Domestic and Family Violence Practitioner

About the Role

The Families & Young People Services team currently have a vacancy for a Permanent Full-time Domestic and Family Violence Practitioner to join the Connected Families Program (CFP) Team. The Connected Families Program is an Intensive Family Support (IFS) service supporting the Greater Ipswich Region.

This role is designed to provide specialist advice, training, support and leadership in relation to Domestic and Family Violence (DFV) to ensure effective service delivery to families engaged in the Connected Families program in Greater Ipswich. This role works across the program from referral to exit with a view to supporting vulnerable families to become stronger, capable, and more resilient as well as increasing safety and overall well-being.

$93,860 - $98,108 per annum (award) plus superannuation plus generous salary packaging available

What you’ll be doing

• Using the applicable Model of Practice, service guidelines/frameworks, assist clients in achieving their goals as identified in relevant planning documentation developed in line with organisational procedures.
• Work collaboratively with your line manager and other program staff to identify client needs and deliver appropriate services within available resources, continually assessing effectiveness and responding to changing needs and dynamics.
• Provide specialist domestic and family violence advice and oversight across the entire Connected Families team during all phases of family work, from referral through to closure, utilising endorsed, evidence-based frameworks that are aligned with DCYMA requirements, including the Safe & Together framework.
• Undertake comprehensive risk assessments and safety planning within a DFV framework in consultation with relevant staff members within the Connected Families program.

• Providing day to day services in the IFS context that may include phone and face to face engagement with families, information and referral, crisis support and education, advocacy, risk assessment, safety planning and case management (as required).

About you

As the successful applicant, you will possess:

• You will hold a 3- or 4-year tertiary qualification in Social Work, Social Science, Psychology, or related discipline
• Minimum two years’ experience working with families impacted by domestic and family violence and skills in domestic and family violence risk assessments, trauma informed practice, safety planning and system advocacy

• Sound knowledge and understanding of the Queensland Child Protection system
• A demonstrated, evidence-based practice framework for understanding and working with families impacted by domestic and family violence and experience in the application of the Domestic and Family Violence Protection Act 2012
• An understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, cultures and societies and the issues which impact upon them in contemporary society together with a commitment to culturally appropriate engagement and practice
• Queensland Provisional Green (P2) or above Driver’s License
• Ability to obtain positive notice in the Working with Children Check (Blue Card) and any other legislatively required personal history screening as required
• Evidence of current vaccination against whooping cough or willingness to obtain prior to commencement unless applicable exemption provided as per the relevant Mercy Community procedure

Why Mercy Community

Mercy Community a Catholic not-for-profit that provides a wide range of services supporting families and young people, people living with a disability and the elderly. All our work is driven by our core values of Compassion, Integrity, Dignity & Empowerment.

At Mercy Community, we support our employees to reach for opportunities both within their area of expertise as well as in a new field. Build a career with us and explore the possibilities of moving upwards into leadership roles or discover a new location across our broad geographic footprint.

Being part of the Mercy Community team, means you have access to some fantastic benefits, such as:

• Increase your take home pay through the use of generous salary packaging - up to $18,550 per annum of your salary is available as a tax-free component
• Pay for your Queensland Blue Card and NDIS Worker Screening Card when you need – saving you up to $144 if you need both cards!
• Provide you and your immediate family free, professional and confidential counselling services including specialised First Nations counsellors

Depending on your role, you may also be eligible:

• For annual influenza and/or other vaccination reimbursements
• To receive pay bonus’ of $500 for successful employee referrals
• To cash out or purchase annual leave and to take advantage of extra leave entitlements

We also ensure all our employees have access to a wide variety of excellent learning and development tools to continue your professional and personal development. This includes making sure you have access to a range of other career pathways and opportunities across Mercy.

APPLY NOW!  Please note we may contact applicants prior to closing date so not delay in applying.

Mercy Community Services is a Circle Back Initiative Employer and commit to respond to every applicant.

For any queries, please contact MCSCareers.Mailbox@mercycs.org.au.