Social Worker

Women’s Legal Service Victoria | Melbourne CBD | Immediate start | Hybrid working model | Full time or Part time – negotiable (minimum 0.8 FTE) | Ongoing

• Be a part of a feminist community legal service supporting Victorian women and non-binary people.
• Your expertise will directly contribute to building a more gender-equitable society.
• $109,826.08 + super + NFP salary packaging, 5 weeks annual leave and flexible work arrangements

About Us

For over 40 years Women’s Legal Service Victoria (Women’s Legal) has championed women’s rights to live free from violence. We are a dedicated team with a passion for working with women and non-binary people to live free from violence and discrimination by:

• Providing high quality integrated legal services for Victorian women and non-binary people who are victim-survivors of family violence and disadvantaged or marginalised by structural and systemic barriers;
• Building the capacity of professionals who work with women and non-binary people, to better understand the law and navigate the legal system safely; and
• Advancing gender equality by challenging unsafe and discriminatory policies and laws and informing and advocating for legal and policy initiatives that respect and promote the rights of women and non-binary people.

About the Role

Our social workers collaborate with our lawyers and financial counsellors in an integrated model to assist women and non-binary people who are experiencing family violence. Our social workers support clients and their children in responding to legal and non-legal barriers on their pathway to recovery, with a focus on safety and risk management, and accessing local services and resources.   

This role will contribute to the organisation’s strategic advocacy priorities and outcomes.

• Family Violence risk assessment and risk management using MARAM framework;
• Safety planning, and strategic case planning with lawyers;
• Case management to achieve the best possible outcomes;
• Advocacy and referrals for access to relevant services;
• Outreach support at court, with police, and other locations as appropriate; and
• Collaboration and co-case management with other professionals.

About You

You are a skilled and compassionate social worker with a strong understanding of family violence, trauma, and risk management. You work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team to support women and non-binary people navigating legal and non-legal challenges, focusing on safety, advocacy, and access to essential services. With excellent communication and case management skills, you build trust with clients and external partners to drive meaningful change. You are committed to an intersectional feminist approach; and are passionate about addressing systemic barriers to safety and housing stability for women.

Key to your success is your:

• Knowledge of family violence dynamics, risk assessment frameworks, legal processes, and community resources;
• Commitment to, and understanding of, intersectional feminist practice and related theoretical frameworks, for example attachment theory;
• Enthusiasm for integrated practice, collaboration in working relationships with other staff and external stakeholders;
• A deep understanding of the trauma victim-survivors experience and the capacity to work with complex client presentations in a non-judgemental manner;
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills, with the demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with a diverse range of staff, clients, external stakeholders and organisations;
• Ability to identify systemic barriers, and interest in working towards systemic change in legislation, policy and practice; and
• Demonstrated ability to be flexible, particularly whilst working in an environment of change.

You will:

• Minimum 3 years’ experience in working with a diverse range of women who have experienced family violence including provision of risk and needs assessment, safety planning, crisis support, case management, advocacy, and referrals;
• Experience in working with culturally and linguistically diverse clients, and a commitment to culturally safe practice;
• Bachelor of Social Work (with eligibility for membership to AASW), or equivalent qualifications in the Mandatory Minimum Qualifications (MMQ) Policy; and
• Experience as MARAM Brief and Intermediate practitioner.

Why Women’s Legal?

Be a part of a supportive, inclusive and purpose-driven workplace where your work truly matters.  We offer:

• Competitive remuneration, NFP salary packaging benefits (up to $15,900 in tax-free pay every year) plus meals & entertainment benefits (up to $2,650 tax-free pay per year)
• 5 weeks annual leave, plus bonus paid leave between Christmas and New Year!
• Paid cultural, parental, reproductive health, and gender affirmation leave
• A strong commitment to your professional development, personal development, and wellbeing
• A true hybrid working model and flexible working environment that supports work-life balance
• Fresh fruit available in the office
• Support for your wellbeing with access to our EAP and annual reimbursement limit for your own mental health professional

To apply

Submit a resume and covering letter to tell us how you are the right candidate for this role.  Please ensure the cover letter addresses how you personally align to Women’s Legal values and intersectional feminist principles as described in the attached position description.

Research shows that women are less likely to apply for roles if they don’t meet 100% of the selection criteria. We encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet all the criteria, but this role sounds like a good fit for you. 

All successful candidates will be required to produce a national criminal history check prior to the commencement of their employment.

Disclosure of a criminal record does not necessarily preclude appointment by Women’s Legal, but if needed, we invite applicants to address this issue early in the application phase. Should a criminal record disclosure be advised by a candidate, Women’s Legal will endeavour to provide clarity over whether the conviction would preclude a candidate from being able to carry out the position duties.

Please note, all staff employed by Women’s Legal Service Victoria are required to comply with Section 121 of the Legal Profession Uniform Law.

Enquiries

Enquiries can be emailed to Judy Ma, People & Culture Officer at hr@womenslegal.org.au.

Equal Opportunity Employer

We are committed to creating a safe, inclusive, and respectful workplace. We recognise our work benefits greatly from the unique knowledge, skills, and expertise of individuals with diverse experiences, including women and non-binary people who are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, with disability, with lived experience of family and sexual violence, and from migrant, refugee, culturally and racially marginalised backgrounds.  If this is you, we strongly encourage you to apply.

Note, Women’s Legal relies on an exception under the Equal Opportunity Act to employ women and non-binary people only.