Family Safety Advocate

ABOUT US

Allied Justice has a 35-year history of providing free legal services to people experiencing deep and persistent disadvantage. We have invested significantly in the development of our new Strategy 2025-2027 to ensure our organisation is providing contemporary integrated services to respond the shared and unique needs of the people we support across 11 local government areas in Western Victoria.

Our commitment is to change life stories through better access to justice, and we achieve this by applying our values – respect, courage, empowerment & kindness – to the people of the communities we serve, our stakeholders and our colleagues.

By providing legal services, community legal education, law reform and integrated services through client centred, trauma informed and culturally safe practice, we will improve the safety and wellbeing of families and individuals.

THE ROLE

This role is part-time, two days per week, based in Horsham.

The Family Safety Advocate will provide active engagement and referral support to vulnerable families seeking help for their interrelated legal, health and family issues, including those experiencing or at risk of family violence. Working within the context of a health justice partnership (HJP), the Engagement and Referral Practitioner will work collaboratively with our partner organisations such as Maternal Child Health services and works in a multi-disciplinary team to offer wrap around person-centred support.

Reporting to the Justice Partnership Manager, this position is responsible for:

• Identify opportunities within the partnerships to connect with families who may be experiencing interrelated legal, health and family issues including family violence
• Complete legal health checks with clients, undertake MARAM risk assessments, advocate for rights and services holding a social justice lens
• Create early intervention engagement opportunities with families, including through the delivery of non-legal clinics and community education
• Support families to engage with a lawyer when direct legal services are the solution to unmet legal need
• Support Allied Justice clients through the legal process using a multidisciplinary framework with clear goals and objectives
• Navigate the core and specialised support services, complete warm referrals as required to achieve client goals.

KEY SELECTION CRITERIA

1. Experience in supporting individuals and families affected by family violence
2. Ability to design service delivery within the project guidelines and funding requirements
3. Demonstrated ability to think innovatively and with a best practice mindset
4. Cultural awareness and an understanding of how to communicate and work effectively with families from different socio-economic and cultural backgrounds
5. Experience in working collaboratively with stakeholders to achieve the desired outcome

QUALIFICATIONS

• Tertiary qualification in a relevant field, such as community services, social work, public policy or law, or significant experience in a similar role.
• Current Victorian Driver’s Licence
• Cleared National Police Record Check (it is the responsibility of all staff to notify the organization immediately if there are any changes to their criminal records status)
• Current right to work in Australia
• Valid, employer Working with Children Check
• Physical ability to safely undertake all aspect of the position

Please apply with cover letter and resume via Seek. Applications will be processed on receipt.

This position is located in Horsham with hybrid arrangements negotiable.

As a child safe organisation, Allied Justice requires disclosure of any formal disciplinary action by a current or former employer, including any finding of improper or unprofessional conduct.

We welcome applications from people of all genders, ages, First Nation peoples, people with disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and from lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, gender diverse and intersex people.