Providing clients with royal treatment
The Neighbourhood Justice Centre’s resident Officer-in-Charge, Community Correctional Services has been awarded the Australian Corrections Medal for her services to Community Correctional Services and Corrections Victoria.
Elizabeth ‘Beth’ Swales’ Queen’s Birthday Honour is well-deserved recognition of 25 years of outstanding service, 12 of which have been served as a valued member of the NJC team.
Rachel Powning, NJC’s General Manager, says Beth brings a tireless commitment to making a difference to the lives of some the Centre’s most vulnerable, high-needs clients.
“Many of Beth’s clients return to thank her for helping them back on their feet long after they have exited the justice system. This speaks volumes about her commitment to service excellence,” said Rachel Powning.
Beth manages the Community Corrections team stationed at the NJC that supervises people the NJC’s court has ordered to serve community-based sentences and those paroled from prison.
While the team performs the same duties as their colleagues across Victoria, they also work alongside a host of treatment and support services available at the at the NJC. This model of on-site, multi-disciplinary support means that many Corrections clients will have started treatment either before or during their time in court, and Beth and her team can refer clients to additional services as required.
Beth is a member of the of NJC’s leadership team, and an advocate of addressing the underlying conditions of criminal offending through problem-solving practices and wrap-around support.
Beth joined Community Correctional Services (CCS) in 1996 and has held a number of front-line positions.
Her NJC colleagues congratulate Beth for years of outstanding services to the Victorian community.
Read more about how CCS works within the NJC’s multi-agency model here.