Family Justice Counsellor - Report Writer

Post-Hire Training

To become a family justice counsellor (FJC) specializing in the report writer role, you'll first need to secure a position with the Family Justice Services Division, Ministry of Attorney General. Upon hiring, you'll be enrolled in a comprehensive training program for the first 6 months of your employment, where you'll be trained as a family justice counsellor (dispute resolution professional). After completing this program, you'll undergo a specialized 6-week training focused on report writing, which includes both an online course and a practicum. Both training programs are fully funded by the Ministry of Attorney General.

Career Overview

Family justice counsellors, in the report writer role, are members of a provincial team that prepares Section 211 Reports under the Family Law Act. These reports assist the court and families in making informed decisions about parenting plans following separation or divorce. Report writers assess the child’s needs and the parents' ability to meet them, gathering insights through interviews, observations of family interactions, and consultations with professionals like doctors and teachers. All reports are centred on the best interests of the child. 

In some cases, report writers may be required to appear in court to provide evidence, based on their assessments. This role also involves traveling across the province to conduct assessments, which may require multiple consecutive overnight stays. Additionally, travel for training and meetings is also part of the role.

Career Details and Opportunities

The annual salary for a report writer ranges from approximately $71,772 to $89,268. Job opportunities for family justice counsellor – report writer can be found on the BC government job postings website.

For more details on the role, requirements, and post-hire training, contact JIBC Registration department. Learn more about family justice services in B.C. on the Family Justice website.

Personal Qualifications

Skills:

• active listening, assessing, and interviewing children and youth
• emotional intelligence and empathy
• strong ethics, writing, and verbal communication

Abilities:

• remain impartial
• working with diverse populations
• managing sensitive and confidential information
• handling highly emotional settings
• working independently and traveling as needed

Minimum Requirements to Apply

• A Canadian citizen or landed immigrant.
• A recognized undergraduate degree.
• Completion of 80 hours of conflict resolution courses with the focus on mediation skill development. Consideration may be given to applicants who have less than 80 hours of conflict resolution courses.

Note: Applicants who obtained their degree outside of Canada must have their “foreign degree” evaluated through the International Credential Evaluation Service (ICES). Definition of “foreign degree” is any degree outside of Canada.

Note: The recommended Justice Institute of British Columbia (JIBC) courses are offered by the Centre for Conflict Resolution, and they include:

• CRES-1100 Foundations of Collaborative Conflict Resolution
• CRES-1170 Negotiations Fundamentals: Collaborative Problem Solving
• CRES-1181 Mediation Fundamentals: Facilitating Conflict Resolution
• CRES-1105 Navigating Intense Emotions in Conflict     
• CRES-1410 Advanced Mediation (formerly Mediation Skills Level II-CRES-1280, CCR290 or CR400)

Note: If the applicant’s conflict resolution courses are not from the Justice Institute of BC (JIBC), a prior learning assessment may be required to determine if an applicant meets this qualification.

• Minimum of one-year related experience* in a human service field (e.g., Indigenous organizations and community services, counselling, community service agencies, employment assistance, dispute resolution, court services, legal services).

*Note: Experience may be gained in a professional/work, community or volunteer setting.

Preferred Qualifications

Preference may be given to applicants who:

• Self-identify as Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit, or Métis) with the required education and experience.
• Have completed one or more of the following JIBC courses:
  
  • FAMJ-1000  Family Justice Service in British Columbia
  • FAMJ-1002  Family Violence: Impact on Separation and Divorce
  • FAMJ-1005  Effects of Separation and Divorce on Adults
  • FAMJ- 1006 Effects of Separation and Divorce on Children
  • FAMJ-1019  Substance Use Issues in Family Justice
  • FAMJ-1018  Diversity, Family Dispute Resolution & Access to Justice
  • FAMJ-1009  Child Support Guidelines
  • FAMJ-1021  Writing Children’s Needs Assessments
  • CRES-1410  Advanced Mediation
  • FAMJ-1026 Mental Health Considerations in Family Justice