about the role

The purpose of this position is to provide a range of support services and assistance and referrals to women and children who have experienced domestic and family violence that make contact and/or attend the Centre. The positions main focus is based on Case Management and provision of culturally appropriate court support services across the region specifically addressing issues relating to those who have experienced and/or witnessed domestic and/or family violence and homelessness.

The programs provided at the Centre offer wrap around supports to women and children and staff are required to work across all programs from time to time. This position may be required to work across all EDON Place programs. Support women alone, or with children, who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and require a place of safety as a result of leaving a situation of domestic and family violence (as defined in the Domestic and Family Violence Protection Act 2012).

Quality Service Delivery

• Undertake assessments, referrals, and case reviews to a range of clients including provision of group programs for men who are referred due to their use of violence and abuse within their intimate relationships.
• Provide DFV Court services including appointment in Bundaberg and possibility Childers and Gayndah.
• Support colleagues to ensure the provision of timely responses to women, children and men who have experienced domestic and family violence and who are requiring any of the following: information, support, crisis intervention, safety planning, case management, advocacy and/or referral to other services.
• Undertake direct client work with women, children and men who have varying, and complex needs as required.
• Maintain a moderate case load, delivering family support to vulnerable and disadvantaged families and supporting parents in their parenting role affected by Domestic and Family Violence using a family & child centred trauma informed model of practice.
• Identify family’s strengths, establishing goals for the program and reviewing families’ progress towards these goals
• Promote skills which increase child health, safety and development
• Promote skill and goals development through modelling, practice, discussion, and other practical support

External Partnerships and Referrals

• Assess the needs of children/young people and carers, and with the support of Senior Practitioner/Coordinator, make timely referrals to appropriate relevant, and/or specialist support services
• Facilitate and support referral processes and pathways as appropriate.
• Liaise with the local community, service providers and professionals including key local child and family support services
• Link Families to local support networks as needed
• When required, advocate on behalf of the child and their family to access the services and support they require, after consultation with your Senior DFV practitioner and/or Program Coordinator
• For Family Integrated Case meetings/Case reviews and High Risk referrals (wherever applicable in line with Common Risk Assessment Safety Framework) provide support with new client intake processes, assisting with risk/needs assessment within a trauma informed case management approach
• Awareness of Family Law Act, Child Protection Act and knowledge of the current domestic violence legislation and its application to the procedures for obtaining Protection Orders.
• Assist clients to complete and lodge applications for Domestic Violence Protection Orders as required.

Monitoring and Evaluation

• Participate in case reviews with the team to improve client outcomes.
• Undertake risk assessments using the organisation’s documentation and in accordance with protocols.
• Maintain statistics (collecting and recording of program data) as required by Department of Justice and Attorney General through timely recording of data on SHIP (Specialist Homelessness Information Platform), QHIP (Queensland Homelessness Information Platform), VCMS (Vacancy Capacity Management System).
• Provide the Coordinator/CEO with regular high quality written and verbal reports of emerging practice themes, process, procedure and policy implications and other relevant issues.
• Support the maintenance of concise, accurate and legible records including case notes, completed forms and reports as required according to program guidelines;
• Contribute to program evaluation and planning, building on existing strengths and seeking opportunities for enhancement and improvement
• Participate in program debriefing to maximise impact of service provisions to families and children.
• Maintain program compliance across the operations of service delivery by way of continuous improvement in relation to processes, procedures, and policies.
• Contribute to the improvement of the organisations policies, procedures, processes, and related manuals.

Team work, Collaboration & Professional Development

• Maintain enthusiasm and understands the position
• Considers views of others, values diversity in team and supports colleagues
• Demonstrated commitment to and use of appropriate ethical standards and behaviours.
• Attends staff and programmatic team meetings, participate in decision-making processes in consultation with other team members in relation to recommendations to the CEO/Coordinator to contribute to a professional and cohesive environment
• Openly communicate with team members to share ideas and suggestions for program improvements and effectiveness
• Participate in coaching sessions to develop skills and understanding
• Participate in regular internal and external professional supervision
• Participate in other professional development/training as required
• Provide back up support and debriefing to staff as required
• Participate in on-call duties on a roster system.
• Provide HSSU (Home Safety & Security Upgrades) services as required.
• Provide efficient administrative services to other organisations and coordinate support of the specialised needs of the crisis accommodation Centre as required.
• Achieve targets in work plans and understands links with strategic goals.
• Through consultative processes with both staff and service users, help determine key priorities and practice implications for the service.
• Assist in the development and implementation of new projects or initiatives relevant to these key priorities.
• Establish effective partnerships with government and non-government agencies with quality outcomes for women and children who have experienced domestic and family violence.
• Participate in meetings and networks to advocate regarding the issues confronting women and their children who have experienced domestic and family violence in consultation with the Coordinator/CEO.
• Undertake other duties as directed

Essential Knowledge, skills, and abilities required to fulfil the role

• KSC 1 Qualifications – Minimum of diploma level in Community/Human Services or Social Sciences together with minimum two (2) year’s work experience in domestic and family violence or related field; or, working towards tertiary qualification in a relevant discipline; or extensive experience working in a domestic violence agency or related agency.
• KSC 2 Demonstrated commitment to working collaboratively with stakeholders and manage a number of key relationships in order to lead quality outcomes for women, children and men affected by domestic and family violence, with other EDON Place programs, government and non-government agencies and the community.
• KSC 3 Demonstrated understanding of the effects of domestic and family violence and trauma on victims including those from Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander and Culturally & Linguistically Diverse (CALD) backgrounds.
• KSC 4 Demonstrated understanding of the gendered nature of domestic and family violence and the ability to support and maintain direct service delivery that responds effectively to the issues that are a consequence of the violence including associated complex issues.
• KSC 5 Demonstrated experience delivering case management and court support services to women, children who have experienced domestic and family violence with an ability to establish goals collaboratively with families
• KSC 6 Demonstrated understanding of policy and practice in the welfare sector with strong skills in building partnerships and linkages with the service system, fostering effective service delivery.
• KSC 7 Demonstrated understanding of and commitment to the principles of equity, diversity, continual improvement, risk management and occupational health and safety.
• KSC 8 Excellent written and oral communication skills (including public speaking and presentations) value adding to good interpersonal skills
• KSC 9 Demonstrated ability and experience to work collaboratively as well as independently with an aim to flexibly manage competing priorities and stressful situations, monitoring own stress levels and practicing and promoting self-care strategies.
• KSC10 Sound knowledge of and/or demonstrated ability in facilitating groups in compliance with Department of Justice and Attorney-General – Queensland practice Standards.

Desirable Knowledge, skills, and abilities required to fulfil the role

• KSC 11 Knowledge and understanding of the stresses on vulnerable families and the range of family risk and protective factors which impact on child outcomes
• KSC 12 Knowledge and experience in group processes and facilitation, especially with vulnerable families
• KSC 13 Knowledge of effective parenting and behaviour management techniques

POSITION SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Staff must hold a current driver’s licence along with a valid Working with Children Card and undergo a Criminal Records Check prior to employment. Subsequently, staff must report any criminal convictions or Criminal Court Proceedings.

REWARDS AND REMUNERATION

• Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award (SCHADS) 2010 – Level 4

A position description is attached.

For a confidential discussion or questions regarding the position, please contact direct line manager Kyle, Team Leader - phone 07 4153 6820.