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.

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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.

PAY LEVEL: SCHADS Level 5 - Pay Point 1 ($49.28)

CONTRACT TYPE: Permanent - Full Time

NUMBER OF PLACES: 1

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Main Accountabilities

• Ensure that services are delivered of high quality, and in line with the Code of Practice for Specialist Family Violence Services and the Multi-Agency Risk Assessment and Management (MARAM) Framework
• Maintain a caseload of clients as directed by the Senior Practitioner or Program Manager
• Provide face to face support, information, advocacy, referrals and assistance to adults and their children who are being accommodated by Safe Steps in residential services accommodation.
• Ensure provision of a case management response to adult and child victim survivors accommodated by Safe Steps in residential services accommodation.
• Develop risk management plans in consultation with victim-survivors that promote their safety & recovery from family violence. Work with victim-survivors to reach the goals identified therein
• Assess and respond to family violence risk within the MARAM service delivery framework to support the safety of victim survivors
• Liaise with, advocate for, and refer clients to other agencies including refuges and other accommodation sources to secure access for clients to the services and service pathways they require
• Contribute to project and other activities designed to improve the statewide family violence crisis response service
• Ensuring the Safe Steps supported accommodation services are accessible to, and respond appropriately to, the most vulnerable clients including those with a disability, mental health, drug & alcohol and high and complex needs

Team Support

• Participate 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 (family/domestic violence, feminist theory, intersectional feminism and working with trauma) and meet core values and behaviours of Safe Steps
• Demonstrate a commitment to reflective practice, professional debriefing and supervision

Occupational Health & Safety

• Meet Occupational Health & 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.
• Promote and uphold Safe Steps' values of integrity, diversity, and empowerment.
• Implement strategies to ensure a welcoming and safe environment for all clients and staff, including those from the LGBTIQ+ community, CALD, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and people with disabilities
• Engage in continuous quality improvement (CQI) to enhance service delivery and governance, ensuring inclusivity and equity.
• Collaborate with services to provide comprehensive support for the LGBTIQ+, CALD, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and Disabilities Communities. Complete mandatory and other training as required
• Complete mandatory and other training as required.
• Adhere to all organisational policies and procedures, including all workplace health and safety measures.

KEY SELECTION CRITERIA - Essential

• Ability to work 3.00pm-11.30pm shift and day shift on a Sunday
• Tertiary qualifications in counselling, psychology, social work, behavioural science or a related field

• Demonstrated experience providing face to face client support within the specialist family violence sector or working with those who have been impacted by domestic, family and sexual violence
• Demonstrated knowledge of the effects of family violence on children and an ability to conduct a comprehensive family risk assessment that gives priority to the safety of children
• Understanding of the specialist family violence sector in Victoria
• Completion of the Multi Agency Risk Assessment (MARAM) Framework training and a demonstrated understanding of its application in the context of Crisis Services or the willingness to undergo training at employment start
• 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
• Excellent communication, interpersonal and negotiation skills

KEY SELECTION CRITERIA - Other

• Commitment to a 24/7 service with flexibility to undertake or backfill a variety of shifts times including weekends and public holidays
• Willingness to undertake further training and development
• Willingness to commit to the living expression of Safe Steps values; Integrity, Diversity and Empowerment.
• Experience in promoting diversity, inclusion, and equity within an organisation.
• Understanding of the unique challenges faced by priority groups including the LGBTIQ+ community and strategies to address them.
• A current Working With Children Check
• Willingness to undergo a National Police Check
• Current Driver’s License
• Current Level 2 First Aid – Or willingness to attend training
• AOD and/or Mental Health training – Or willingness to attend training

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

• While Safe Steps reserve the right to exercise an Equal Opportunity Exemption in certain circumstances (H135/2022), Safe Steps values and encourages diversity, inclusion, and equity in all our services, programs, and practices.
• 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.
• Safe Steps is an organisation committed to an inclusive and accessible workplace for all. We strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, people with disabilities, those from diverse cultural, linguistic, and religious backgrounds, all ages, LGBTQIA+ people, and those with a diversity of experiences. While we reserve the right to exercise Equal Opportunity Exemptions in certain circumstances, Safe Steps values and encourages diversity, inclusion, and equity in all our services, programs, and practices.
• Safe Steps is a child safe organisation and is committed to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all children, including those identifying as LGBTIQA+ 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.