Court Family Therapeutic Specialist (Syariah Court)

About the Syariah Court: Established in 1958 under the Administration of Muslim Law Act 1966 (AMLA), the Syariah Court ("SYC") determines disputes relating to Muslim marriage and divorce, and issues inheritance certificates for Muslim estates. The mission of SYC is to (i) save and salvage marriages, (ii) settle divorces amicably, and (iii) deliver just outcomes. Beyond adjudication, SYC is committed to the broader objective of strengthening Muslim families. Even when a marriage ends, SYC strives to ensure that family relationships are preserved, and the welfare of children is protected. Recognising that the resolution of family disputes requires a multi-disciplinary collaborative effort, SYC works closely with the legal, social science and religious fraternities. With its recent transformation efforts, including digitalisation and court reforms such as the establishment of therapeutic specialist services, SYC offers a challenging yet fulfilling experience for those with the passion and drive to serve Muslim families. About Therapeutic Specialist Services: The Therapeutic Specialist Services (TSS) is SYC's in-house social science unit, recently established in mid-2022, that enhances child-centricity and therapeutic justice in Muslim divorce proceedings. TSS provides a holistic, integrated approach alongside the legal framework to assist the court in decision-making through psychosocial expertise and specialist interventions.

1. Clinical Services: • Conducting psycho-social assessments, risk assessments, and safety planning for Muslim families undergoing divorce proceedings • Providing counselling and mediation services to facilitate family dispute resolution and conciliation on parenting arrangements in custody disputes • Managing complex cases and coordinating support with relevant partners in social service agencies for families requiring multi-agency intervention • Providing specialist consultation to support judicial decision-making on child-custody related matters 2. Community and Partner Engagement: • Building and maintaining collaborative relationships with community partners, legal practitioners and religious scholars. • Delivering specialised training across the family justice ecosystem 3. Research and Development: • Monitoring trends and initiating research projects to develop and implement appropriate policies and programmes relating to divorcing families • Participating in planning and evaluation of services and projects • Supporting practice research and evaluation initiatives

Qualifications and Experience: • Relevant certification in psychology, social work, counselling, or related field • Eligibility for registration with Singapore Psychological Society, Singapore Association for Counselling, and/or Singapore Association of Social Workers • Post-graduate experiences working with couples, families, and children Core Competencies: 1. Conduct risk assessments and develop evidence-based case plans 2. Apply clinical interviewing techniques and prepare professional reports 3. Design and implement therapeutic interventions for positive family outcomes 4. Communicate effectively across multidisciplinary teams 5. Build collaborative partnerships to enhance access to justice 6. Identify research opportunities and adapt best practices Required Skills: • Understanding of child development, family dynamics, and risk assessment methodologies • Strong interpersonal skills with ability to work effectively with families in high conflict situations • Professional maturity and resilience to work with families in crisis • Excellent analytical thinking and adaptability to manage multiple complex cases • Cultural sensitivity and respect for diverse backgrounds and Islamic traditions • Ability to maintain professional neutrality and confidentiality • Proficiency in spoken and written English (ability to communicate effectively with Malay-speaking clients essential) • Knowledge of legal frameworks governing children's matters an advantage • Research and analytical capabilities Interested candidates should submit their application with detailed CV, and relevant supporting documents including professional registration details. This position requires working with vulnerable families and children. Successful candidates will be subject to appropriate background checks and ongoing professional supervision.