Domestic and Family Violence Practitioner

Job description

Classification: Level 5 of Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award 2010

Employment Status : Up to 58 hours per fortnight. Salary Packaging available.

Work Location : The practitioner will be required to work at CADA designated locations in Moreton Bay, including Caboolture, Redcliffe, and Strathpine.

For Court Support duties, practitioner is required to provide court assistance in one or more of the four Magistrates Courts (Caboolture, Redcliffe, Pine Rivers, and Sandgate).

Accountability: The position reports to the Crisis Counselling and Court Support Team Manager or designated supervisor and CADA CEO.

Hours of Work: CADA's hours of operation are 8am to 6pm.

ABOUT US

The Centre Against Domestic Abuse (CADA) is a community organisation funded by the Queensland Government to respond to adults and children affected by domestic, family and sexual violence.

We provide counselling and crisis/court support, safety planning and referrals. CADA is active in early intervention, prevention strategies and advocacy to end domestic and family violence, in partnership with government and organisations working in the sector. We operate from offices at Caboolture, Redcliffe and Strathpine.

OUR VISION

A future free from domestic and family violence.

OUR MISSION

To provide domestic, family and sexual violence support in Moreton Bay through prevention, early intervention, crisis response and recovery to promote safety and healing.

OUR GOALS

• CADA influences and informs the region and is recognised as specialist leaders in prevention and response to domestic, family and sexual violence.
• CADA is committed to a strengths based and client centred practice in service provision.
• CADA develops and sustains systems and initiatives that are locally driven and future informed.
• CADA is committed to continuous improvement through reflection and the dedication to excellence.

CADA BENEFITS

CADA has a strong commitment to employee wellbeing and offer:

• Salary packaging: As a not for profit, CADA employees can use part of their gross income to pay for everyday living expenses. This minimises their taxable income giving them more take home pay.
• Bonus leave: All employees are gifted days between Christmas and New Year, up to two wellbeing days per year and even a day off on their birthday
• Paid Employee Assistance Program (EAP) : Three confidential, short term counselling sessions are available for every employee and immediate family per year.
• Wellbeing initiatives: CADA recognises our teams hard work and commitment. Each year our teams celebrate with a wellbeing day – it could be coffee and canvas or fish and chips by the bay. We also have a dedicated wellbeing group who run initiatives through the year, like massage day.
• Six weeks paid parental leave: After 12 months of employment, employees are eligible for six weeks of paid parental leave by CADA. This can also be used for those who may foster and adopt.
• Supervision: As well as regular internal supervision sessions, CADA pays for up to four external supervision sessions for all staff members per year.
• And much more .

ABOUT THE ROLE

CADA encourages applicants from a variety of backgrounds, we value a diverse workforce and pride ourselves on inclusivity. We offer internal employment and development opportunities. People from an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander background are strongly encouraged to apply.

CRISIS COUNSELLING

Provide crisis support and intervention to ensure survivors receive timely service, using strengths based and trauma informed practice. The primary responsibility of this position is to provide brief intervention and counselling including emotional support, information, referral and advocacy to people experiencing domestic, family and sexual violence, undertaking risk assessments, safety planning and providing assistance completing Domestic Violence Protection Order applications.

COURT SUPPORT

Provide court assistance and crisis support to people accessing the Magistrates Courts for domestic, family and sexual violence. This includes information about court processes and possible outcomes and options available relating to conditions on a protection order under the Domestic and Family Violence Protection Act 2012.

Assist those experiencing domestic, family and sexual violence to complete applications for protection orders or variations, including appropriate referrals to agencies and other CADA programs (e.g. counselling agencies, legal services, accommodation services, safety upgrades program, High Risk Team). Advocate on behalf of victim/survivors with all relevant agencies and work collaboratively with other stakeholders (e.g. Police prosecutors and Court Staff) to ensure the protection orders granted meet the needs of the aggrieved person.

