About us

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. We also provide specialist counselling nationally, through 1800RESPECT.

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.

About the role

The Family Violence Crisis Specialist - Brief Intervention will work as part of the Victorian state-wide Family Violence service, providing a specialist brief intervention case management response to adult and child victim-survivors accommodated by the service.

The position works within an established feminist theoretical and practice approach and collaborative multi-agency context based on best practice knowledge. The role requires the highest level of professionalism, ethical behaviour and compassion.

About you

You must be able to demonstrate the following:

• Tertiary qualifications in counselling, psychology, social work, behavioural science or a related field
• Demonstrated experience within the specialist family violence sector or working with those who have been impacted by domestic, family and sexual violence (telephone counselling advantageous)
• Understanding of the specialist family violence sector in Victoria
• Completion of the Multi Agency Risk Assessment (MARAM) Framework and a demonstrated understanding of its application in the context of Crisis Services
• Understanding of feminist theory and contemporary family violence practice including the gendered nature of violence, social justice principles, crisis intervention and working with trauma.
• Understanding of state based legislation as it pertains to family violence, privacy and child protection legislation relevant to service delivery
• Demonstrated ability to work in a challenging and demanding environment, including working within agreed timeline parameters
• Well-developed oral and written communication skills including ability to communicate effectively with a diverse range of cultural and social groups
• Ability to remain calm under pressure, with a flexible and positive approach
• High level of resilience and self-care practices in place
• Willingness to commit to the living expression of Safe Steps values; courageous, feminist, empowering, ethical respectful, collaborative, reflective
• A current Working With Children Check
• Willingness to undergo a National Police Check
• Completed Covid 19 vaccinations

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.

NOTE: Safe Steps holds a current exemption from the provisions of the Equal Opportunity Act 2010 (Exemption H42/2017). While we reserve the right to exercise this exemption in certain circumstances, Safe Steps values and encourages diversity, inclusion, and equity in all our services, programs and practices.

Apply for this position by submitting your CV and cover letter addressing the selection criteria by the closing date.

Safe Steps welcome applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, workers of all ages, people with disabilities and people who identify as LGBTIQ.

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 is committed to ensuring diversity, inclusion and equity are embedded throughout our organisation for the benefit of all our clients and our staff. We believe our people are our greatest asset and by supporting and incorporating their diverse talents, knowledge, perspectives and experiences, we can strengthen our relationships with the communities we work with. Our focus is on eliminating discrimination in the services we deliver and the workplace we provide. Being a diverse and inclusive organisation that supports and enables equity, goes to the very heart of our work and supports our strategic intent - ‘Building an organisation and culture that is supportive, responsive and sustainable’.