Job description – DFV Specialist Worker (Aboriginal Focus)

• Hours: 35 hours per week
• Date start: ASAP
• Award/Rate of Pay: SCHADS AWARD from Level: 4.1
• Accountabilities: Manager 

Applications close:  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. 

A key component of WDVCAS work involves fortnightly Safety Action Meetings (SAM) which are attended by police, WDVCAS and local services to assist women and children who are at higher risk, as assessed by police and/or WDVCAS. 

ROLE DESCRIPTION

The work of the DFV Specialist Worker (Aboriginal Focus) includes, but is not limited to, the following duties: 

1. Accepting electronic referrals from the CRP and non-electronic referrals direct from government agencies and non-government services;
2. Contacting clients referred to the WDVCAS in a timely manner, conducting a threat assessment to ascertain their current risk status and undertaking safety planning to address a client’s immediate safety needs;
3. Liaising with the SAM Coordinator to ensure all clients assessed as ‘at serious threat’ are placed on the agenda for the next SAM when necessary;
4. Providing relevant information and making warm referrals to a range of service providers to assist clients with their ongoing needs;
5. Liaising with clients in relation to Safety Action Plans developed at SAMs and/or support provided, or arranged, by the WDVCASs;
6. Engaging in community development activities;
7. Attending court on AVO list days and other days as required to provide information, assistance and court advocacy for WDVCAS clients as directed by the WDVCAS Manager;
8. Developing and maintaining strong working relationships with key WDVCAS partners including the NSW Police Force, Local Courts, legal representatives and referral agencies, in order to facilitate client access to those agencies and services;
9. Complying with the SAM Manual and the Domestic Violence Information Sharing Protocol;
10. Fulfilling reporting requirements for the WDVCAP database and the CRP in line with the WDVCAP Service Agreement, the WDVCAP Policy and Procedure Manual and SAM Manual; and
11. Assisting the SAM Coordinator to develop and administer policies, systems and processes for the effective operation of the WDVCAS and SAMs.
12. Developing solid working relationships and referral networks with local services that respond to the particular needs of Aboriginal women and children, for example attending Aboriginal Health Services, Aboriginal Community Justice Groups and/or NSW Police Force Aboriginal Consultative Committee Meetings; 
13. Developing links with local Aboriginal communities to promote the services of the WDVCAS and encourage women to use the services of the WDVCAS, for example by facilitating women’s groups; 
14. Participating in NAIDOC Week, Sorry Day, Reconciliation Celebrations, Survival Day (Australia Day) and other local Aboriginal community activities and initiatives which help promote the services of the WDVCAS, subject to workload and resources of the WDVCAS;
15. Providing high level advice to the Manager to develop and implement strategies aimed at making WDVCAS services relevant, accessible and responsive to the needs of Aboriginal women and children; and 
16. Providing advice to the Manager about local issues affecting Aboriginal clients and access to WDVCAS services and legal process

ESSENTIAL SELECTION CRITERIA:

1. Understanding of domestic and family violence, its complexities and consequences, particularly as they affect Aboriginal women and children, and sensitivity to their needs;
2. 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;
3. Ability to deliver services in accordance with the WDVCAP model of service delivery outlined in the WDVCAP Service Agreement, this Policy and Procedure Manual, the SAM Manual and operational documents; Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Program: Policy and Procedure Manual 2020–2024 Current as at June 2020
4.  Ability to work with local Aboriginal communities and the broader community to promote awareness of domestic and family violence and WDVCAS services;
5. Excellent communication skills, particularly in negotiation, advocacy and conflict resolution;
6. Excellent networking skills;
7. Demonstrated ability to engage effectively with clients in crisis and provide appropriate, trauma-informed support;
8. Excellent organisational and administrative skills; and
9. Current clearance in relation to Working with Children or other relevant NSW Police Force checks.

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 NBMWDVCAS Manager, Angie Gehle on 0404 854 975 or email, [email protected] using the subject line: Domestic and Family Violence Specialist Worker (Aboriginal Focus) SEEK