For over 140 years, Berry Street has adapted to a changing world, and we will continue to adapt to achieve our purpose. We believe children, young people and families should be safe, thriving and hopeful.

Our Vision for 2026: Together we will courageously change lives and reimagine service systems.

• Ballarat location, Wadawurrung Counrty
• Full Time, 12 month contract
• Base salary $93k – $98k + Superannuation + Salary Packaging

The Western Family Violence Service

The Western Family Violence Service (WFVS) is the lead provider for the integrated family violence service system in the Central Highlands sub-region. The WFVS provides support and intervention services to adult and child victim-survivors, as well as people who use violence. 

Our programs aim to support victim-survivors to remain safely within their community and to recover from the impacts of family violence and, to support accountability and change for people who have used or are using force or violence.

Historically, services have been focused on victim survivors and their children, but more recently, Berry Street has developed services for people who use violence and force.

This role will be part of a team that offers case management, child protection case support, and group programs for people who use violence or force.

What Will Your New Role Involve?

As a Specialist Family Violence Practitioner, your main objective is to support people who use force to be accountable for keeping their family and broader community safe.

You will do this by coordinating, facilitating and participating in group programs for the Medium-term Perpetrator Accommodation Service (MPAS), Caring Dads and Positive Shift programs, and others as required.

Conducting comprehensive, timely, and responsive risk assessments and case management to people who use violence or force.

Supporting clients to engage with programs designed to address their abusive behaviours by developing an understanding of their use of violence and adopting strategies to decrease violence and increase safety.

Please see position description for further information on the roles expectations and requirements.

What Can You Bring to the Role?

The successful candidate will hold a minimum Bachelor level qualification in Social Work or recent employment in the family violence sector or equivalency met through the 7 Equivalency Principles in line with the minimum mandatory qualification requirements.

Please see https://www.vic.gov.au/mandatory-minimum-qualificationsspecialist-family-violence-practitioners for further information.

The specialised level of this role will require the ability to be able to reflect and analyse complex situations arising in specialist family violence casework and the commitment to working collaboratively with the capacity to negotiate and liaise with other agencies and the community.

Experience within and an understanding of the Family Violence service sector and the Central Highlands regional service system, and an understanding of the Child, Youth and Families Act 2007 and the Family Violence Protection Act 2008.

Berry Street’s Benefits

• Work within a team where you are truly valued.
• Trauma-informed leadership.
• A commitment to ongoing learning opportunities.
• Fortnightly supervision and monthly Reflective Practice.
• Additional salary packaging available for meals/accommodation.
• Flexible work arrangements and generous leave conditions including Study Leave; Paid Family and Domestic Violence Leave; and Parental Leave for eligible staff members.
• Access to the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), including access for staff members’ immediate family.

How to Apply

Applications including resume and cover letter addressing your suitability for the position to be submitted by 11pm on the 29th of August 2023.

Queries to Tracey Golder, Program Manager – 0448 639 315

Please Note; the successful applicant will be subject to comprehensive reference and background checking prior to employment, including a Working with Children Check and National Police Check.

Berry Street is committed to being a child safe, child friendly and child empowering organisation. In everything we do we seek to protect children. We are committed to the cultural safety of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children; children from culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds; children with a disability; children who identify as LGBTIQA+. We aim to ensure every individual is treated with dignity and respect regardless of their cultural background, ability, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, spirituality or religion.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people; people from culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds and people with a disability are encouraged to apply.