Exciting new initiative for Women in the Prevention and Recovery from Domestic Family and Sexual Violence. 

Community Justice Services SA Ltd( CJSSA) is a not-for-profit organisation that has operated since 1982. CJSSA currently provides legal and non-legal support to the community residing within their catchment area, that provides free legal assistance to disadvantaged and vulnerable clients residing in the southern, Murray mallee, Riverland and Southeast area.

CJSSA is the lead agency for a new Prevention and Trauma Recovery Hub for Women experiencing/experienced domestic and family violence operating in the Onkaparinga Region. The Hub will operate in conjunction with a sub-committee of representative agencies. The purpose of the hub is to provide specialized counselling and/or therapy for women at risk and or experiencing domestic and family violence. Women will be provided with appropriate referrals and information, focusing on their needs of prevention and recovery, 

The Hub will deliver evidence-based services and programs in partnership with other local organisations for the prevention and recovery for women, regardless of age, social and cultural background and sexual orientation with a trauma informed care approach for women to recover from the complexities of domestic violence. Services such as women’s health, legal, education, and financial counselling will be available.

An exciting new DFSV Counsellor role has been developed with a comprehensive victim-survivor centred approach to support women, emphasising the principles of empowerment, self-determination and counselling with access to appropriate skills, knowledge and supports.

The DFSV Counsellor will operate under a strength-based trauma informed feminist case management model of service framework considering a woman’s emotional and physical safety to build resilience, and empowerment, through the provision of interagency advocacy to support women achieve their identified goals. 

Key Responsibilities

Provide direct support to individual clients through in person or telephone appointments by:- 

• Conduct comprehensive client risk assessment and safety planning with women and families to end or reduce the risk of future violence or further abuse.
• Provide an evidence-based trauma informed practice within a feminist framework, relating to domestic, family and sexual violence to support women. 
• Participation in the development and implementation of therapeutic group programs with a comprehensive survivor-centred response.
• Provide women experiencing/experienced domestic and family violence with information, referrals and advocacy.
• Develop clear and documented women-centred case plans to ensure women are assisted to access relevant services or programs to meet their needs, set goals and plan developed to meet those goals.
• Coordinating client appointments and provide support to clients to attend appointments with other support agencies.
• Network and develop collaborative relationships with relevant government, non-government organisations and community agencies who work with those who use violence and abuse towards women and diverse groups ie LGBTIQA+ with the aim of changed attitudes and stopping violence.
• To locally engage with First Nations People Action Plans to promote/support healing through Voice – Strength – Systems.
• Support for culturally and linguistically diverse women to ensure the appropriate service is provided to women.
• Maintain case notes and matters pertaining to levels of risk, ensuring all client files and data information is relevant, accurate and secure in line with privacy principles. 
• Participate in program and team accountability mechanisms, attending relevant meetings as directed by the CEO or OFM and completing statistical requirements. 

Skills, Knowledge and Experience Required

• At least two years’ experience in the provision of counselling women with complex needs who are/have experienced domestic, family and sexual violence.
• Demonstrated ability to develop strength-based case plans and prioritise to meet client service delivery requirements.
• Demonstrated knowledge of current evidence-based therapeutic interventions in individual, family and group settings.
• Knowledge of child and adolescent development and life stage transitions. 
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including advocacy and the ability to negotiate and collaborate with a variety of stakeholders.
• Demonstrated experience in risk assessments, documenting client notes, reporting and working with a variety of electronic systems.
• Proven ability to work autonomously, take initiative and be an active member of a team.
• Demonstrated understanding of available community services, networks and supports.
• Have knowledge of Child Safe Environments – Mandated Notification
• Have a commitment to improving the personal and social situation of people from financially and socially disadvantaged backgrounds.
• Demonstrates perseverance in achieving objectives and manages setbacks or problems effectively.

Organisational Responsibilities: – 

• Ensure client confidentiality is maintained at the highest standard.
• Empathy and Cultural awareness – Demonstrate an interest in and an appreciation for a range of different cultures and actively seek to understand the views of others. 
• Provide appropriate referrals.
• Be conversant and comply with CJSSA policies, practices and procedures.
• Undertake clinical supervision, training and professional development as necessary through participation in internal and / or external supervision, attendance at seminars, workshops, conferences, professional liaison as directed and approved.
• Work in compliance with CLC Australia Professional Indemnity Insurance Guidelines.
• Undertake promotional and public relations with relevant Services and other related activities as required.

 Qualifications & Experience

• Possess relevant tertiary qualifications in the Human Services field.
• Strong experience and skills in trauma-informed practice, safety planning, gender-based violence risk assessment, DFV counselling, system advocacy and case management.
• Well-developed communication and interpersonal skills
• Experience in planning, facilitation and evaluation of group work 
• Preferred Post-graduate qualifications in counselling, family therapy qualification highly preferred. 

Salary / Benefits

 Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award 2010 (plus super and generous salary sacrifice available) remuneration based on experience. 

Salary packaging information 
CJSSA employees is optional for all team members at CJSSA and may have considerable tax benefits depending on your personal circumstances.  
• General salary packing of $15,900 per FBT year.
• Meal entertainment of $2550 per FBT year and other possible additional benefits.

Important information

All offers of employment are fulltime for a fixed term for 12 months and are contingent upon: 

• Successful reference checks
• Non-adverse criminal record / police check
• Holding and maintaining Working with Children Check

CJSSA is committed to providing and maintaining a safe working environment without risk to the health of its employees. 

Applications

The position description is attached below.

All applications should be sent by email to the Chief Executive Officer at [email protected] and include

• A cover letter addressing the selection criteria (max 2 pages); and
• Your resume                                 

For further information please contact the CEO, Catherine McMorrine on 8384 5222 or 0412 723 567.