Job description

Please note that applications are being accepted for Blacktown area.

Hours: 35 hours per week - 12 Month Contract

Date start: ASAP

Award/Rate of Pay: SCHADS AWARD from Level: 5.1

Accountabilities: Manager

Applications close: COB: 11th April 2025. We encourage you to submit an application ASAP as interviews will be scheduled as we receive applications.

ABOUT THE EMPLOYER

Blacktown Women’s and Girls Health Centre (BWGHC), is a feminist, non for profit charity meeting the needs of excellent health and wellbeing initiatives for women and girls and envisages a community in which women exercise equal rights, choose their own destiny and have a safe environment for themselves and their children. BWGHC work towards this by providing counselling, information and referral, advocacy, capacity building and support services to clients.

The organisation has been established in the area for over 30 years as one of 21 Women’s Health Centre’s across NSW. Over this time, the BWGHC has grown and evolved to run a range of programs including women only Doctor and Nurse Clinics, Early Childhood Clinics, Legal Services, Drug and Alcohol support and advice, Counselling (Generalist and Domestic Violence), Case Work, Group Work and Information Services and auspice the North West Sydney and the Nepean-Blue Mountains Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Services.

WDVCAS 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. WDVCAS 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. WDVCAS assist women with safety planning and case-coordination.

The Co-Location Trial has been developed and trialed as a recommendation from the Domestic Violence Death Review Team (DVDRT) and is a partnership between the NSW Police Force and Legal Aid NSW (Women's Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Program).

The primary aim of the co-location trial is to provide enhanced support to victims of domestic and family violence who attend Blacktown Police Station.

ROLE DESCRIPTION

The work of the DFV Specialist Worker (Co-Location Worker) includes, but is not limited to, the following duties:

1. Assisting women who attend a police station to report, or seek help regarding, domestic and family violence, by providing them with information, support, and advocacy

2. Assisting women who are brought back to a police station by NSWPF after a domestic and family violence incident, by providing them with information, support, and advocacy

3. Supporting women while they give statements regarding domestic and family violence to NSWPF, where appropriate and permitted

4. Liaising with NSWPF about domestic and family violence matters generally and participating in local training and information sessions with NSWPF

5. Liaising with the Safety Action Meeting (SAM) Coordinator about clients at ‘serious threat’

6. Liaising with the WDVCAS Manager and other WDVCAS colleagues as needed to ensure that clients seen at the police station receive a coordinated response (e.g., avoiding duplication if these clients are the subject of CRP referrals)

7. Undertaking safety planning and making referrals to assist clients with their ongoing needs

8. Participating in and assisting with the co-location trial evaluation

9. Complying with the WDVCAP Policy and Procedure Manual, the Domestic Violence Information Sharing Protocol, and other relevant documents

10. Fulfilling reporting requirements as needed

ESSENTIAL SELECTION CRITERIA:

Tertiary qualifications in relevant field such as Social Work/Social Science/Counselling/Case Management

A minimum of 1-year experience in a similar role (i.e. working with women in domestic/family violence specialist service/role)

Personal and professional commitment to working within Blacktown Women’s and Girls Health Centre’s mission, values and feminist framework

Strong understanding of domestic and family violence, its complexities and consequences (formal training in this area would be highly regarded)

Sound 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 victim’s compensation issues

Ability to work with the local community to promote awareness of domestic and family violence and WDVCAS services

Excellent communication skills, particularly in negotiation, advocacy and conflict resolution

Demonstrated ability to engage effectively with clients in crisis and provide appropriate, trauma-informed support

Excellent organisational and administrative skills; and

Computer skills and experience in record keeping and documentation skills with strong attention to detail and the ability to multi-task

Ability to provide clearance of an NSW Working With Children check (or willingness to obtain)

Ability to successfully complete the criminal background check (or willingness to obtain)

Current Driver’s License

Ability to deliver services in accordance with the WDVCAP best practice model of service delivery outlined in the WDVCAP Service Agreement, Women's Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Program Policy and Procedure Manual 2020-2024, the SAM Manual and operational documents

The Blacktown Women’s and Girls Health Centre considers being a woman a genuine occupational qualification for this position under s.31 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 (NSW).

BWGHC considers being a woman a genuine occupational qualification for this position under Section 31 of the Anti-Discrimination Act.

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 selection criteria as mentioned in the ad/Position 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. Addressing the selection criteria doesn’t need to be a lengthy process, a few sentences to each is fine. It’s all about allowing us a chance to get to know you a little deeper in things that might not be covered specifically in your just your resume.

Please email your application to us, along with your resume to the following email address: [email protected]

If you would like further information or have any questions about this job before applying, please feel free to call Vanessa Almeida on 0408 410 283 or email, [email protected] using the subject line: Domestic and Family Violence Specialist Worker - Co-Location SEEK