Safe Steps is the only 24/7, family violence response centre in Victoria, providing a “state-wide entry point” for victim-survivors of domestic and family violence. Services include information and referral, crisis response, specialist family violence risk assessment, safety planning, Webchat, and access to supported crisis accommodation.

Our vision is safety, support and respect for all victim-survivors of domestic and family violence.

Our practice is trauma-informed and guided by evidence. We provide services to all victim-survivors and recognise that most of our work is dedicated to the needs of women and children which reflects the gendered nature of domestic and family violence.

The Disability Liaison Officer will provide supports to victim/survivors and/or their dependents with disabilities who are escaping family violence. The role will work with complex clients to provide access to resources intended to ensure an agreed level of care and quality of life and to develop relationships within the broader community to help ensure the best possible outcomes for people living with disabilities.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Service Delivery

• Provision of information, advice and consultation, and where appropriate referral for victim survivors with a disability, their family members or service providers
• Provision of telephone-based family violence crisis intervention to clients who are at serious risk of harm due to family violence that have a disability.
• Provide secondary consultation to family violence specialists both internally and externally to assist with supports to address the disability needs of the victim survivor.
• Work with complex clients to provide access to resources intended to ensure an agreed level of care and quality of life
• Undertaking capacity building both internally at Safe Steps and within the wider community
• Develop relationships within the broader community to help ensure the best possible outcomes for people living with disabilities
• Lead complex negotiations and discussions with family members, medical services, activity services, Police, Mental Health Services, and other community services to support planning for future client requirements and to negate risk.
• Lead internal or community information sessions or consultative processes
• Keep accurate and complete records of your work activities in accordance with legislative requirements and Safes Steps records, information security and privacy policies and requirements
• Participate in the development and implementation of systems that ensure employees are able to deliver desired outcomes for clients including systems to support planning, budgetary, resource management, risk management and quality assurance functions, within area of responsibility

Team Support

• Participates in team activities, attend staff meetings when scheduled, and demonstrate a supportive approach to colleagues which contributes to the overall team effectiveness

Professional Development and Continuous Improvement

• Maintain and develop theoretical knowledge and practice wisdom in and meet core values and behaviours of Safe Steps.
• Demonstrate a commitment to reflective practice, professional debriefing and supervision

Occupational Health and Safety

• Meet Occupational Health and Safety obligations in line with Safe Steps’ Policy and Procedures as well as relevant legislation

Other

• Perform other duties consistent with the position where required and/or requested by management from time to time.
• Complete mandatory and other training as required.
• Adhere to all organisational policies and procedures, including all workplace health and safety measures.

Desired Skills and Experience

KEY SELECTION CRITERIA - Essential

• Tertiary qualifications in Disability, Social Work or equivalent
• A thorough knowledge of the Disability Act 2006, modern trends in service provision to people with a disability and the implications for service delivery would be expected
• Experience and understanding in of NDIA/NDIS and working with Local Area coordinators (LAC’s)
• Experience working with attendant carers, disability support workers and family violence services
• A good understanding of the impact and barriers of family violence on a person with a disability
• Good understanding of the needs and issues for people who have a disability and a comprehensive knowledge of the range of generic and specialist services available to clients including but not limited to physical, emotional, and mental health, accommodation, legal matters, employment, and education
• Demonstrated experience within the specialist Family violence sector or working with those who have been impacted by domestic, family, and sexual violence
• Experience in undertaking comprehensive risks and needs assessments and risk management responses
• Well-developed oral and written communication skills including the ability to communicate effectively with a diverse range of cultural and social groups

KEY SELECTION CRITERIA - Other

• Willingness to commit to the living expression of Safe Steps values; Integrity, Diversity and Empowerment.
• Right to work in Australia
• A current Working with Children Check
• Willingness to undergo a National Police Check

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

• This role is exempt from the provision of the Equal Opportunity Act 2010 which would otherwise require the appointment to this position to be on a non-gender specific basis. Applications for this position will be considered from people who identify as women (Exemption H135/2022).
• This position is designated under the Multiagency Risk Assessment and Management framework (MARAM) Comprehensive (Tier 1) level which requires mandated MARAM Family Violence Comprehensive training and MARAM Comprehensive responsibilities. FV Specialist Practitioners
• Safe Steps is a child safe organisation and is committed to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all children, at all times. All Safe Steps services, programs and practices are in compliance with Victoria’s Child Safe Standards.
• Safe Steps recognises that risk management, and the sound and effective implementation of a risk management strategy with associated tools and plans, is a key process in a best practice framework at all levels of the organisation. We are committed to the implementation and maintenance of a formal risk management system in order to provide a sound quality and governance framework that aligns with the Australian Standard for Risk Management (AS/NZS ISO 31000:2018) and ensures there are linkages between risk management and decision making, there is clearly articulated accountability, and there is mandate and commitment from all key staff in the organisation.
• Safe Steps is committed to the principles of continuous quality improvement (CQI) in all aspects of its operations, service delivery and governance. We place the highest priority on the safety and wellbeing of those we support and provide services to.
• All offers of employment are subject to satisfactory background checks including a National Police Check (including an international police check if resided continuously in an overseas country for 12 months or more in the last ten years), Working with Children Check, disclosure of previous or current disciplinary action, referee checks, proof of eligibility to work in Australia and qualification checks.
• Where background checks are not to the satisfaction of Safe Steps in its absolute discretion, the offer of employment may be retracted or terminated.
• If you are offered employment with Safe Steps, you will be required to disclose full details of any pre-existing injuries or illness that may be affected by the work and/or undergo a health assessment. The disclosure/health assessment is conducted to ensure you have the health and mental capacity to meet the requirements of the position and to identify any adjustments that may need to be made in the workplace. Non-disclosure of a pre-existing injury or illness which might be affected by the nature of the proposed employment, could result in that injury or illness being ineligible for future compensation claims.

INTERESTED? APPLY TODAY!

If this sounds like the role for you then click on the 'Apply Now' button below.

Please note:

• Your application will not be considered unless you provide a cover letter responding to the key selection criteria (maximum 2 pages of text) and a brief Resume.
• Applications will be assessed as they are received. We reserve the right to close the application period early if a suitable candidate is found.
• Applications must be submitted through the Safes Steps Jobs Portal unless another accessible method has been discussed.