Indo-Chinese Prisoner Support Officer

About the role

The Indo-Chinese Prisoner Support Officer supports the social and emotional wellbeing of Indo-Chinese people involved in the criminal justice system, aiming to reduce recidivism and improve long-term outcomes. Delivered by the Australian Vietnamese Women's Association (AVWA), the role provides culturally appropriate individual support, family liaison, information and advocacy, and works within a holistic, trauma-informed framework. It is a part-time position (0.6 FTE) based at AVWA offices and reports to the Mental Health & Wellbeing Coordinator.

Key responsibilities

• Provide ongoing face-to-face support to prisoners, including informal counselling, referrals, material aid and help with family visits and communication, and short-term crisis counselling.
• Support families and friends mainly by phone or email, including home visits, and mediate between prisoners and prison management.
• Offer resettlement and pre-release support, including transition plans, risk and safety screening and referral to services, and liaise with Corrections Victoria staff.
• Deliver at least six individual post-release sessions and support offenders under Community Corrections Services supervision in the North-West or South Metro regions.
• Organise cultural festivals and events for Indo-Chinese communities across six Victorian prisons, such as Lunar New Year and the Full Moon Festival.
• Gather and analyse data on the needs of Indo-Chinese prisoners and their families, consult with community members, design culturally safe programs and maintain records for reporting and funding applications.
• Maintain accurate client records in client management systems.

Required profile

• Tertiary qualification (minimum Certificate IV) in Mental Health, Psychology, Social Work, Community Services or another health-related field.
• Qualified and eligible for AASW or ACWA or a related body.
• Demonstrated experience as a Welfare Worker or Community Worker.
• Experience working with diverse people facing social or personal difficulties, assessing needs and planning goal-focused recovery.
• Understanding of equal opportunity and diversity good practice, and knowledge of community services and networks.
• Desirable: bilingual skills in Vietnamese and English, and experience in the non-profit or community care sector.

What we offer

• SCHADS Award with all entitlements.
• Salary packaging up to $15,900, plus a $2,950 meal and entertainment card.
• Flexible working, including partial work from home.
• Employer-funded paid parental leave (conditions apply).
• Employee Assistance Program, wellness activities subsidy, wellness leave and free flu shots.