You will work within a small team of like-minded individuals in a multidisciplinary team providing legal advice, advocacy, representation, counselling, financial counselling and other support to provide integrated, holistic, trauma informed, wraparound client services.

You will have the opportunity to get out into the community to raise awareness of family and domestic violence and the barriers our clients face every day. There will also be opportunities to influence law and policy through your work.

As part of the Commonwealth government’s National Plan to reduce Violence against Women and their Children 2022-2032, SCALES Community Legal Centre has been funded to deliver ‘wrap-around’ legal and non-legal services to women impacted by FDSV. The service provides intensive, trauma informed assistance and targets the most vulnerable and at-risk women.

Excited yet? Want to know more? What is in it for you?

• Competitive salary in the range of $97,500 to $102,000) (pro rata), plus
• Salary Packaging
• Employer funded superannuation
• Paid leave during the festive season office closure period
• Above Award Long Service Leave entitlements
• Professional training and growth opportunities
• Employee Assistance Program
• Full or part time position
• Part time requests considered
• Flexible working options considered.

The Client Advocate will:

• Work proactively with SCALES’ staff to provide comprehensive, ‘wraparound’ advocacy and support to women impacted by family, domestic and sexual violence.
• Be part of a team of likeminded professionals who are committed to what they do, to get the best possible results for clients.
• Enjoy challenging, self-directed, varied and rewarding work.
• Contribute to the ongoing development of a centre of excellence to assist women impacted by family violence.
• Ideally have or be working towards a degree in an area such as Social Work, Counselling, or Psychology.

About SCALES

SCALES is a not-for-profit community legal centre based in Rockingham providing a range of free legal services to the community.

SCALES aims to:

• Work in partnership with others to provide access to justice through holistic legal services including individual assistance, community education and systemic advocacy.
• Provide opportunities for clinical legal education programs that develop the skills and ethical practice of law students within a human rights framework.

Client Advocate key responsibilities

• Work with women to conduct comprehensive risk assessments and develop risk management and safety plans.
• Provide practical support, advocacy and referrals to assist women access resources and support such as crisis accommodation, housing, income support and debt relief, personal counselling and support in court proceedings.
• Develop partnerships between the SCALES Family Violence Unit and other agencies working with women impacted by family violence, including police, other FDSV services, counselling and crisis support services, and local health services.
• Work closely with police, criminal justice system and other service providers to reduce or manage the risk posed by the perpetrator and ensure women receive coordinated support.
• Provide specialist FDSV information to the team and community workers and contribute to the development of community legal education programs.

Essential Criteria

• Demonstrated experience in providing support and advocacy to women and children impacted by FDSV and/or who are in crisis.
• Demonstrated experience in case managing clients in an ongoing capacity and coordinating services involved in assisting the client.
• Demonstrated experience conducting risk assessments, determining the level of risk and safety planning.
• Demonstrated understanding of FDSV including the individual, familial, legal and social issues involved.
• Knowledge of community resources relevant to the needs of women and children impacted by FDSV.
• Demonstrated experience in community networking and ability to collaborate effectively with a variety of government and non-government organisations.
• Excellent interpersonal skills including ability to communicate with clients with empathy and work with clients experiencing trauma.
• Strong written communication skills and quality file management and record keeping skills.
• Knowledge of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and an understanding of ongoing issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and people from culturally diverse backgrounds.
• Understanding of and commitment to principles of social justice and to working effectively with vulnerable and disadvantaged people.

The successful candidate will be required to provide a current Police Clearance and Working with Children Card (WWCC). SCALES will arrange and pay for these documents on commencement.

Desirable Criteria

• A degree or diploma or working towards the completion in an area such as social work, counselling, psychology or community services.
• ·An understanding of and commitment to the work of community legal centres
• Experience/knowledge in project evaluation, monitoring and reporting

Remuneration and benefits

This role is a full-time position (37.5 hours per week), however, part time applications will be considered.

We offer attractive employment benefits including salary sacrificing, opportunities for professional development, flexible working conditions and a friendly team environment.

The salary level is 5 under the SCHADS Industry Award (MA 000100) ($97,500 to $102,000 per annum.

The Salary package includes employer funded superannuation in accordance with the Superannuation Guarantee (Administration) Act 1992 (Cth) as well as the benefits of leave loading on annual leave. Tax effective salary packaging is also available.

Additional benefits include additional leave during Christmas office closure, flexible workplace, free parking, and office close to large shopping centre and public transport

SCALES recognises the value that people of diverse backgrounds bring to the workplace.

We are committed to improving employment opportunities and outcomes through the recruitment, development and retention of a diverse workforce. We encourage you to indicate within your application to which diversity group you belong to.

Further Information: If, after reading the job description, you have additional questions, please contact Gai Walker (she/her) at SCALES on (08) 9550 0410.

A position description is attached.