Good Shepherd Australia New Zealand (GSANZ)

Our strategy outlines the world we want to see and our role advancing in it. It also speaks to the positive impact we will deliver to support women, girls and families to be safe, secure, strong and connected. We are committed to tackling the issues of our time which adversely affect them. We work to advance equity and social justice and support our communities to thrive.

We seek to increase economic participation and wellbeing, to build resilience, improve safety and bring about system change. We offer microfinance programs and products, financial counselling and coaching, family violence support, family and youth programs, playgroups, education programs and community houses. These services are complemented by research and advocacy to address the underlying structural causes of injustice, exclusion, and inequality.

About the role

• Join a values based organisation empowering the lives of women, children & families
• Full time 1 FTE, 12 Month Max Term Contract (starting early Jan 2023)
• SCHADS Level 6, $98,967.51 + Super + Salary packaging (up to $18,000 tax free) & gifted leave
• Based in Somerville/Hastings VIC

The Alexis Family Violence Response Model (A-FVRM) aims to reduce family violence for women and children and to achieve responsibility and accountability amongst FV offenders. This aim is achieved by providing a coordinated cross sectorial, multi-agency integrated response to victim survivors who are having repeated contact with Police and services due to family violence. In this manner, the A-FVRM aims to identify and respond to family violence as soon as possible after an incident. 

This position will provide a specialist response to repeat and chronic issues of family violence, as identified through police L17s from within police Division 4 or identified by the Family Violence Investigation Unit. The role involves adopting a holistic approach to addressing family violence, including liaising, and coordinating family violence responses with the Alexis Respondent (Men’s) Worker.

This role involves providing assertive outreach support to victim survivors while applying the MARAM framework, strength-based theory, trauma-informed theory and intersectionality theory amongst others

Responsibilities include:

• Completing joint outreach visits with police to engage with victim survivors including children.
• Deliver high quality assertive outreach case management services to women and children who have experienced or are experiencing family violence through trauma informed, systems and developmental frameworks. 
• Undertake MARAM comprehensive risk assessment, needs assessment, safety planning and case planning with women and children and work within the FVISS/CISS information sharing scheme.  
• Facilitate financial independence and access brokerage as required. 
• Work in partnership with families to develop and regularly review individual case and safety plans, ensuring clients are actively engaged in all decision making and planning.
• Coordination and liaising with external services/stakeholders regarding risk assessment and risk management.
• Working alongside the Alexis Respondent (Men’s) Worker and providing joint case coordination for victim survivors including children and holding perpetrators accountable.

About you

• Tertiary qualifications in psychology, social work, counselling or related disciplines in accordance with REC 209.
• Demonstrated understanding of family violence principles including risk assessment and safety planning, including the ability to assess and respond to the risk and impact of family violence, neglect and abuse of child victim survivors
• Demonstrated ability to pro-actively engage victim survivors of family violence who have barriers to engaging with, and/or are reluctant to engage with support services
• Demonstrated experience in managing complex presentations, case planning and development including the provision of crisis responses
• Ability to keep accurate, contemporaneous records, file notes and electronic records in accordance with Good Shepherd policy and DFFH standards
• Ability to build positive and effective relationships with key stakeholders
• Demonstrated capacity to work effectively within a multi-disciplinary team and to adapt to dynamic sector reforms
• Capacity to work flexible hours if needed

Minimum Mandatory Qualifications Requirements 

The minimum mandatory qualifications requirements are in place in Victoria and have been since the 1st of July 2021 are available on https://www.vic.gov.au/mandatory-minimum-qualifications-specialist-family-violence-practitioners

Please contact us on [email protected] if you have any questions about these requirements.

Why Good Shepherd?

At Good Shepherd, each member of our team is valued, we strive to support people to grow both personally and professionally. We offer generous conditions and flexible working hours to support employees to balance their personal and work life.

Benefits include:

• Salary packaging (which can add up to $15,900 in tax-free pay per year)
• Paid study leave
• Paid parental leave
• Gifted leave at Christmas and Easter
• Additional purchased annual leave
• Flexible work hours/working from home where possible
• Long service leave due after 10 years, with access after seven
• Employee Assistance Program, a free and confidential counselling service

To find out more about the role and to review the position description please explore our website: www.goodshep.org.au

How to apply

To apply please review the position description which can be found on our website and submit a short covering letter outlining your relevant skills and experience along with your CV. Personal data held by Good Shepherd Australia New Zealand relating to employment applications will be used in accordance with our Privacy Statement, which is available on our website.

Please apply as soon as possible, applications are considered as they are received. 

In line with various State Government’s COVID-19 health and safety requirements, Good Shepherd’s assessment and induction processes may be facilitated remotely using various online tools. The People and Capability Team in collaboration with hiring managers will work with you to find the most appropriate method to ensure your safety and wellbeing and that of our employees. 

We recognise the rich diversity of people across Australia. We are committed to ensuring that our team is reflective of the diverse community we serve and to supporting a culture of equity, inclusion and diversity. 

Good Shepherd Australia New Zealand is a Child Safe employer. Employment is subject to satisfactory referee checks, a current employment working with Children Check, National Criminal History check and proof of the right to work in Australia.