Berry Street is one of the largest independent agencies within Australia, providing diverse programs to over 35,000 young people, children and families across Victoria each year. We pride ourselves on our ingenuity, evidence based and multi-dimensional thinking to provide the best outcomes for our young people.

We believe children, young people and families should be safe, thriving and hopeful and strive to make this happen each day!

About the Western Family Violence Team

The Western Family Violence Service (WFVS) is the lead provider for the integrated family violence service system in the Central Highlands sub-region. The WFVS provides support and intervention services to adult and child victim-survivors, as well as people who use violence. 

Our programs aim to support victim-survivors to remain safely within their community and to recover from the impacts of family violence and, to support accountability and change for people who have used or are using force or violence.

Historically, services have been focused on victim survivors and their children, but more recently, Berry Street has developed services for people who use violence and force.

This role will be part of a team that offers case management, child protection case support, and group programs for people who use violence or force.

Your Opportunity

As a Specialist Family Violence Practitioner, your main objective is to support people who use force to be accountable for keeping their family and broader community safe.

You will do this by coordinating, facilitating and participating in group programs for the Medium-term Perpetrator Accommodation Service (MPAS), Caring Dads and Positive Shift programs, and others as required.

Conducting comprehensive, timely, and responsive risk assessments and case management to people who use violence or force.

Supporting clients to engage with programs designed to address their abusive behaviours by developing an understanding of their use of violence and adopting strategies to decrease violence and increase safety.

Please see position description for further information on the roles expectations and requirements.

Your Skills and Experience

The successful candidate will hold 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 https://www.vic.gov.au/mandatory-minimum-qualifications-specialist-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.

Experience within and an understanding of the Family Violence service sector and the Central Highlands regional service system, and an understanding of the Child, Youth and Families Act 2007 and the Family Violence Protection Act 2008.

Berry Street's Benefits

• Regular reflective supervision 
• A culture that values and support professional development  
• $15,900.00 pa (pro rata) Salary Packaging + Additional Salary Packaging for meals/accommodation 
• 10 weeks paid parental leave + other generous leave conditions! 
• Access to the Employee Assistance Program, with access for staff's immediate family 
• Leave loading 17.5% 

How to Apply

Click Apply Now to submit your application. 

Applications including resume and cover letter addressing your suitability for the position to be submitted ASAP as we will be assessing applications as we are receiving them.

Queries to Tracey Golder, Program Manager - 0448 639 315.

A position description is attached.

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.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people; people from culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds and people with a disability are encouraged to apply.