Senior Legal Counsel

Social Services Regulator (SSR); Melbourne; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

The Senior Legal Counsel provides high-quality legal advice and management of litigation in relation to the regulatory and operational requirements for the Social Services Regulator (SSR) arising under the Worker Screening Act 2020 (Vic), the Social Services Regulation Act 2021 (Vic) and the Child Wellbeing and Safety Act 2005 (Vic).

The role sits within the SSR Legal team and covers complex matters across SSR's regulatory frameworks, including Working with Children Checks, the Reportable

Qualifications

• No formal qualifications listed in the posting.

Responsibilities

• Support the SSR Legal team in delivering high quality, stakeholder focused legal services.
• Manage matters in courts/tribunals, notably Working with Children Check schemes.
• Provide strategic, risk-based advice on social service regulation and governance.

Job description

The Senior Legal Counsel provides high-quality legal advice and management of litigation in relation to the regulatory and operational requirements for the Social Services Regulator (SSR) arising under the Worker Screening Act 2020 (Vic), the Social Services Regulation Act 2021 (Vic) and the Child Wellbeing and Safety Act 2005 (Vic).

The Senior Legal Counsel is a trusted legal advisor within the Legal and Internal Review team and will work as part of the SSR Legal team across SSR's operational areas including on complex matters arising under the various legislative frameworks. This includes, but not limited to, advice and management of litigation involving Working with Children Checks as well as regulation of the Social Service Standards, the Reportable Conduct Scheme and the Worker and Carer Exclusion Scheme. I

This means the work will be interesting and varied and have a strong focus on collaboration, teamwork, building relationships with internal and external stakeholders and organisational improvement.

ACCOUNTABILITIES INCLUDE

• Support the SSR Legal team in the delivery of high quality, stakeholder focused and cost-effective legal services in relation to highly complex and sensitive matters. This includes the management of matters in courts or tribunals particularly in relation to the Working with Children Check scheme.
• Provide strategic, risk-based legal advice on social service regulation and laws, and legal issues related to the Regulator's functions, including complaints, notifications, investigations, prosecutions and a broad range of administrative law, legislative interpretation and corporate governance matters that relate to the operation of the Regulator.
• Support and advise the SSR on litigated matters, including day to day carriage of matters, engaging counsel or external legal support (where appropriate) and providing advice on prospects as well as ensuring the SSR complies with its obligations as a model litigant.

For more details, please refer to the attached position description.