Multiple Roles Available - Fixed Term and Casual
Sutherland Shire and Hurstville office locations |
Full Time Role hours per week
Fixed Term Contract until June
The Organisation:
Sutherland Shire Family Services, trading as The Family Co. is a not-for-profit organisation which aims to support and strengthen the capacity of families within our community by providing programs and services designed to contribute to the promotion and maintenance of safety and well-being amongst all family members.
The Program:
The Family Co. provides auspice for SSWDVCAS and is the Court Advocacy Service for Sutherland Shire and St. George regions in Sydney our Southern Sydney Women's Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service provides information, advocacy and referrals for women and families attending Sutherland Court for Apprehended Domestic Violence Orders.
The Position:
The Domestic and Family Violence (DFV) Specialist Worker provides support to women who are experiencing Domestic and Family Violence, including assessments, referrals, safety planning and court support. This role will also involve co-locating within a police station to provide enhanced access and support to victims of domestic and family violence where they decide to attend a police station .
Responsibilities of this Role:
The work of the DFV Specialist Worker includes, but is not limited to, the following duties:
* Triage: WDVCAS workers may be positioned to assist police to triage reports made at the station through distinguishing between reports requiring a criminal justice response, and those where referral to specific support services may be more appropriate.
* Collaboration: Strengthening relationships with DVOs through the co-location at the police station and build and strengthen relationships with general duties police, increase communication and gain a greater understanding of each other's work.
* Contacting clients, completing a threat assessment and safety planning
* Liaising with team members in regards to clients referred to the Safety Action Meeting (SAM)
* Providing relevant information and making warm referrals to a range of service providers to assist clients with their ongoing needs;
* Liaising with clients in relation to Safety Action Plans developed at SAMs and/or support provided, or arranged, by the WDVCASs;
* Attending court on AVO list days and other days to support clients;
* Developing and maintaining strong working relationships with key WDVCAS partners
* Complying with policies and procedures
* Participating in activities to promote the services of the WDVCAS
Additional role requirements
Co-location Pilot duties include:
* Assisting women who attend a police station to report, or seek help regarding, domestic and family violence, by providing them with information, support and advocacy
* Assisting women who are brought back to a police station by police after a domestic and family violence incident, by providing them with information, support and advocacy
* Supporting women while they give statements regarding domestic and family violence to Police, where appropriate and permitted
* Liaising with Police in regard to domestic and family violence matters generally and participating in local training and information sessions with Police
* Liaising with the SAM Coordinator about clients at 'serious threat'
* Liaising with the WDVCAS Manager and other WDVCAS colleagues as needed to ensure that clients seen at the police station receive a coordinated response (e.g., avoiding duplication if these clients are the subject of CRP referrals)
* Undertaking safety planning and making referrals to assist clients with their ongoing needs
* Participating in and assisting with the Co-location Pilot evaluation
* Complying with the WDVCAP Policy and Procedure Manual, the Domestic Violence Information Sharing Protocol and other relevant documents
* Fulfilling reporting requirements as needed.
Hearing Support Responsibilities:
* Contacting clients in a timely manner, assessing risk and undertaking safety planning in relation to clients' attendance at court for hearing
* Explaining the court process and accompanying clients to court for hearing
* Liaising with Police and court staff to ensure clients have access to remote witness facilities/AVL, safe rooms, qualified interpreters and other supports as needed
* Liaising with Police, Sheriff's officers and court staff to support clients' safety at court (e.g., to prevent harassment or intimidation by defendants)
* Assisting with the organisation of Police Prosecutor Clinics and attending the clinics each month
* Developing and maintaining strong working relationships with key partners including Police, Local Courts, legal representatives and referral agencies, in order to facilitate client access to those agencies and services
* Ongoing Coordination of court related work and training
Essential Knowledge and Skills
1. Knowledge and understanding of the criminal justice response to domestic and family violence including AVO applications and criminal prosecutions and related legal matters such as family law, care and protection, migration and victim's compensation issues;
2. Ability to deliver services in accordance with the WDVCAP best practice model of service delivery outlined in the WDVCAP Service Agreement, this Policy and Procedure Manual, the SAM Manual and operational documents;
3. Ability to work with the local community to promote awareness of domestic and family violence and WDVCAS services;
4. Excellent communication skills, particularly in negotiation, advocacy and conflict resolution;
5. Demonstrated ability to engage effectively with clients in crisis and provide appropriate, trauma-informed support;
6. Knowledge of related legal matters such as family law, care and protection, migration, and victim's compensation issues;
7. Excellent organisational and administrative skills;
8. Excellent Networking Skills and
9. Current WWCC and satisfactory Police Check
10. The successful applicant will be required to complete a NSWPF Baseline National Security Clearance to participate in the Co-location Pilot at local Police Station.
The successful applicant will benefit from working for a supportive organisation. Remuneration will be SCHADS award level 5.1, with excellent ongoing professional development opportunities and availability of salary sacrifice options.
To be eligible to apply The Family Co. considers being a woman is a genuine occupational qualification for this position under s.31 of the Anti-Discrimination Act. You must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident or on a visa with appropriate work rights.
To apply for this position you need to:
1. Provide a Cover Letter with written response addressing the Selection Criteria and
2. Current Resume.
If you have any questions regarding the role, please contact Kim Byron on