About the organisation

Jesuit Social Services is a social change organisation working to build a just society where all people can live to their full potential. We reflect on the critical factors shaping our contemporary world; the social, political and economic contexts, and we adapt our practice to work with those most in need.

Since 1977, Jesuit Social Services has provided services to some of the most disadvantaged in our community.

We place a high priority on advocacy and are a leader in policy development and research.

About the role

The Senior Practitioner role provides supervision and line management to a small team of Outreach Case Managers in the ReConnect program while providing outreach-based case management to a small caseload of participants with multiple complex needs. Senior Practitioners work closely with the program Coordinator to support the day-to-day operations of the program and are an active part of the leadership team. This role requires working closely with key stakeholders in particular Corrections Victoria, Community Correctional Services (CCS), prisons and other external organisations.

• Full-time or 0.9 position can be negotiated.
• A contract can be offered until 30th June 2027.
• Salary of $97,377 per annum, plus salary packaging benefit, is offered together with ongoing professional and career development as well as opportunities for personal growth.

What Jesuit Social Services can offer you

• An organisation that lives its values, through its day to day work
• A welcoming and supportive relational environment
• A comprehensive Induction and Orientation program
• Ongoing training and development related to your role
• Employee assistance program
• A competitive salary plus salary packaging benefits
• Generous leave

About you

This role will suit a candidate with the following skills and experience:

• An understanding and empathy for the challenges facing individuals as they transition from custody to the community.
• Demonstrated capacity and experience to manage staff and programs that provide outreach support and case management services to people released from prison, including individuals who have engaged in high profile, violent and sexual offending.
• Highly developed verbal and written communication skills; and stakeholder management.
• An understanding of risk management and the capacity to assess for risk and respond appropriately.
• We encourage applications from individuals with lived experience of the justice system.

About the program

ReConnect provides transitional support to eligible men and gender diverse individuals who are exiting adult prisons across Victoria and who will be residing in the North and West metropolitan regions of Melbourne. In order to facilitate community reintegration and reduce recidivism, the program supports participants to address seven critical domains: housing, mental health, alcohol and other drugs (AoD), employment, education and training, independent living skills and family and community connectedness.

Jesuit Social Services is looking to recruit an experienced Senior Practitioner to manage a small case load of participants with multiple complex needs; and to coordinate a small team of outreach-based case managers, providing direct line supervision and working as a part of the broader leadership team. We work with individuals who have been assessed as having a high risk of recidivism and high reintegration support needs, as well as those who have engaged in high profile, violent and sexual offending.

The appropriate candidate will need to be confident in working directly with this cohort and provide staff guidance and supervision in areas such as sexual offending and working with men who use violence. The program is dynamic and fast paced, with a high level of administrative requirements and the ability to be adaptable and responsive to the needs of the program.

The program is funded through the Department of Justice and Community Safety (DJCS) and is part of the Corrections Victoria Reintegration Pathway (CVRP). The aim of the program is to support eligible individuals to effectively reintegrate back into the community on their release from custody. The program supports people to address their individual and complex transitional needs through a responsive, tailored and flexible support approach to facilitate community reintegration and reduce re-offending. The key objectives of the program are to:

• Implement an individualised transitional plan for participants which addresses key needs to reduce re-offending and ensures continuity of care
• Provide assertive outreach and practical assistance to participants to successfully reintegrate into the community

Assist participants to address the underlying causes of their offending and achieve positive outcomes in key intervention areas.

How to Apply

• Click "Apply Now" to view the Position Description.
• Upload your resume and cover letter incorporating your responses to the Key Selection Criteria from the Position Description.

• For further information please contact Sam Noonan, ReConnect Coordinator on 0407 364 751

Please apply in confidence

Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis and the closing date may be subject to change without notice.

Jesuit Social Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity and inclusion. We celebrate and welcome all people regardless of ethnicity, cultural background, age, gender, sexuality, disability or religious affiliation.

We strongly encourage applications from all community members including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, members of the LGBTIQA+ community, people with a disability, people of culturally diverse backgrounds and working parents.

Jesuit Social Services is a Child Safe organisation and is committed to protecting children and young people from harm. We require all applicants to undergo an extensive screening process prior to appointment.