make it happen: We strive to deliver innovative ways of working to meet the department’s and service users’ needs and priorities.