Job description Are you interested in an opportunity to…
* Work for an employer that supports women, children and young people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
* Be part of an inclusive and diverse workforce that places a high value on cultural capability.
* Be rewarded for your efforts with great working conditions that offer salary packaging, flexible working arrangements, learning opportunities and professional development all within a safe and healthy work environment.
* Work for an employer that works in creating safer communities for women, children and young people impacted by domestic, family and sexual violence
About IWSS
Immigrant Women’s Support Service (IWSS) is a specialist organisation that provides support to women, children and young people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds who have experienced domestic, family and sexual violence. We work from an intersectional feminist, social justice and human rights framework that centres inclusion, safety, respect and dignity.
IWSS is committed to an inclusive culture that respects and promotes human rights and diversity.
About the role
As a DFSV Embedded Practitioner (CALD Specialist), you will work as an embedded practitioner within the Centre Against Domestic Abuse (CADA) to increase access to domestic, family and sexual violence services for women from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds in the Moreton Bay region. This is a mobile, community-based role that takes services directly to CALD women, meeting them where they feel safe and comfortable rather than expecting them to navigate unfamiliar mainstream services.
The DFSV Embedded Practitioner (CALD Specialist) is responsible for proactive community engagement, building trust with CALD communities, providing culturally safe crisis intervention and brief support, and creating seamless pathways between community outreach, IWSS specialist services, and CADA programs. This role works in partnership with CADA to enhance cultural responsiveness across the service system while addressing the unique barriers CALD women face when seeking support for domestic, family and sexual violence.
This is a direct community service delivery role focused on engaging hard-to-reach populations, providing immediate crisis intervention and brief support in accessible settings, coordinating warm referrals to appropriate services, and building cultural competency within the broader DFSV service system.
Key duties and responsibilities
* Conduct proactive outreach to engage CALD women experiencing domestic, family and sexual violence across the Moreton Bay region, working in community settings, homes and safe spaces to overcome barriers to mainstream services
* Build trust and relationships with CALD communities, cultural leaders, places of worship, settlement services and multicultural organisations to increase awareness of DFSV support and establish engagement pathways
* Provide trauma-informed crisis intervention including risk assessment, safety planning, emotional support, practical assistance and culturally tailored information about domestic and family violence
* Conduct culturally responsive risk and safety assessments identifying culture-specific vulnerabilities including language barriers, visa concerns, cultural isolation, unfamiliarity with Australian systems and fear of authorities
* Coordinate access to professional interpreters and translation services to ensure culturally safe communication throughout all interactions
* Create warm referral pathways to IWSS, CADA, accommodation, legal, settlement, migration and community-based supports
* Work as an embedded practitioner within CADA's service delivery framework while maintaining connection to IWSS practice and supervision
* Participate in integrated service responses with police, courts, child protection, CADA and multicultural agencies, providing culturally informed input and advocating for CALD women
* Build cultural competency within CADA through secondary consultation and guidance on cultural considerations, interpreter use, visa implications and addressing discrimination
* Develop and deliver community education on domestic and family violence, legal rights and safety planning in partnership with community groups and cultural leaders
* Support women to navigate complex service systems, accompanying them to appointments and advocating for their needs within mainstream services
* Uphold the human rights of all service users and fulfil mandatory reporting obligations in compliance with the Human Rights Act 2019 (Qld), Child Protection Act 1999 (Qld), Domestic and Family Violence Protection Act 2012 (Qld), Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), Child Safe Standards and the Human Services Quality Framework
* Promote cultural safety by reflecting on own practice and contributing to culturally safe policies and services at IWSS
* Maintain accurate, timely documentation and reporting in line with IWSS, CADA and funding body requirements, managing a flexible caseload appropriate to outreach and brief intervention work
* Maintain professional boundaries while working autonomously across varied community settings
* Engage in regular supervision with IWSS Team Leader, participate in IWSS and CADA team meetings, and undertake ongoing professional development in DFSV practice and cultural competency
Essential requirementS
Qualifications and experience:
* Tertiary qualifications in Social Work, Psychology, Counselling, Community Services, or a related discipline
* Minimum 2 years post-qualification experience working with people affected by domestic, family and sexual violence and/or working with culturally and linguistically diverse communities, preferably in an outreach, community engagement or mobile service delivery role
Knowledge and understanding:
