Domestic and Family Violence Specialist (DFV) Caseworker

The DFV Specialist Caseworker will join a team of social workers and provide casework support to Mary’s House Services clients: women and children impacted by domestic and family violence. The DFV Specialist Caseworker is a tertiary qualified social worker, with three years or more experience and a specialisation in domestic and family violence casework. (Paid at Level 4.3 in the first year of employment).

Principle duties

The DFV Specialist Caseworker’s duties include but are not limited to the following:

·       Assessment of clients’ support needs (including legal, psychological, health, housing, income maintenance and debt, immigration, and safety.

·       Independently initiate, develop, prioritise, and review case plans for clients.

·       Provide trauma informed support and crisis counselling

·       Risk assessment, using the DVSAT, and safety planning with clients.

·       Ongoing intensive casework and strengths-based case management with clients, working towards independent living, free of violence and abuse.

·       Provision of relevant information to clients and making warm referrals on their behalf to a range of service providers to assist with their ongoing needs.

·       Identify and home and personal safety needs and possible solutions.

·       Adhere to NSW Child Safe Standards in all casework practices

·       Advocacy with appropriate government and non-government agencies and services for legal, counselling, health, financial, housing, immigration, and other needs.

·       Develop and maintain strong working relationships and referral networks in the local area and in other locations to facilitate client access to those agencies and services.

·       Respond to client requests for information, advice, referral, and other assistance.

·       When required, use safety assessments and processes and guidance from the Manager to have safe meetings with clients away from Mary’s House Services offices or locations.

·       Participate in internal group supervision or other supervision as required.

·       High-level record-keeping and file maintenance.

Position summary

·       Reporting to Refuge and Casework Manager.

·       Attend and participate in team and planning activities and organisation-wide meetings.

·       Undertake ongoing professional development, as approved by the Manager.

·       Adhere to Mary’s House Services policies and procedures, services standards, values and Code of Conduct and meet all required health and safety requirements.

·       Adhere to and work within codes of practice relevant to your role at Mary’s House Services and your position in the community sector.

·       Be familiar with, and comply with all administrative, WHS and human resources procedures and processes relevant to your position.

·       Attend regular meetings with the Manager and constructively participate in dialogue about your performance, professional development, and work goals.

·       Other duties as requested by the Manager that are within the scope of this position.

Key internal relationships

·       Refuge and Case Worker Manager and team

·       Community Programs Manager

Key external relationships

·       Referring agencies and networks

·       Community support services

Essential attributes

·       Working with Children Check

·       Police Check

·       You must identify as a woman. Mary’s House Services considers identifying as a woman to be a genuine occupational qualification for this position under s.31 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 (NSW).

Essential experience, skills, and qualifications

·       Degree-level qualification in Social Work, at a level eligible for membership of the AASW.

·       Three years’ experience or more as a social worker and a specialisation in working in the domestic and family violence sector.

·       Demonstrated understanding of the complexities and dynamics of domestic and family violence.

·       Experience completing initial assessments, crisis intervention, risk, and safety assessment and planning.

·       Demonstrated ability to accurately record client data, including data of a sensitive nature.

·       Demonstrated skills, knowledge and experience working from a trauma-informed, person-centred, strengths-based, and feminist perspective.

·       High level interpersonal and relationship-building skills, and a friendly disposition.

·       Strong administration and organisational skills with good attention to detail and accuracy.

·       Good time management and prioritisation skills and an ability to work autonomously.

·       Demonstrated excellent written and verbal communication skills.

·       Experience networking with multidisciplinary services and agencies and ability to build and foster relationships within a changing sector climate.

Desirable experience, skills and qualifications

·       Experience conducting intake and referral for a domestic and family violence service.

·       Fluency in a community language other than English.

Key Performance Indictors

·       Casework services are delivered in a trauma-informed, safe, kind and effective manner, consistent with organisational values.

·       Data relating to casework is entered into the client database in a timely and accurate manner.

·       Communicate and collaborate effectively within the casework team and with the Community Programs team.

·       Provide effective support and contributions to project work and tasks delegated to you by the Refuge and Casework Manager.

·       Contribute effectively to team projects and discussions.

Details

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Mary's House Services

Mary’s House Services is a wonderful example of what a community can achieve when it identifies a gap in services and a desperate need for community support. We are a grass roots organisation, providing quality services for women and children who have experienced domestic or family violence. We offer safety, hope, and empowerment for women and children to rebuild their lives.

Established in 2016 as an independent not-for-profit, we innovate to provide support services in response to community needs. Through Mary’s House refuge, and casework services for women living in the community, we offer professional support, accommodation, case management services and therapeutic groups to women, while they navigate options before, during and after leaving an abusive relationship.