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Demonstrates understanding of the nature, drivers and context of domestic, family and sexual violence and trauma
• Upholds dignity and value through healing centred engagement
• Manages risk, prioritising safety and recovery
• Commits to working as part of an integrated organisation and system
• Demonstrates a highly reflective and self aware approach

QUALIFICATION

Possess or working towards a tertiary degree in social work, psychology, behavioural science, or other related field.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Ascertain contributing factors and prioritise client needs
• Provide crisis support and brief intervention counselling including emotional support, information, psychoeducation, advocacy and providing appropriate referral pathways (both internal and external)
• Undertake risk assessments, safety planning and provide assistance completing Domestic Violence Protection Orders
• Participate in integrated service responses with key agencies (eg. Child Safety, Queensland Police Service, Queensland Corrective Services) to provide timely, effective responses to people experiencing domestic, family and sexual violence, especially those who are at high risk and/or have complex needs
• Engage in collaborative case planning, safety planning and support with clients, other CADA team members and team leaders, and other relevant stakeholders
• Identify and work to address potential barriers to client engagement
• Provide additional services on a needs basis
• Obtain feedback from client on relevant services where required
• Maintain an awareness of all relevant services provided by the community sector
• Obtain and maintain a depth of knowledge and understanding of the domestic and family violence services Practice Principles, Standards and Guidance (2020), and ensure these guide all client work
• Work effectively with diverse communities within CADA's catchment area
• Support the Manager regarding the annual position work performance review (including probation period)
• Assist in mentoring, training and supporting new staff and students
• Other duties as directed by the CEO or designated supervisor
• Associated administrative tasks.

ORGANISATIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Comply with CADA policies and procedures
• Maintain accurate client records and other data as required by CADA and funding body
• Work cooperatively and supportively as a member of a team to achieve the smooth and effective functioning of the service and the achievement of organisational and client goals
• Assist with the development of appropriate written resources in relation to domestic, family and sexual violence issues and prevention
• Participate in CADA events, staff supervision, staff meetings and team building activities
• Assist in the development and facilitation of community education and training to raise awareness of domestic, family and sexual violence issues and to increase the capacity of the community and other workers in the region in responding to domestic, family and sexual violence.

SELECTION CRITERIA

• Possess or working towards tertiary qualifications relevant to the position and demonstrated experience of early intervention and primary prevention of domestic, family and sexual violence. This includes a working knowledge of the Queensland Domestic and Family Violence Protection Act 2012 and other relevant legislation, guidelines, and standards
• Ability to work in a multidisciplinary team to promote safety and wellbeing for women and families. Experience prioritising and managing multiple demands to a high standard with minimal supervision whilst remaining calm, clear and kind under pressure
• Demonstrated ability to manage self, including seeking help as required to manage and prioritise wellbeing, whilst being an active participant in team to promote a strong and reflective learning culture
• Demonstrated experience and knowledge of innovative intervention practices that are creative, evidence informed, and use a strengths based approach. Able to adapt to and adopt new research evidence, frameworks and tools as they evolve
• Strong verbal and written communication skills including the ability to communicate in a way that is sensitive, simple, clear and transparent to accommodate a range of people in a variety of settings. Ability to use trauma informed approaches to diffuse and manage escalating behaviour and risk in a timely way.
• Knowledge and understanding of the issues which impact diverse communities in contemporary society. Demonstrated ability to work effectively and sensitively with people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds including Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples.

REQUIREMENTS

• Must inform CADA of any domestic and family violence applications or orders naming you as respondent (current or in the past)
• Blue Card for Working with Children (Queensland)
• Current Queensland driver's licence

A position descriptio n is attached. Applicants must respond to the selection criteria (no more than 2 pages) to be considered for this role.

For any queries in relation to this role, please email (email protected), using the subject line: Domestic and Family Violence Practitioner enquiry via EthicalJobs .

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