* Strong understanding of the complex issues faced by CALD women experiencing domestic, family and sexual violence, including language barriers, visa concerns, cultural isolation, racism and fear of authorities
* Understanding of domestic and family violence as a gendered abuse of power and how culture, migration status and systemic racism compound women's experiences
* Knowledge of the Domestic and Family Violence Protection Act 2012 (Qld), Child Protection Act 1999 (Qld), Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), Migration Act 1958 (Cth), and Child Safe Standards
* Understanding of trauma-informed, victim-survivor-centred, intersectional and culturally safe practice frameworks, including migration pathways, visa implications, outreach methodologies and evidence-informed risk assessment and crisis intervention
Skills and capabilities:
* Strong community engagement and relationship-building with CALD communities, cultural leaders and women who may be isolated or fearful of services
* Demonstrated competence in culturally responsive crisis intervention, risk assessment and safety planning delivered through interpreters, with ability to work autonomously in community settings
* Ability to navigate complex situations involving migration status and cultural dynamics while maintaining focus on women's safety and agency
* Strong caseload management and ability to collaborate across organisations and provide consultation to mainstream practitioners to build cultural competency
Personal attributes:
* Commitment to professional boundaries, ethical practice and confidentiality within close-knit cultural communities
* Demonstrated commitment to child safety, Child Safe Standards, intersectional feminism, anti-racism and client-centred practice
* Genuine commitment to outreach and taking services to marginalised populations, with a proactive, creative and flexible approach
* Ability to manage the emotional demands of trauma work through supervision, debriefing and self-care
Desirable Criteria:
* Eligibility for registration with a professional association (AHPRA, AASW or ACA) as a counsellor, psychologist or social worker
* Previous outreach or mobile service delivery experience in DFSV, community services or settlement services
* Lived experience of migration, language proficiency in community languages, or established connections and credibility with CALD communities in the Moreton Bay region
* Knowledge of settlement services, migration advice pathways, visa options and CALD community resources in Queensland, with experience providing community education or capacity building to mainstream providers
Pre-Employment Requirements
* Current National Police Check (or willingness to obtain)
* Working with Children Check (Blue Card) – Queensland or equivalent
* NDIS Worker Screening Check (if applicable to service delivery)
* Current Driver's Licence and willingness to use own vehicle for work purposes (with appropriate insurance) – ESSENTIAL for outreach role
* Proof of qualifications and professional registration (where applicable)
Physical Requirements and Working Conditions
* This is a mobile, community-based role requiring significant time working in the field across the Moreton Bay region rather than in office settings
* Ability to work in diverse community settings, including community centres, homes, public spaces, cultural venues, and other locations accessible to CALD women
* Flexibility to work outside standard business hours, including some evenings and weekends, to meet the availability and needs of CALD community members
* Capacity to work autonomously in the community while maintaining regular contact with IWSS supervision and CADA teams, managing time effectively and maintaining appropriate documentation while working in the field
* Ability to travel regularly for client visits, community engagement, inter-agency meetings, and partnership activities
* Capacity to manage the emotional demands and vicarious trauma inherent in working with victim-survivors and complex cases in the DFSV sector, with recognition that outreach work presents unique challenges and requires strong self-care and support systems
* Commitment to self-care practices, accepting help when needed, and actively accessing regular supervision, debriefing, and peer support to maintain personal wellbeing and professional capacity. Understanding that we take care of our team
What IWSS Offers
The work we do is rewarding yet demanding. We acknowledge the toll this work can have on staff, and as an organisation, we take this ownership and responsibility seriously. For this reason, staff have access to:
* Salary packaging - up to $15,900 per year tax-free, plus additional meal and entertainment option
* Employee benefits from BrightHR
* Regular supported supervision
* Ongoing professional development and growth opportunities
* A genuinely supportive, intersectional feminist and trauma-informed workplace culture
* A strong focus on reflection, wellbeing and sustainable practice
* An inclusive organisation that values diversity, equity, and lived experience
next steps
To submit your application, please click 'Apply Now' by the closing date.
Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and interviews may take place prior to the closing of advertising.
For further information, contact using the subject line: Domestic, Family, and Sexual Violence Embedded Practitioner - CALD Specialist enquiry via EthicalJobs. We intend to respond to questions about the position within 24 hours.
IWSS is an inclusive and disability-friendly employer. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, LGBTQIA+ communities, people with disability, and culturally and linguistically diverse groups. All applicants may undergo a criminal history verification, along with other required checks, including but not limited to the Working with Children Check, during or immediately after the recruitment process is concluded.
A position description is attached.