At Emerge Women & Children's Support Network, we are dedicated to supporting individuals and families impacted by family violence. Specialising in the complex needs of children, we provide holistic, trauma-informed support to help individuals achieve safety, autonomy, and healing while working to disrupt the cycles of family violence.

About Us:

Emerge provides essential services for families escaping violence, including:

• Crisis support and accommodation for women and children through our secure refuge and community housing.
• Strength-based case management for women and children.
• Advocacy and holistic support for families navigating systems and resources.
• Research to build the evidence base for early intervention and prevention strategies.
• Therapeutic support to assist recovery from trauma, including arts therapy, play therapy, infant wellbeing, and dyadic support.

Role Details:

• Job Title: Refuge Team Leader
• Employment Type: Part Time – 7 days per fortnight plus weekend shifts (Thursday mandatory)
• Location: Kingston/Bayside area (confidential location for safety purposes)
• Award Classification: SCHADS Award Level 7

About the Role:

This part-time role (7 days per fortnight, plus weekend shifts) is based at our confidential refuge in the Bayside/Kingston area. As the Family Violence Team Leader, you will be responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the refuge while also leading and supporting a team of Support Workers and Case Managers.

In this role, you will take the lead on the design, coordination, and implementation of several key programs, ensuring they are tailored to meet the needs of our clients. This includes managing our legal program, coordinating weekend and school holiday activities, and ensuring all programs are delivered with a trauma-informed approach.

You’ll work closely with your team to ensure the smooth running of refuge operations, providing leadership and support to create a safe and empowering environment for our clients and staff.

Key Responsibilities:

• Leadership and Support: Manage and mentor a team of Support Workers (and Case Managers, as required) to deliver trauma-informed family violence interventions. Provide guidance, foster collaboration, and build a supportive team environment.
• Operational Management: Oversee the daily operations of the refuge, ensuring that all processes run smoothly and efficiently, even during weekends.
• Programs and Projects: Coordinate programs and activities that support clients’ recovery and empowerment, ensuring continuity of care throughout the week and on weekends.
• Acting Leadership: Step into the role of other Team Leaders or the Service Delivery Director when required, maintaining seamless leadership and uninterrupted service delivery.
• Trauma-Informed Approach: Ensure all interventions and services are delivered using a trauma-informed, client-centred framework to support the unique needs of women and children accessing the refuge.
• Participate in on-call roster: Provide after hours support to team and clients.

About You:

To be considered for this role, you must meet the minimum qualifications outlined in the Victorian Recommendation 209:

• Hold a Bachelor of Social Work or equivalent degree or graduate certificate in social work, psychology, family violence, or a related field.
• Meet the Minimum Mandatory Qualification Standards for specialist family violence practitioners as specified by the Victorian Government.
• Be willing to undertake additional training, if required, to meet qualification standards
  You will also:
• Hold a current Working with Children Check.
• Possess a valid Victorian Driver’s Licence.
• Provide a clear National Police Check.
• Be experienced in family violence or trauma-informed practice and committed to empowering women and children.
• Must have a minimum of three years family violence experience and two years leadership experience.

Staff Benefits:

At Emerge, we value our team members and offer a range of benefits, including:

• Generous salary packaging options to increase your take-home pay.
• A comprehensive professional development package to support your growth.
• Bonus mental health leave days to prioritise your wellbeing.
• Birthday leave to celebrate your special day.
• Parental leave: 8 weeks of paid leave.
• Free counselling via our Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

Diversity and Inclusion:

Emerge Women & Children's Support Network is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce. We strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, as well as those from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) and LGBTIQA+ backgrounds.

Emerge has a special measure to the Equal Opportunity Act 2010 (Vic) which provides for Emerge employing only women or people who identify as women due to the nature of the service.

If you are passionate about empowering women and children and want to be part of our transformative work, we would love to hear from you. Please apply via ethical jobs by answering the questions and submitting a cover letter and resume.