Wesley Community and Family Care

• permanent full-time positions
• based in Blacktown, Western Sydney region
• be part of an organisation making a real difference in the community.

About us

Wesley Mission is a high profile, multi-faceted Christian organisation making a real difference in the community. We work with the most disadvantaged in our community by providing over 200 services ranging from aged care, homeless services, child and family care, counselling, employment, training and education, and health services.

Our Vision is “A Spirit disciple-making movement: doing all the good we can because every life matters”.

About the program

Financial insecurity is one of the main barriers for women that stops them from leaving a violent partner. In some cases, it is a factor contributing to why some return to an abusive partner.

The Commonwealth Government is funding the program as part of its $1.1 billion commitment in the 2021-22 Federal Budget to help end violence against women and children. Wesley Mission will lead a pilot program providing financial assistance and wrap-around support to assist people in NSW and ACT to escape family violence. 

The Escaping Violence Payment program provides assistance to people wanting to leave a violent partner and establish a life free from violence. The EVP provides financial assistance up to $1,500, along with goods, services, and wrap-around support.

About the role

The EVP Caseworker role is a Family and Domestic Violence specialist role. The EVP Caseworker will ensure the team maintains a high standard of practice in line with current research and evidence.

This role involves the intake and triaging of clients (people who have experienced Intimate Partner Violence and are either planning to leave the situation or have already left). These clients will have come through as online self-referrals for the Program.

This means making phone contact with each client (if safe to do so) and gathering eligibility documentation from them, as well as having conversations with them to ascertain whether they are eligible for the EVP Program by using your professional judgement in making this decision.

This role also involves organising Immediate Assistance Payments for clients as well as providing information and referrals to clients who may not be eligible for the Program.

EVP has clear time frames and expectations around contacting clients.

All staff in the Communities program work hard to develop and maintain harmonious working relationships in an autonomous-supportive work environment where they are all trained to be the best in their field. Wesley Mission provides regular supervision, support and training for all staff.

Essential Criteria

• tertiary qualification(s) in Psychology, Counselling, Social Work, Social Science or related fields
• minimum 2 years of case management or case co-ordination experience in working within the domestic violence space utilising a trauma-informed and strengths-based approach
• demonstrated understanding and experience in case management of clients, experience in utilising DFV specific assessment-based tools and formulating case plans based on the
• ability to provide brief intervention to clients in distressing and vulnerable circumstances – establishing and maintaining rapport with clients
• understanding of causes and support for people with domestic violence and child protection issues
• ability to maintain and form strong and professional networks with external stakeholders
• demonstrated cultural competency and experience in working alongside CALD and Aboriginal families
• demonstrated ability to work unsupervised as well as an effective team player with a positive can-do attitude
• demonstrated high level of discretion and sensitivity when dealing with confidential matters
• ability to understand and utilise client management systems
• demonstrated ability to relate well to a range of people with sound listening and problem-solving skills
• confident professional with strong initiative and business acumen
• demonstrated ability of emotional maturity and resilience
• good verbal and written communication skills
• current NSW or National Driver’s Licence.

Desirable Criteria

• able to work in a MS Office environment. Skills in working with various MS Office systems (such as Word, Excel and Outlook) and be able to effectively operate in Microsoft Windows environment.

*This position requires all preferred applicants to undergo a Working with Children’s Check and Criminal Record History Check.

Remuneration

Salary and employment conditions are in accordance with the SCHADS Award Level 4. Generous salary packaging available.

Closing date:

Tuesday 3rd October 2023, 5pm.

Apply now

Please find an Application Pack here: https://www.wesleymission.org.au/careers-and-volunteering/caseworker-triage-eligibility-escaping-violence-payments/

Please submit a copy of your CV/resume and a one-page cover letter addressing all the selection criteria and why you would be a good fit for the role. Please include the completed Wesley Mission Application for Employment.

Only applications with a one-page cover letter addressing all the selection criteria will be considered.

Recruitment Process

1. A brief telephone conversation to confirm details of the role and arrange a telephone interview.
2. Telephone interview. 
3. Online aptitude testing and a behavioural questionnaire.
4. Face-to-face interview.
5. Reference & probity checks. 

If you have any queries, please contact Sue O’Brien on [email protected]

Wesley Mission is a Christian organisation requiring all staff to affirm its values and Worker code of conduct. We are committed to providing an environment in which children can feel safe and valued.

The suitable applicant will be subject to the relevant pre-employment checks for appointment to positions within Wesley Mission (including provision of a valid Working with Children Check clearance number). Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are encouraged to apply.