• Position Purpose: The position will provide expertise on trauma informed care, mental health interventions and upskilling the CADA team to better address the mental health needs of victims/survivors experiencing the impacts of Domestic and Family Violence include risk of suicidality
• Classification: Level 5 or 6 of Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services industry Award 2010, dependent on experience and qualifications
• Employment Status: Up to 72.5 hours per fortnight. Salary Packaging available.
• Work Location: The practitioner will be required to work at CADA designated locations in Moreton Bay including Caboolture, Redcliffe and Strathpine
• Accountability: Position reports to the Manager Women's Wellbeing Hub
• Hours of Work: CADA’s hours of operation are 8 am to 6 pm

ABOUT US

The Centre Against Domestic Abuse (CADA) is a community organisation funded by the Queensland Government to respond to adults and children affected by domestic and family violence. We provide counselling and crisis/court support, referrals, risk assessment and safety planning, and high risk integrated service responses, as well as trauma informed recovery focused support for women. CADA is active in advocacy, community education and early intervention and, prevention strategies work towards a future free from domestic and family violence, in partnership with government and organisations working in the sector. We operate from offices at Caboolture, Redcliffe and Strathpine.

CADA’s Moreton Bay Women’s Wellbeing Hub was established in December 2018 and offers a free, standalone service separate from CADA’s DFSV service. When the immediate crisis has passed, many women feel overwhelmed and need support to heal, recover and rebuild their lives and personal wellbeing. The Women’s Wellbeing Hub assists women and young women in their recovery, offering support using a trauma-informed, recovery-focused approach. Our staff have expertise and experience in supporting women who have experienced trauma and understand the importance of group and community connection in the healing process. Our Hub is renowned as a safe and welcoming space for women and girls from all backgrounds. We offer support sessions, therapeutic counselling and healing and recovery groups.

OUR VISION

A future free from domestic and family violence.

OUR MISSION

To provide domestic and family violence support in Moreton Bay through prevention, early intervention, crisis response and recovery to promote safety and healing.

CADA BENEFITS

CADA has a strong commitment to employee wellbeing and offer:

• Salary packaging: As a not for profit, CADA employees can use part of their gross income to pay for everyday living expenses. This minimises their taxable income giving them more take home pay
• Bonus leave: All employees are gifted days between Christmas and New Year, a preventative health screening leave day, a day off on their birthday (after 12 months of employment) and are eligible for up to two wellbeing days per year subject to approval
• Paid Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Three confidential, short term counselling sessions are available for every employee and immediate family per year
• Wellbeing days and initiatives: CADA recognises our teams hard work and commitment. Each year our teams celebrate with a wellbeing day – it could be coffee and canvas or fish and chips by the bay. We also have a dedicated wellbeing group who run initiatives through the year, like massage day
• Six weeks paid parental leave: After 12 months of employment, employees are eligible for six weeks of paid parental leave by CADA. This can also be used for those who may foster and adopt
• Supervision: As well as regular internal supervision sessions, CADA pays for up to five external supervision sessions for all staff members per year
• And much more.

ABOUT THE ROLE

CADA encourages applicants from a variety of backgrounds, we value a diverse workforce and pride ourselves on inclusivity. We offer internal employment and development opportunities. People from an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander background are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Mental Health DFV Practitioner will provide expertise on mental health interventions and suicide prevention strategies across all teams within CADA and upskilling opportunities to better address the mental health needs of domestic and family violence survivors. Additionally the role involves active community engagement with stakeholders and services to strengthen support networks and improve mental health outcomes for clients.

QUALIFICATION

Possess a tertiary qualification in social services, counselling and or other related field with minimum of three years experience in a similar or adjacent role.

ROLE REQUIREMENTS

• At least three years experience working in trauma informed mental health and domestic, family and sexual violence practice
• Ability to provide mental health consultation, facilitate staff training and support professional development
• Competent in systems advocacy, mental health referral pathways and developing policies for managing mental health issues
• Ability to assist in crisis situations and mentor staff
• Ability to support and conduct research that aligns with organisational needs
• Experience in providing trauma informed support to women affected by gender based violence, including domestic and family violence, sexual assault and other forms of trauma.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide case consultation that offers guidance on solutions to referral pathways, mental health interventions, including safety planning and risks assessment
• Facilitate staff training, professional development and mentoring on mental health and trauma-informed practices
• Develop resources, map referral pathways and assist staff in establishing mental health referral options for clients
• Assist with the creation and implementation of policies and procedures for managing clients with mental health issues.
• Lead research project/s focussed on CADA and Moreton Bay
• Develop and deliver group sessions for clients and staff on mental health and the intersection with DFSV
• Other duties as directed by the CEO or designated supervisor
• Assist in mentoring, training and supporting new staff and students
• Associated administrative and reporting tasks.

ORGANISATIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Comply with CADA policies and procedures
• Maintain accurate client records and other data as required by CADA and funding body
• Work cooperatively and supportively as a member of a team to achieve the smooth and effective functioning of the service and the achievement of organisational and client goals
• Assist with the development of appropriate written resources in relation to domestic and family violence issues and mental health
• Participate in CADA events, staff supervision, staff meetings and teambuilding activities
• Assist in the development and facilitation of community education and training to raise awareness of the impacts of domestic, family and sexual violence on mental health to increase the capacity of the community and other workers in the region in responding to domestic, family and sexual violence.

SELECTION CRITERIA

1. Tertiary qualifications in a relevant field, along with substantial demonstrated experience in early intervention and primary prevention of domestic, family and sexual violence (DFSV). This includes a comprehensive understanding of the Queensland Domestic and Family Violence Protection Act 2012 and other relevant legislation, guidelines and standards and the intricate dynamics of DFSV, particularly its effects on mental health and trauma.
2. Ability to work in a multidisciplinary team to promote safety and wellbeing for women and families. Experience prioritising and managing multiple demands to a high standard with minimal supervision whilst remaining calm, clear and kind under pressure.
3. Demonstrated experience and knowledge of innovative mental health intervention practices that are creative, evidence informed and use a strengths based approach. Able to adapt to and adopt new research evidence, frameworks and tools as they evolve.
4. Proven experience in establishing effective relationships and networks to collaborate and facilitate appropriate support and safety with a sound understanding of local community referral pathways.
5. Strong verbal and written communication skills including the ability to communicate in a way that is sensitive, simple, clear and transparent to accommodate a range of people in a variety of settings. Ability to use trauma informed approaches to diffuse and manage escalating risk in a timely way.
6. Knowledge and understanding of the issues which impact diverse communities in contemporary society. Demonstrated ability to work effectively and sensitively with people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds including Aboriginal and or Torres Strait Islander peoples.

REQUIREMENTS

• Must inform CADA of any Domestic and Family Violence applications or orders naming you as respondent (current or in the past)
• Blue Card for Working with Children (Queensland)
• Current Queensland Driver’s Licence

If you have any questions, please contact Natasha, Manager Women's Wellbeing Hub

P: 5407 0217 E: [email protected] using the subject line: Mental Health DFV Practitioner enquiry via EthicalJobs.