Specialist Family Violence Practitioner

Wellsprings for Women established in 1994 in Dandenong, Victoria, is a community- based organisation dedicated to supporting women to gain control over their lives, recognise the root causes to the barriers they face and gain skills they need to achieve their goals. Wellsprings provides a range of services and programs that are designed in consultation with women especially women of migrant, refugee and asylum seeker background and women impacted by mental health, trauma, poverty and family violence. We operate across the Cities of Dandenong and Casey and the Shire of Cardinia.

We are a neighbourhood house and a Learn Local, with a specialisation in women’s issues. We service the most multicultural population in Victoria. We are committed to gender equality, human rights and a society where women are safe and free from violence.

This position is open to females only. Wellsprings for Women’s conduct falls within the exceptions contained in sections 28 and 88 of the Victorian Equal Opportunity Act 2010.

• Salary SCHADS 4 - level to be negotiated depending on skills and experience in the sector.
• Role is offered full time but open to be part time if preferred
• We offer 12% super and annual salary packaging up to $15,900 per annum
• The role includes outreach work in Dandenong , Casey and Cardinia

Position purpose

The Specialist Family Violence Practitioner will undertake risk assessment, safety planning, information provision, referrals and advocacy for women who are experiencing Family Violence. provides immediate assistance, referrals, case assessment, support, and coordination. also ensures that women who require additional support are linked with appropriate services and provides short term support until case allocation.

Main tasks

Core objectives include:

• Provide confidential, professional, timely and relevant advice.
• Identify and respond to immediate risks and needs for potential clients.
• Undertake comprehensive assessments and support clients to make informed decisions to meet her/ her children’s individual needs
• Provide women with information about available services and options to assist them in exercising choice on an informed basis.
• Make appropriate referrals for women and children to access crisis accommodation and other relevant services.
• Collect the information required for registration and the case allocation process
• Collate and enter data into software( SHIP) to support clear and concise reporting;
• Provide short-term support for higher risk clients between referral and case allocation, if required
• Help build and maintain effective working relationships with main referral bodies and key agencies
• Ensure a safe work environment and compliance with policies and legislation; The above list is not exhaustive and the role may change to meet the overall objectives of the organisation.

Other Duties · Fulfil other duties as required by management and other department personnel as requested/required. ·

Person Specification

Qualifications · Tertiary qualifications in Social Work, or an accepted and approved qualifications, or exemptions as per Recommendation 209 of the Royal Commission Inquiry into Family Violence in Victoria.

Experience

• Relevant experience in engaging with women from migrant and refugee backgrounds

Knowledge

• Demonstrate understanding of the issues involved in working with women from a multicultural background, including intersectional factors impacting women and children affected by family violence
• Demonstrated contemporary knowledge of crisis intervention and feminist practice frameworks, and how this is utilised to understand and respond to the gendered nature of violence against women;

Skills & competencies

• Well-developed communication skills, conflict resolution and team work;
• Experience in working with interpreters including telephone interpreters.

Personal attributes

• Genuine commitment to social justice and to assisting migrant and refugee women and children;
• High ethical standards and values, ability to act with integrity and confidentiality.

Other (Essential)

• Ability to work calmly and consistently under pressure with the ability to manage competing priorities.
• Well-developed stake holder skills with a range of professionals
• Current National Police Check · Current Working with Children Check (WWCC)
• Must hold a current Victorian car license and have access to own car due to the outreach aspects of the role

Other desirable:

• Fluency in a language other than English relevant to our target population

Inquiries

For more information on this role please contact: Oula Ibrahim or email Oula@wellspringsforwomen.com using the subject line: Specialist Family Violence Practitioner

Please click Apply Now to submit your application.

A position description is attached.