The Specialist Family Violence Practitioner will work within the Brimbank Melton (IFS) team and the Family Service Alliance to support, mentor and ensure services are well coordinated, and Family Services caseworkers have the skills needed for high quality support to families who experience, at risk of or have experienced family violence.

About The Role

• Part time (0.9 FTE) 
• SCHADS 6.1
• Brimbank Aquatic and Wellness Centre in Keilor Downs 

About You

• Appropriate tertiary qualification in Social Work, Psychology, or a related tertiary discipline is essential
• Demonstrated capacity to provide outreach case management including the ability to carry out comprehensive risk and needs assessments and respond appropriately
• Experience working in the family violence sector
• Experience working in a fast-paced family violence program is highly desirable
• Experience working with high-risk clients is highly desirable
• Demonstrated experience working with women and children presenting with complex needs and behaviours (e.g. trauma, substance abuse, mental health, parenting issues, disability) and/or from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) or indigenous backgrounds
• Demonstrated knowledge of the impacts of family violence and the capacity to apply appropriate theoretical frameworks to practice
• Demonstrated success in maintaining external networks and collaborative relationships with professionals both internal and external
• Demonstrated experience in preparing written reports, maintaining records, including case notes and data base reporting
• Demonstrated success working as part of an effective and productive team, along with the ability to be self-directed
• Experience working with in a high security refuge environment is desirable • Ability to apply protective behaviours techniques which reduce children’s vulnerability
• Demonstrated commitment to personal professional development including knowledge of the Royal Commission into Family Violence Recommendations and the broader impact of the current reforms on the family violence sector
• A current Full Australian Driver’s License
• A satisfactory Police Check
• A current Employee Working with Children’s Check (WWCC)
• Evidence of Covid-19 vaccination, or medical exemption
• You may be required to obtain particular vaccines or immunisations in order to perform the Inherit requirements of this position. This Includes but Is not limited to the COVID-19 vaccine/Immunisation

Family Violence Minimum Mandatory Qualifications under Recommendation 209

As per the minimum mandatory qualifications requirements via https://www.vic.gov.au/mandatory-minimum-qualifications-specialist-family-violence-practitioners :

All candidates wishing to apply for this role must be able to demonstrate that they:

• Are considered EXEMPT under the policy

OR

• Hold a Bachelor of Social Work or other equivalent qualification

OR

• Have minimum 5 years relevant professional experience, OR a related qualification as per the mandatory minimum qualification requirements.

OR

• Hold significant cultural knowledge and experience or lived experience, and have faced barriers to educational pathways

Please note that candidates wishing to enter the specialist family violence workforce via a related qualification or 5 years related professional experience pathway, OR the significant cultural knowledge and experience or lived experience pathways will be required to work towards an equivalent qualification within specified timeframes (as per the mandatory minimum qualifications policy). If you believe these pathways may apply to you and would like more information, please don’t hesitate to contact [email protected] to discuss this further.

ABOUT US

Our 2023-2027 strategy outlines the world we want to see and our role in advancing it. We aspire for all women, girls, and families to be safe, well, strong, and connected. We strive for equity, dignity and social justice for women, girls and families by collaborating globally and acting locally, supporting our communities in Australia and New Zealand to thrive.

We want women, girls and families to live full and dignified lives, have dignified income and enjoy financial wellbeing.  We aim to provide place-based, people-centred, holistic services while working at the system level to achieve bold and audacious reform. We currently offer microfinance programs and products, financial counselling and coaching, family and domestic violence support services, family and youth programs, playgroups, education programs and community houses. These services are complemented by research and strong advocacy to address the underlying structural causes of injustice, exclusion, and inequality. 

Good Shepherd employees are committed to inclusive practice that responds to the specific needs, context, and circumstances of service participants. We embrace the diversity and intersectionality of individuals and recognise a person’s right to a unique identity comprising culture, language, ability, community, gender, sex, sexual orientation and lived experience.

BENEFITS

• Salary packaging (which can add up to $15,900 in tax-free pay per year)
• Paid study leave
• Paid parental leave
• Gifted leave at Christmas and Easter
• Additional purchased annual leave
• Flexible work hours/working from home where possible
• Long service leave due after 10 years, with access after seven
• Employee Assistance Program, a free and confidential counselling service

HOW TO APPLY

To apply please submit a short covering letter outlining your relevant skills and experience along with your CV.  

Please apply as soon as possible through our careers portal, applications are considered as they are received.

To request a copy of the position description, please email [email protected], using the subject line: Specialist Family Violence Practitioner enquiry via EthicalJobs.

Personal data held by Good Shepherd Australia New Zealand relating to employment applications will be used in accordance with our Privacy Statement, which is available on our website.

We recognise the rich diversity of people across Australia. We are committed to ensuring that our team is reflective of the diverse community we serve and to supporting a culture of equity, inclusion and diversity.

Good Shepherd Australia New Zealand is a Child Safe employer. Employment is subject to satisfactory referee checks, a current employment working with Children Check, National Criminal History check and proof of the right to work in Australia.