LGBTQA+ Support Specialist

Safe Connections Toowoomba is a specialist service that provides psychological support, service navigation, case management and referrals to people who identify as LGBTQA+ and are experiencing domestic and family violence. The service also offers information, advice, and support to the families, friends, and allies of LGBTQA+ individuals, promoting understanding and fostering inclusivity.

The Support Specialist will work collaboratively with clients to develop tailored support plans that build on individual strengths and resilience. The program acts as a central point in the client's journey, navigating the service system and facilitating information sharing.

In addition, the program delivers group education on LGBTQA+ issues to promote understanding and inclusivity.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a passionate and skilled multi-disciplinary team working to support members of the LGBTQA+ community.

Key Responsibilities:

• Initial Assessment: Conduct intake and assessment for LGBTQA+ individuals who are experiencing or have experienced domestic and family violence.
• Safety and Stabilisation: Ensure client safety by providing immediate therapeutic support until they are stabilised or connected to urgent emergency or medical services.
• Ongoing Safety and Support related to DFV: Support and advocacy for clients to apply for Domestic Violence Orders, and organise safety upgrades to homes, as required.
• Practical Assistance: Offer necessary practical support to clients, such as emergency food or financial relief, utilising available resources.
• Case Management: Work closely with clients to understand their circumstances, set goals and create tailored support plans.
• Service Navigation: Support clients to identify, access, and engage with appropriate external services, facilitating seamless information sharing with relevant agencies.
• Referrals: Facilitate timely and appropriate referrals to additional programs or support services, ensuring a warm handover when possible.
• Information and Advice: Provide information, advice and guidance to family members, friends and allies of LGBTQA+ individuals, as required.
• Flexible Support Delivery: Provide initial and ongoing support through various modes, including face-to-face, phone, or online interactions.
• Documentation: Maintain high-quality case notes and records, including assessments of client outcomes.
• Develop Service Networks: Develop relationships with other service providers for collaborative and/or partnership programs that support the LGBTQA+ community.
• Community Engagement: Build and maintain external stakeholder networks to promote and increase service provision in the community.
• Education Program Development and Delivery: Design and deliver both general and targeted education programs that address LGBTQA+ topics to enhance community understanding and foster inclusivity.
• Relevant human services qualifications and/or sector experience covering domestic and family violence deemed acceptable by the Strategic Lead, Programs and Community.
• Identify as a member or ally of the LGBTQA+ community.
• Ability to advocate for the rights and wellbeing of the LGBTQA+ community, promoting peer-led support and empowerment.
• Provide high quality and timely safety and stabilisation responses, including risk assessment and addressing immediate safety and support needs of LGBTIQA+ survivors of DFV, including facilitating access and referral to specialist services.
• Provide effective ongoing support, case management and service navigation to meet immediate and ongoing needs of LGBTQA+ clients who are or have experienced DFV.
• Provide education sessions to individuals and groups enhancing understanding and inclusivity of the LGBTQA+ community and identifying what constitutes healthy and safe relationships for those who identify.
• Ability to develop topic-based content and facilitate group sessions.
• Proven ability to build and maintain effective relationships with internal and external networks and stakeholders.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, with an emphasis on effective personal skills of negotiation and conflict resolution.
• High level understanding and application of client case noting and record keeping.