Becoming an Authorised Clinician

The clinic needs psychiatrists, psychologists and social workers with substantial experience and skill in understanding the needs and development of children, particularly in the areas of child abuse and neglect. 

• Application package
• The selection process
• The fee structure

Application package

If you would like to apply to become an Authorised Clinician with the Children's Court Clinic all the required forms are available for download below:

• Authorised Clinician Scheme Application Package: valid July 2021
• NSW Health National Criminal Record Check consent Form 
• Working With Children Check - NSW Health
• NSW Health’s 100 Point Identification Checklist

Applicants must meet all of the following criteria to be eligible for authorisation with the Authorised Clinician (Children's Court Clinic) Scheme:

1. Required qualifications and registration

Psychologists

• Masters degree (full 6 year degree) in Psychology in an appropriate area from a recognised University, followed by two years full time (or part time equivalent) relevant documented professional practice or membership of an A.P.S. college and,
• Current registration with the NSW Psychologists Registration Board,
• And evidence of current full registration with the Psychology Board of Australia,
• Note: In lieu of a Masters degree, 10 years clinical experience as a psychologist in a relevant area/s is required.

Psychiatrists

• Fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) or with specialist qualifications recognised by the RANZCP,
• Member of the Faculty of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry of the RANZCP or with specialist qualifications in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry recognised by RANZCP or relevant training and experience in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry recognised by the Faculty of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry of RANZCP,
• And evidence of current full registration with the Medical Board of Australia, with a registered speciality in Psychiatry.

Social workers

• Masters Degree (full six year degree) in Social Work in an appropriate area from a recognised University, followed by two years full time (or part time equivalent) relevant documented professional practice and,
• Accredited membership with the Australian Association of Social Workers,
• Or, in lieu of the Master’s degree, ten years clinical experience as a social worker in a relevant area.

2. Experience

Relevant documented clinical experience which includes interviewing skills and the capacity to develop a rapport with clients (this should be outlined in your resume). The documented clinical experience will have to be at least 2 years post Masters or 10 years clinical experience in a relevant professional area/s.

3. Demonstrated assessment experience

Demonstrated experience in the assessment of children, young people and families, which includes knowledge of child development.

It would be advantageous to have experience working with Indigenous Australians or peoples of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Backgrounds (CLDB) or client situations characterised by disability, domestic violence, abuse, mental health issues or with clients who have alcohol or other drugs issues.

4. Demonstrated report writing skills

Demonstrated ability to prepare high-quality assessment reports. Applicants may be asked to provide examples of their written work.

5. Demonstrated evidence of continuing professional development

Applicants to become Authorised Clinicians are expected to maintain the professional development requirements of their profession. Please indicate clearly in your resume the way in which you ensure that your professional knowledge remains current.

6. Two written references specifically addressing clinical skills

The references should be current and from professionals who know of your work and are able to speak to the quality of your assessment and report writing ability as well as to testify to your relevant clinical experience.

The references should specifically address these issues. Referees should provide current addresses and contact numbers and not be personally related to the applicant. Referees should be informed that they may be contacted by members of the Professional Advisory Group.

7. Willingness to enter into agreement to provide services with Children’s Court Clinic

The Agreement to Provide Services is a contract between the Children’s Court Clinic and an individual person. It not transferable to any other person/s or groups such as organisations or firms.

A copy of the Agreement to Provide Services will be sent to successful applicants to sign and then return to the Children’s Court Clinic. The Agreement becomes binding only after the Director of the Children’s Court Clinic executes the Agreement on behalf of the state of New South Wales, at which time the applicant becomes an Authorised Clinician.

8. Statement of fitness to undertake assessments and write reports

The Statement of Fitness to Undertake Assessments and Write Reports form is attached to the Agreement to Provide Services and should be declared and signed before a Justice of the Peace.

9. Working with children check

It is an offence under the NSW Child Protection (Prohibited Employment) Act 1998 for a person convicted of a serious sex offence to apply for this position.

When applying you must complete the Prohibited Employment Declaration. The Working with Children Check is a screening process which includes relevant criminal history, Apprehended Violence Orders and prior employment checks, including relevant disciplinary proceedings. The Working with Children Check will be conducted on all recommended applicants.

Note: It is an offence under the NSW Child Protection (Prohibited Employment) Act 1998 for a person convicted of a serious sex offence to apply for this position and Relevant Criminal History, Apprehended Violence Orders, and prior employment checks, including relevant disciplinary proceedings, will be conducted on all applicants.

Note: The Children’s Court Clinic Professional Advisory Group (PAG) has determined that it is a conflict of interest to be employed in any capacity by the Department of Community Services and provide assessments and reports for the Children’s Court Clinic. Providing assessments and reports for both agencies on a fee for service contract basis is permitted.

The selection process

Applications for the Authorised Clinician (Children's Court Clinic) Scheme are considered by the Professional Advisory Group which is convened on a quarterly basis to assist the Director, Children's Court Clinic in implementing the professional functions of the Clinic.

Membership of the group includes the Director (Children's Court Clinic) and senior nominees from the following organisations:

• NSW Psychologists Registration Board
• Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists
• Australian Association of Social Workers
• Department of Community Services
• NSW Department of Health

After the Professional Advisory Group has considered the application and made its recommendation to the Director, applicants are advised in writing of the Director's decision.

If the applicant is successful, they will be sent an Authorised Clinician (Children's Court Clinic) Handbook which includes general information about the process, policies and procedures of the Authorised Clinician (Children's Court Clinic) Scheme and also the Agreement to Provide Services.

The Agreement is to be signed by the applicant and is then signed and executed by the Director. Only when the Agreement is executed is the applicant's name placed on the list of Authorised Clinicians in the Children's Court Clinic Scheme.

The fee structure

Updated 1 July 2017

Assessment Report payments are based on a rate of $154.00 per hour. This covers document perusal, assessment Interviews and testing as appropriate with children, family members and other relevant parties, additional information obtained with relevant consent and Report Development and write-up.

The report categories are defined below:

• Category 1: one child plus two adults - based on 10 hours clinical work.
• Category 2: two children plus two adults - based on 11 hours clinical work.
• Category 3: three children plus two adults - based on 13 hours clinical work.
• Category 4 (File Review and Synthesis Report): based on 5 hours clinical work.
• Category 5 (Update Report): consideration and comments on additional information without further contact with the client. These are usually no more than 2 or 3 pages – to be negotiated.

Complex matters, matters involving oversize file of documents, and extra adults and/or children may attract extra fees as negotiated by Director or delegate.

Nil Report: if an assessment does not proceed, for example because a client does not attend an agreed appointment that has been reconfirmed beforehand, or for other reasons, an Authorised Clinician may complete a Nil Report (see AC Handbook s.3.9). Discussion with the Director is encouraged.

Travel: The above fees are inclusive of one hour’s travel. For more distant assessments an additional fee of $88.00 per hour is payable. Fares, petrol, car hire, overnight accommodation and meals may be paid following prior approval by the Director.

Court or ADR Attendance: Travel cost is payable at the above rates. Court attendance is payable at the hourly rate of $154 per hour. A minimum of 3 hours is payable (i.e. $462). This rate also applies if attendance occurs but appearance is cancelled or is less than 3 hours. Preparatory reading is also payable at $154 per hour. For more than 5 hours, approval by the Director is required.

Cancellation at less than 24 hours’ notice: A minimum of 3 hours fee ($462) is payable.

GST: The total fee paid per report is normally exclusive of GST where applicable.

Scale of fees plus GST