The Opportunity

Our Northern Specialist Family Violence Service (NSFVS) team are the lead provider for the integrated family violence service system in the Northern Metropolitan sub-region. The NSFVS provides support services to victim survivors of family violence including children, inclusive of cisgender heterosexual women; and people from the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex and Queer Community (LGBTIQ+). 

The Family Violence Child Protection partnership represents the collaboration between Child Protection (CP) and the SFV services in each of the 17 Department of Families Fairness and Housing (DFFH) areas. The Partnership involves a Specialist Family Violence Practitioner from a SFV service co-located in the CP Office in that region to strengthen collaborative work and to build the capability of the CP workforce.

This role is based between the Child Protection office in Preston and the Berry Street Northern Region office in Preston on Wurundjeri Country.

Key Responsibilities

The service aims to support victim survivors and their children to remain safely within their community and maintain a life free of violence while also addressing the emotional and practical needs and issues arising from the violence. 

The aim of the Specialist Family Violence Practitioner (CPP) is to strengthen and improve responses to families subject to a Child Protection investigation. Key responsibilities of the role include:

• To provide specialist advice to Child Protection practitioners undertaking investigations where family violence is present.
• To assist Child Protection to identify and response to family violence and develop solutions to system gaps and practice issues
• To maintain an in-depth knowledge of the family violence support services in the area and the eligibility requirements for such services.

About You

We're looking for experienced Family Violence Practitioners that come from all walks of life. We value people's individual contributions and strengths, driven from a commitment to have a workforce that's reflective of the community we serve.

A minimum Bachelor level qualification in Social Work or recent employment in the family violence sector or equivalency met through the 7 Equivalency Principles in line with the minimum mandatory qualification requirements. Please see www.vic.gov.au/mandatory-minimum-qualificationsspecialist-family-violence-practitioners for further information.

The specialised level of this role will require the ability to be able to reflect and analyse complex situations arising in specialist family violence casework and the commitment to working collaboratively with the capacity to negotiate and liaise with other agencies and the community.

The Benefits

• Work within a team where you are truly valued.
• Trauma-informed leadership.
• Rainbow tick accredited
• A commitment to ongoing learning opportunities.
• Fortnightly supervision and monthly Reflective Practice.
• Additional salary packaging available for meals/accommodation.
• Flexible work arrangements and generous leave conditions including Study Leave; Paid Family and Domestic Violence Leave; and Parental Leave for eligible staff members.
• Access to the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), including access for staff members’ immediate family.

How to Apply

Applications including resume and cover letter addressing the key selection criteria for the position to be submitted by the Apply Now link. 

Queries to Lani Pereira - Team Leader, Personal Safety Initiative and Child Protection Partnership on (03) 9450 4700. 

Please Note; the successful applicant will be subject to comprehensive reference and background checking prior to employment, including a Working with Children Check and National and International Police check if required and Victorian Carer Register clearance if applicable.

Berry Street is committed to being a child safe, child friendly and child empowering organisation. In everything we do we seek to protect children. We are committed to the cultural safety of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children; children from culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds; children with a disability; children who identify as LGBTQIA+. We aim to ensure every individual is treated with dignity and respect regardless of their cultural background, ability, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, spirituality or religion.