The Social Services Regulator is committed to strengthening protections and rights of vulnerable Victorians accessing social services.
The Social Services Regulator is a statutory authority that was established under the Social Services Regulations Act 2021 (the Act). The Act gives effect to a comprehensive new regulatory scheme that aims to keep Victoria’s social service users safe from harms such as abuse and neglect.
The purpose of the scheme is to:
- support the safe delivery of social services
- embed a new set of Social Service standards for all service providers
- ensure service providers understand their role in protecting the rights of social service users
- define roles and responsibilities of service providers
- give the Regulator monitoring and enforcement powers to respond to risks of harm
- improve information sharing between regulators so they can identify and respond to risks of harm
- replace the framework previously overseen by the Human Services Regulator.
The scheme applies to prescribed services set out in the Social Services Regulations 2023 (Regulations). They include:
- Child protection services
- Community based child and family services
- Disability services
- Family violence services
- Homelessness services
- Out of home care services
- Secure welfare services
- Sexual assault services
- Supported residential services.
THE ROLE
The Manager, Worker Screening Legal Team will provide expert legal advice in relation to the review and assessment of Working with Children (WWC) Check and National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Check applications and the interpretation of relevant legislation. The role also includes representation of the Social Services Regulator in litigation matters arising out of the Worker Screening Act 2020.
ACCOUNTABILITIES INCLUDE
Day-to-day your responsibilities will include:
- Lead the provision of authoritative and highly specialised legal advice and counsel to SSR, including by using advanced legal expertise and high-level expertise of the Worker Screening Schemes, in relation to complex and politically sensitive legal and associated matters to Worker Screening Operations and other matters relating to SSR.
- Use advanced expertise and knowledge to lead and strategically plan the operations of the Legal and Internal Review team including the management of a team of staff, preparation of budget projections and monitoring of expenditure.
- Co-lead the Legal and Internal Review for the Department, identify new and emerging legal issues within operational frameworks with the potential to impact on the delivery of key Government initiatives in this field, and interpret changes to legislation, policy frameworks and Victorian Court decisions to make decisions in the absence of definitive operational policies.
For more details, please open the position description.
HOW TO APPLY
Applicants are encouraged to apply online. Attachments can be uploaded in .doc, .docx, .pdf, .txt or .rtf formats.
Applicants are required to submit a CV and Cover Letter (max 2 pages) outlining their suitability to the role in line with the Key Selection Criteria.
Applicants must be an Australian Citizen, Permanent Resident or hold a valid work permit or visa. Work eligibility will be checked as part of the recruitment process.
Preferred candidates will be required to complete pre-employment screening, including a national police check and misconduct screening.
For more information on working with us and our recruitment process, please contact SSR HR at [email protected].
Please apply to submit your interest in this position.