Newcastle Womens Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service (NWDVCAS) is seeking an,
Domestic and Family Violence (DFV) Specialist Worker
to work in our main office in Newcastle.
Approx. 56 hours per fortnight - Pay Rate SCHADS Award Grade 5 (level is dependent on qualifications and experience)
* Applications Close COB Friday 30th January 2026
Please visit our website - - for more information on our service.
* NWDVCAS acknowledges that violence against women and children is a crime. It recognizes that domestic violence takes many forms and that the clear majority of victims are women and children.
* Our aim is to provide women and children experiencing domestic violence with support, advocacy, referral and information as they negotiate the legal system and to help put an end to violence.
* We always respect women's rights to make their own choices and have control over their lives. Our goal is to assist women, so these choices may be informed.
NWDVCAS provides information, referrals and advocacy to women and their children who are or have been experiencing domestic and family violence, addressing their legal, social and welfare needs. NWDVCAS assists women to obtain effective legal protection through application of Apprehended Domestic Violence Orders (ADVOs) at local courts, assisting women before court, at court and after court. NWDVCAS assist women with safety planning and case-coordination.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF THIS ROLE
The work of the DFV Specialist Worker includes, but is not limited to, the following duties:
* Accepting electronic referrals from the DFV Connect and non-electronic referrals direct from government agencies and non-government services.
* Contacting clients referred to the WDVCAS in a timely manner, conducting a threat assessment to ascertain their current risk status and undertaking safety planning to address a client's immediate safety needs;
* Liaising with the Safety Action Meeting ( SAM ) Coordinator to ensure all clients assessed as 'at serious threat' are placed on the agenda for the next SAM .
* Addressing the safety and well being of children and young people through child -aware practices during intake, risk assessment, and safety planning and making referrals as required.
* 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 as required, in particular, mentions, hearings, criminal charge matters, to provide information, assistance, referral and court advocacy for WDVCAS clients and in particular women with a disability, women who identify as LGBTIQ+, women from linguistically, culturally, religiously and or racially diverse backgrounds, women over 65 and children, as directed by the WDVCAS Manager;
* Developing and maintaining strong working relationships with key WDVCAS partners including the NSW Police Force, Local Courts, legal representatives and referral agencies, in order to facilitate client access to those agencies and services;
* Complying with the SAM Manual and the Domestic Violence Information Sharing Protocol;
* Fulfilling reporting requirements for DFV Connect and performance reports in line with the WDVCAS Service Agreement and the WDVCAS Policy and Procedure Manual and Sam Manual.
* Assisting the SAM Coordinator to develop and administer policies, systems and processes for the effective operation of the WDVCAS and SAMs;
* In consultation with the Manager, attending SAMs to ensure and contribute to culturally safe and responsive service provision at SAMs.
* Developing solid working relationships and referral networks with local services that respond to the particular needs of women from linguistically, culturally, religiously and or racially diverse backgrounds ., for example attending DFV Local Committees, Interagency meetings and workshops.
* Providing high level expert advice and assist the Manager to develop and implement strategies aimed at making WDVCAS services relevant, accessible and responsive to the needs to women from linguistically, culturally, religiously and or racially diverse backgrounds .
* Providing advice to the Manager about local issues affecting to women from linguistically, culturally, religiously and or racially diverse backgrounds, and access to WDVCAS services and legal processes.
* Participating in relevant community development activities.
* Contributing to the preparation of appropriate resource and referral materials for the service.
* Attending relevant professional development activities, training and team meetings – which may require travel at times.
* Attending regular supervision, internal and external.
* Attending Performance Reviews as scheduled by service.
* Representing the Women's Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service in a positive and professional manner
PREREQUISITES
* Relevant degree with relevant experience
* Associate Diploma with substantial experience.
* Qualifications in more than one discipline.
* Less formal qualifications with specialised skills sufficient to perform at this level; or
* Service and/or study an equivalent level of experience and expertise to undertake the range of activities required, (attained through previous employment).
* Current clearance in relation to Working with Children or other relevant NSW Police Force checks.
ESSENTIAL CRITERIA
· Understanding of domestic and family violence, its complexities and consequences, particularly as they affect women with a disability, women who identifiy as LGBTIQ+, women from linguistically, culturally, religiously and or racially diverse backgrounds, women over 65 and children, and demonstrated sensitivity to their needs;
· Understanding of intersectionality between women with a disability, women who identifiy as LGBTIQ+, women from linguistically, culturally, religiously and or racially diverse backgrounds, women over 65 and domestic and family violence, in particular the barriers that women and children may face when seeking assistance.
· 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 victims' compensation issues;
· Ability to take a person centred and non judgemental approach when working with clients.
· Ability to deliver services in accordance with the WDVCAP model of service delivery as outlined in the WDVCAP Service Agreement, the Policy and Procedure Manual and operational documents;
· Ability to work with local diverse communities and the broader community to promote awareness of domestic and family violence and WDVCAS services;
· Excellent communication skills, particularly in negotiation, advocacy and conflict resolution;
· Excellent networking skills;
· Demonstrated ability to engage effectively with clients in crisis and provide appropriate, trauma-informed support;
· Exercise a degree of autonomy;
· Establish priorities and monitor work flow in areas of responsibility;
· Excellent organisational and administrative skills; and
· Current clearance in relation to Working with Children or other relevant NSW Police Force checks.
Newcastle WDVCAS considers being a woman a genuine occupational qualification for this position under s.31 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 (NSW).
Please send your resume which should include details of your previous work history with a brief description of duties associated as well as your educational history. You should also include 2 professional referees (or be willing to provide these details at a later date if you proceed in the recruitment process).
All applicants will need to address the Essential Criteria as mentioned in the Role Description in their cover letter.
The reason we require this information is that it helps us make an informed decision about your suitability for the role and if you should proceed to interview.
Please email your application to us, along with your resume to the following email address:
Please forward all enquiries to Suellyn Moore ( Manager NWDVCAS )
Phone
Email -
Applications Close COB Friday 30th January 2026