Parish Child Diversion Officer (GMG/SEG 2)

Job Purpose

The Child Diversion Officer works at the parish level, providing management oversight for the Child Diversion Programme, which is aimed at providing an alternative to formal judicial proceedings for children who are accused of, or have committed certain specified offences. The Child Diversion Officer must ensure that the Programme is operationalized within the assigned parish. 

Key Outputs:

• Needs assessment for children in conflict with the law conducted. 
• Child Offender support interventions developed and conducted 
• Intervention evaluated 
• Case Management files prepared 
• Intervention programmes recorded 
• Inventories and standard operating procedures implemented 
• Intervention programmes administered 
• Effective client service delivered 
• Reports prepared. 
• Data collected 
• Annual budget prepared 

Key Responsibility Areas:

• Advise the Director, Child Diversion on matters of policy relating to children in conflict with the law and child diversion in the parish. 
• Establishes Parish Child Diversion Committee. 
• Prepares Case Management files for child offenders 
• Undertakes a number of assessments including risk assessments and psycho–social assessment to ensure the safety of young people and others, and to inform the development of holistic intervention plans for young people to address their offending behavior and report to the Child Diversion Committee. 
• Undertakes assessments and develops interventions to support young people/children prior to case referral to Child Diversion Committee. 
• Contributes to the planning and delivery of individual and group work programmes for young people/children subject to the Child Diversion Act, 2018. 
• Provides good quality oral and written commencement, progress and completion reports to expedite speedy justice within courts and the Jamaica Constabulary Force. 
• Prepare all reports on the child as outlined under the Child Diversion Act, 2018. 
• Attends court and police station when necessary. 
• Participates as required at the Child Diversion Committee meetings and have an in-depth knowledge of the range of decision making available to the Committee and guide members in exercising that. Negotiates appropriate interventions with families to address assessed risk areas for the child/young person. 
• Provides day to day operational advice and guidance to the volunteers and external stakeholders, supporting their work in the programme. 
• Oversees the work of volunteers/facilitators to ensure compliance with policies and procedures
• Liaises with other professionals to develop holistic assessments and intervention plans, which are underpinned by evidence-based practice; current theories and knowledge. 
• Ensures all data or reports are collected/gathered/and or provided from external stakeholders on any child entering Child Diversion Programme in the parish. 
• Makes recommendations to the Child Diversion Committee of treatment plans based on completed assessments. 
• Ensures a sub-committee of the Child Diversion Committee is established where necessary.
• Arranges specialized individual and/or groups counseling sessions. 
• Develops, approves, administers and supervises child diversion programmes and other programmes for the prevention of child delinquency and for the rehabilitation of children in conflict with the law based on evaluations, knowledge, advice and recommendations of the Child Diversion Committee of each parish. 
• Coordinates child diversion related activities to ensure the effective administration of child diversion in the parish. 
• Assists with multi-sectoral coordination to provide intervention programmes. 
• Acts as mediator in times of conflict as it relates to children at the parish level. 
• Maintains the integrity of the programme by creating an atmosphere of confidentiality.
• Receives monitors, develops and maintains accurate and confidential records including reports of visits to child offender/s and statistical reports. 
• Prepares annual budget for the Child Diversion Programme within the parish. 
• Monitors the use and storage of assets provided by the Ministry of Justice to ensure proper maintenance and security. 
• Acts as liaison with children in the programme, their parents, school staff and any associated community resources; 
• Makes the necessary referrals according to established procedures and policies; 
• Works within a multidisciplinary team in the respective Parish. 
• Organizes and participates in case conferences and inter-agency liaison meetings.
• Maintains communication with the Restorative Justice Coordinator/Officer with respect to all activities in the parish. 
• Maintains accurate diary, records, minutes and account of Child Diversion activities within the parish
• Evaluates intervention programmes through site visits and the provision of timely progress reports
• Informs the Regional Child Diversion Coordinator of training needs in the parish.
• Reviews the methods, procedures and processes used in child diversion and recommend any changes and amendments, as appropriate. 
• Advises/Informs the Director, Child Diversion on all matters relating to child diversion in the parish, including individual child diversion programmes. 
• Maintains a roster/registry of service providers. 
• Ensures all service providers are approved by the Ministry of Justice. 
• Monitors compliance with the provisions of the Act and the regulations. 
• Performs such other functions as assigned 

Performance Standards:

This job is satisfactorily performed when: 

• Need assessment for child offenders conducted according to established guidelines.
• Child offender support interventions conducted according to established Child Justice guidelines
• Interventions evaluated according to established Child Justice guidelines 
• Case Management files prepared within agreed timeframe
• Record number of cases processed according to established guidelines 
• Record intervention programmes in accordance to established guidelines 
• Standard operating procedures implemented according to Child Justice guidelines
• Intervention programmes administered according to Child Justice guidelines 
• Effective client service delivered within agreed timeframe 
• Reports prepared in the established format and within agreed timeframe 
• Annual budget prepared within agreed timeframe. 
• Accurate record keeping maintained.

Required Competencies:

Core Competencies 

• Oral Communication 
• Written Communication 
• Integrity 
• Team Work & Cooperation
• Initiative 
• Compliance 
• Time Management 
• Interpersonal 
• Adaptability
• Customer and Quality Focus

Technical/Functional Competencies 

• Use of Technology
• Problem Solving and Decision-Making skills
• Analytical Thinking skills
• Planning and Organizing skills
• People Management
• Goal/Result Oriented
• Managing External Relationships
• Impact and Influence

Other Competencies 

• Proven ability to exercise sound judgment
• Proven ability to prioritize amongst conflicting demands and make rational decisions based upon a sound understanding of the facts 

Minimum Required Education and Experience

Specific knowledge (however acquired) required to start: 

• Knowledge of the following legislation would be considered an asset: 
  • Child Diversion Act, 2018 
  • Child Care and Protection Act, 2004 
  • Criminal Justice (Reform) Act, 1978 
  • Parole Act, 1978 

Qualifications and Experience 

• Bachelor’s Degree in the Social Work, Arts or Social Sciences (or comparable qualification and experience); 
• Minimum of four (4) years working experience in low-income communities, with at least three (3) years working with at-risk children... 
• Experience working with young people within the criminal justice system would be an asset. 

Continuous Professional Development 

• Evidence of continual professional development measures taken. 

Authority:

• Certifies travel claims 
• Signs off on preparation of unit’s reports and work plans 
• Authorize bills for payment 
• Approve expenditure for all divisions 
• Approve expenditure within assigned limits 

Specific Essential Conditions associated with the job

• Possession of a reliable motor vehicle 
• Ability to work outside regular work hours 
• Work will be conducted in an office outfitted with standard office equipment and specialized software. 
• The environment is fast paced with on-going interactions with critical stakeholders and meeting tight deadlines which will result in high degrees of pressure, on occasions.
• May be required to travel locally and overseas to attend conferences, seminars and meetings.