Senior Specialist Family Violence Practitioner

Overview

Senior Specialist Family Violence Practitioner (SR0100) role at Good Shepherd Australia New Zealand. This is a part-time position, 0.8 FTE (4 days per week), based primarily at the Dame Phyllis Frost Women's Correctional Centre and Keilor Downs. Note: this role is parental leave cover.

About the role

As a Senior Specialist Family Violence Practitioner, you will provide intensive, client-centered casework using the MARAM framework and a trauma-informed, systems and developmental approach. You will support clients within Dame Phyllis Frost Centre and Keilor Downs, and work collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team to promote safety, stability, and recovery.

Responsibilities

• Provide a specialist family violence response to women in prison who are or have experienced family violence.
• Undertake ongoing MARAM comprehensive risk and needs assessments, including risk analysis and mitigation strategies.
• Liaise with other services and stakeholders to increase safety of women experiencing family violence whilst in or on release from incarceration.
• Work collaboratively with external service providers to support women in prison and post-release.
• Provide psychoeducation about family violence and its trauma impacts, including on children.
• Engage in secondary consultations and support capacity building with other practitioners.
• Lead care team meetings and participate in internal and external meetings.
• Produce high-quality documentation including mapping perpetrator behaviour and its impact.

Qualifications and Experience

• A relevant tertiary qualification (Social Work, Psychology, or related field).
• Experience in family violence case management and risk assessment.
• Knowledge of the MARAM framework and information sharing schemes (FVISS/CISS).
• Experience working with high-risk clients and those with complex needs.
• Strong communication, advocacy, and collaboration skills.
• A current Driver's License, Police Check, and Employee Working with Children Check.
• Experience working with incarcerated women is desirable.

Mandatory Qualifications

• As per Recommendation 209, applicants must meet one of the following: Hold a Bachelor of Social Work or equivalent qualification; OR Have 5+ years of relevant professional experience; OR Be exempt under the policy; OR Hold significant cultural knowledge or lived experience and be willing to work toward qualification.

For more information on qualification pathways, visit: https://www.vic.gov.au/mandatory-minimum-qualifications-specialist-family-violence-practitioners

About Us

Good Shepherd Australia New Zealand (GSANZ) is a mission-led organisation working to create a world free of poverty, violence, and injustice. We are a values-based organisation committed to social justice, inclusion, and community wellbeing. We aspire for all women, girls, and families to be safe, well, strong, and connected.

Benefits

• Make a real difference in the lives of women, girls and families
• Work in a bold, inclusive and mission-led culture. Access salary packaging and flexible work options. Be part of an organisation committed to leadership development and innovation
• Salary packaging
• Paid parental leave
• Gifted leave at Christmas and Easter
• Employee Assistance Program, a free and confidential counselling service

How To Apply

Click apply to submit your application, including CV and brief cover letter outlining your interest in the role. For the position description, or further information please reach out via recruitment@goodshep.org.au

Applications close 17 September 2025

Compliance and Diversity

Personal data held by Good Shepherd Australia New Zealand relating to employment applications will be used in accordance with our Privacy Statement, which is available on our website. We recognise the rich diversity of people across Australia. We are committed to ensuring that our team is reflective of the diverse community we serve and to supporting a culture of equity, inclusion and diversity. Good Shepherd Australia New Zealand is a Child Safe employer. Employment is subject to satisfactory referee checks, a current employment working with Children Check, National Criminal History check and proof of the right to work in Australia.

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