• Full time position till 30 June 2025
• First Nations People, LGBTIQA+ people, people with disability, people of colour, public housing residents or people with a lived experience are encouraged to apply
• DS is committed to child safety and strictly adheres to the Reportable Conduct Scheme for organisations. The safeguarding and wellbeing of our clients is our core focus. All staff must undergo thorough recruitment process including screening and providing evidence of current Working With Children Check and National Police Check.

About the role

Working within Queerspace and the Family Violence Response Team, the Senior Practitioner will lead and provide high quality therapeutic, mental health and family violence services to LGBTIQA+ people within Drummond Street Services (DS) Family Services Model of Practice. 

This particular Senior Practitioner role will oversee the provision of group based and individual support to women and trans and gender diverse people who use harm in relationships. Futures Free from Violence, a program for women and trans and gender diverse people using harm who want to change their behaviour and Living Free from Violence, a program for incarcerated women and trans and gender diverse people using harm who want to change their behaviour delivered at DPFC. The role is based in Carlton, with four direct reports, you will also support the team to provide secondary consultation, reflective practice, training and co-work to other staff and programs across our organisation. 

This role will work in close collaboration with a second Senior Practitioner who supports victim/survivors, with both senior roles reporting directly to the Queerspace Family Violence Manager. Ideal candidates are passionate, committed to social justice and cultural safety, are trauma informed and are affirmative of all children, young people, families, adults and communities. 

Your responsibilities

• Lead and collaborate with a trans-disciplinary team to ensure delivery of high quality, client led counselling, family violence and support services across Queerspace and the Family Violence Response Team
• Provide supervision and practice support to a team of four practitioners, including client allocation and group planning.
• Participate in individual and group supervision as well as communities of practice.
• Ensure performance targets are met and that data and evaluation material is collected and input into our client information systems consistently and in a timely way
• Contribute to the preparation of reports for funders
• Lead and inspire high performance teams by engaging staff, setting clear direction and performance expectations
• Take direction and complete tasks as required by your line manager, the Queerspace Family Violence Manager
• Contribute to and foster a positive and affirmative team environment
• Adhere to relevant family violence and child safety legislative requirements. This role holds Tier 1 responsibilities under the MARAM.

About you

• Use collaborative leadership and management techniques to support and empower team members
• Bring experience and confidence to your leadership, ensuring our staff group reflects the communities we service by upholding cultural safety for staff and in our service practices
• Highly skilled and experienced Senior Practitioner with leadership experience
• Demonstrate a strong understanding of child and adolescent development, whole of family practice, recovery-oriented trauma informed practice and the impact of structural disadvantage on individuals, families and communities, such as racism, sexism, Islamophobia, homophobia or transphobia. 

Selection Criteria:

All of the following must be addressed in your application to be considered.

Essential

• Minimum Degree level qualification in Social Work or the equivalent.
• Highly skilled Senior Practitioner with leadership experience
• A minimum of three years’ experience in the family services, family violence and/or mental health sectors
• Demonstrate knowledge and application of LGBTIQA+ specialist and mainstream therapeutic approaches for people who have used harm in their relationships. 
• Ability to contribute to the organisations culture, people, research and best practice, along with high level written skills.
• Demonstrate your genuine interest and commitment to collaborating with First Nation, LGBTIQA+, and people of colour. Use examples.

Please review the position description which outlines the full list of responsibilities and key selection criteria

Application process

• All applications will be directed to our careers portal – Senior Practitioner - Queerspace & Family Violence Response
• All applicants must include a resume and with a cover letter addressing all the key selection criteria for the position

Applicants shortlisted for an interview will be required to provide evidence of their qualifications during the interview process

To discuss your expression of interest in this role contact Heather McIntosh, 9663 6733 or [email protected] using the subject line: Senior Practitioner - Queerspace & Family Violence Response enquiry via EthicalJobs.