Family Justice Counsellors - Justice Institute of British ColumbiaCorrectional Worker and Services Education in CanadaCrime and Fire Programs -- Community College Programs
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Family Justice Counsellors - Justice Institute of British Columbia The role of Family Justice Counselors is to 'screen potential clients for the incidence of family violence and offer appropriate alternatives' as well as 'provide family mediation, conciliation, and short term counseling to persons (primarily those of modest means) who are contemplating or experiencing separation or divorce, giving clients an alternative to litigation.' To be an effective Counselor, one must be able to demonstrate 'skill in screening clients for the incidence of family violence' and 'in mediating and conciliating family disputes,' and be able 'to write custody and access reports, manage a complex caseload in a sensitive and timely manner, effectively liaise with resources and other organizations serving the client population, and utilize the Parenting After Separation Program or its equivalent.' The Corrections and Community Justice Division, via the Justice Institute of British Columbia (JIBC), offers a series of courses, primarily for those interested in a career as a family justice counselor or a private family mediator, which may lead to certification as a Family Justice Counselor in British Columbia. Courses can also be taken by individuals out of personal interest, without pursuing certification. Certified Counselors normally work for the BC Ministry of Attorney General - Family Justice Services Division in various locations throughout the Province; Counselors employed in rural areas may 'cover more than one office and may need to travel to different work locations.' To be eligible for a position as a Counselor, candidates must be a citizen of Canada or have landed immigrant/permanent resident status, 'a recognized undergraduate degree,' a minimum of 1 year of recent, 'related work experience,' a total of 'at least 80 hours of Conflict Resolution courses,' which can be taken via the Centre for Conflict Resolution at the JIBC (recommended courses at the latter are CR110A or CR110B, CR250, CR260, and CR400) and successful completion of the Family Violence: Impact on Separation and Divorce (CORR605) course and Introduction to Family Justice Services in BC (CORR606) course. Both of the latter are offered by the Corrections and Community Justice Division and are to be taken online or through correspondence. Prospective applicants should be aware, however, that having the credentials for employment does not guarantee employment. Furthermore, because of the nature of the work, individuals with a criminal record may find it difficult to obtain employment in this area. Although they are not explicitly required, individuals interested in a career as a Counselor may wish to take the other courses offered by the Corrections and Community Justice Division to enhance their knowledge, skills, and employability in this field. These courses include Effects of Separation and Divorce on Adults, Effects of Separation and Divorce on Children, Substance Abuse Issues in Family Justice, Multicultural Issues in Family Justice, Family Mediation Certification Preparation Workshop, Child Support Guidelines, Mediated Agreements and Related Court Orders, and Custody and Access Report Writing. All the aforementioned courses are to be taken online or via correspondence except for Family Mediation Certification Preparation Workshop, which takes place in a classroom setting. In addition, all courses will include 'activities, self tests, discussions, assignments, and usually a final quiz.' Moreover, Family Justice Counselors students may be interested in pursuing specialization in Family Mediation via the Family Mediation Certificate Program, which is also offered via the JIBC.
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