• St Kilda Rd, Melbourne
• Not-for-Profit, Community Services
• Attractive salary + super+ salary packaging, Part time (Fixed-term) 0.40FTE, Reporting to the Team Leader - Advocacy
• As per SCHADS Level 5

ORGANISATIONAL OVERVIEW

Council on the Ageing (COTA Victoria) is the leading not-for-profit organisation representing the interests and rights of people aged over 50 in Victoria. For nearly 70 years in Victoria, we have led government, corporate and community thinking about the positive aspects of ageing.

PROGRAM BACKGROUND

Seniors Rights Victoria (SRV) provides leadership across Victoria by addressing and responding to older people experiencing abuse. Elder abuse is any act which causes harm to an older person, carried out by someone they trust such as family or friends. Elder abuse may be physical, sexual, financial, psychological, social and/or neglect.

The service provides information, advice and support relating to elder abuse to older Victorians, their friends and family members and services through telephone information and referral, specialist legal services, individual short-term advocacy and support.

SRV is a program of COTA Victoria.

POSITION OBJECTIVE

This position will be responsible for undertaking advice and casework as part of SRV’s integrated practice team and Health Justice Partnership, as well as supporting the SRV Helpline, and general advocacy of the issue of abuse of older people.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Service development & delivery:

• To work as part of the Health Justice Partnership and casework teams to provide advice and support to older people experiencing or at risk of experiencing elder abuse.
• To respond to calls on the SRV Helpline by providing information and advice on issues relevant to elder abuse, referrals to other services and intake for advice calls.
• To assess the initial needs and goals of the caller, and undertake necessary risk assessments and safety planning.
• To record Helpline and advice data and client notes.
• To undertake outreach to our Health Justice Partnership clinic locations, as required.
• To develop and present community and professional education, information, and training as part of a Health Justice Partnership.
• To contribute to the development of organisational and case policies, procedures, and client resources.
• To attend casework and advocacy team meetings to engage in information sharing and advance short-term advocacy and casework for clients.
• To engage in monthly staff meetings and contribute to the ongoing development of SRV to ensure effective delivery of services.

Communications:

• Communicate effectively with other external services and partners to ensure effective delivery of service systems.

Other:

• Any other duties that may be assigned from

KEY SELECTION CRITERIA

• Qualifications and experience in case work or social work.
• Experience in working in the aged care or community sector
• Excellent understanding of working with older people
• Excellent skills in assessing needs, engaging and responding to older people over the telephone
• Demonstrated ability to work from a human rights and advocacy perspective with clients.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• General level of computer literacy in general office applications (including use of electronic client database and case records).
• Personal attributes in the ideal candidate will include ability to collaborate and to work under pressure.

Please refer to the Position Description attached for further detailed information.