The Organisation

The Family Co. is a not-for-profit organisation which aims to support and strengthen the capacity of families within our community by providing programs and services designed to contribute to the promotion and maintenance of safety and well-being amongst all family members.

The Program

The Family Co. provides auspice for SSWDVCAS and is the Court Advocacy Service for Sutherland Shire and St. George regions in Sydney Our Southern Sydney Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service provides information, advocacy and referrals for women and families attending Sutherland Court for Apprehended Domestic Violence Orders.

The Position

The Domestic and Family Violence Specialist Worker (Aboriginal Focus) assists the Manager in service delivery. The role provides high-level advice regarding how to ensure the WDVCAS is relevant, accessible and responsive to Aboriginal women and their children to the WDVCAS Manager.

This position is funded as a full-time position, which includes the capacity for the DFV Specialist Worker to engage in community engagement and/or outreach activities, on average two days per week. This is because community engagement and/or outreach activities are critical in assisting the DFV Specialist Worker (Aboriginal Focus) to build trusting relationships between the WDVCAS and Aboriginal communities. This facilitates best-practice service delivery informed by the needs of women and their children experiencing domestic and family violence within these communities.

Day to day duties of the role include, but are not limited to:

• Accepting referrals
• Contacting clients, completing a threat assessment and safety planning
• Liaising with team members in regards to clients referred to the Safety Action Meeting (SAM)
• Providing relevant information and making warm referrals to a range of service providers to assist clients with their ongoing needs
• Liaising with clients in relation to Safety Action Plans developed at SAMs and/or support provided, or arranged, by the WDVCASs
• Attending court on AVO list days and other days to support clients, in particular Aboriginal women and children
• Developing and maintaining strong working relationships with key WDVCAS partners
• Complying with policies and procedures
• Developing solid working relationships and referral networks with local services that respond to the particular needs of Aboriginal women and children, for example attending Aboriginal Health Services, Aboriginal Community Justice Groups and/or NSW Police Force Aboriginal Consultative Committee Meetings
• Developing links with local Aboriginal communities to promote the services of the WDVCAS and encourage women to use the services of the WDVCAS
• Participating in NAIDOC Week, Sorry Day, Reconciliation Celebrations, Survival Day (Australia Day) and other local Aboriginal community activities and initiatives which help promote the services of the WDVCAS
• Providing high level advice to the Manager to develop and implement strategies aimed at making WDVCAS services relevant, accessible and responsive to the needs of Aboriginal women and children
• Providing advice to the Manager about local issues affecting Aboriginal clients and access to WDVCAS services and legal processes

Selection Criteria

Essential:

1. Understanding of domestic and family violence, its complexities and consequences, particularly as they affect Aboriginal women and children, and sensitivity to their needs
2. Knowledge and understanding of the criminal justice response to domestic and family violence including AVO applications and criminal prosecutions and related legal matters such as family law, care and protection, migration and victim’s compensation issues
3. Ability to deliver services in accordance with the WDVCAP model of service delivery outlined in the WDVCAP Service Agreement, this Policy and Procedure Manual, the SAM Manual and operational documents
4. Ability to work with local Aboriginal communities and the broader community to promote awareness of domestic and family violence and WDVCAS services
5. Excellent communication skills, particularly in negotiation, advocacy and conflict resolution
6. Excellent networking skills
7. Demonstrated ability to engage effectively with clients in crisis and provide appropriate, trauma-informed support
8. Excellent organisational and administrative skills
9. Current clearance in relation to Working with Children or other relevant NSW Police Force checks

The successful applicant will benefit from working for a supportive organisation with excellent ongoing professional development opportunities and availability of salary sacrifice options. The Family Co. considers being a woman is a genuine occupational qualification for this position under s.31 of the Anti-Discrimination Act.

To apply for this role, click "Apply Now" and follow the instructions.

If you have any questions regarding the role, please contact Michelle at [email protected] using the subject line: Domestic and Family Violence Specialist Worker - Aboriginal Focus enquiry via EthicalJobs.