About the Organisation
The Victorian Aboriginal Health Service (VAHS) was established in 1973 to address the specific medical needs of Victorian Aboriginal communities. 2023 marks as a landmark year as VAHS proudly celebrates it’s 50-year of providing a comprehensive range of medical, dental, and social services for our community.
As well as providing a variety of medical services, VAHS is committed to supporting the well-being of the community through contributions to community events and activities. VAHS is also committed to assisting research into the ongoing needs of the community.
VAHS is a child safe organisation, committed to child safety and wellbeing, and recruits’ staff in accordance with the Child Safe Standards Victoria.
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About the Opportunity
The Therapeutic Family Violence First Response Practitioner within the +WAVES (Positive Wellbeing After Violence EndS) program provides client-centered therapeutic support to victim survivors of family violence. They offer a range of interventions for individuals, children, and young people through various modalities including individual, dyadic, family or group sessions, using a single session thinking framework in the context of their family violence experience.
This role delivers short to medium-term interventions, brief, non-crisis case management and therapeutic recovery assistance. The program collaborates with Spectrum Migrant Resource Center (Spectrum) and the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service (VAHS) to provide culturally sensitive and trauma-informed service.
The Practitioner is part of an integrated team focused on therapeutic recovery, reporting to the +WAVES Team Leader and indirectly to the Family Violence Services Manager. The program operates in Western Melbourne and Brimbank/ Melton local government areas, utilising multiple service locations for accessibility including Sunshine office, telehealth, outreach such as schools, local council sites, and client accommodation.
Key Selection Criteria
To be considered for this role you must have the following:
- Understanding of and Commitment to the Aboriginal community.
- Knowledge and understanding of trauma, child development and family dynamics.
- Knowledge of information sharing in the context of family violence provisions and the child information sharing scheme, aligning with the MARAM Framework
- Ability to conduct comprehensive screening and risk assessments and risk planning for family violence victim survivors.
- Experience with planning and leading evidence-based therapeutic programs for individuals and groups.
- Demonstrated understanding of child protection, flexible funding interventions, out of home care and family support systems and the issues involved in providing services to statutory clients.
- Proven ability to build strong stakeholder relationships, both internal and external to Baptcare.
- Effective communication and problem-solving and ability to work autonomously.
- Self-aware, resilient, and adaptable to changing situations.
- Strong computer skills
- Fully approved Covid 19 Vaccinations (including booster)
Essential
- Tertiary Qualifications in Social Work, Psychology, Counselling, or other relevant Human Services qualification and/or experience.
Desirable
- Post Graduate qualification or working towards one in counselling/therapy.
- Previous experience in Child and Family Services, Family Violence Services not for profit, or community services sector at a practitioner level.
- Knowledge and experience of providing therapeutic support (individual/dyadic/family) and group facilitation.
How to Apply
You will need a resume and a tailored cover letter outlining your skills, experience, and suitability for the role. Please forward your application to [email protected] before Sunday 9pm, 19 November 2023.