Senior Practitioner – Intake & Assessment

The Senior Practitioner – Intake and Assessment will provide phone-based services to callers seeking information, referral, assessment and support in managing safety due to family violence as well as undertaking triage, brief and comprehensive family violence risk assessments and the planning of immediate crisis responses to manage caller safety.

The Senior Practitioner – Intake and Assessment will also provide support when required and directed by the Team Leader or Team leader – Intake and Assessment the real time management of resources to meet call queue demand, best practice leadership, and coaching to staff working on the frontline of service.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Service Delivery

• Provision of information, advice, and consultation, and where appropriate referral for victim survivors, their family members or service providers.
• Provision of telephone-based family violence crisis intervention to clients who are at serious risk of harm due to family violence
• Respond to victim survivors through the Safe Steps’ webchat service and respond by email
• Assess and respond to family violence risk within the MARAM service delivery framework to support the safety of victim survivors
• Contribute to project and other activities designed to improve the statewide family violence crisis response service
• The role requires that services delivered are of high quality, and in line with the Code of Practice for Specialist Family Violence Services and the Multi-Agency Risk Assessment and Management (MARAM) Framework

Practice Leadership

• Best practice leadership in the Family Violence Crisis Response Intake and Assessment team including risk and needs assessments, safety planning and risk management

• Support of ongoing skill development for team members from induction facilitation and support to supervision and coaching

Service Delivery Leadership

• When requested by Team leaders or Senior team Leaders support real time management of the crisis response team in meeting prescribed service levels and key performance targets.

Team Support

• Model and lead a team-based approach to service delivery encouraging shared responsibilities and teamwork as key to meeting service objectives
• Be an active, engaged, and collaborative team member
• Adhering to and supporting change and actively embracing and advocating for growth within the organisation. This includes being open to new ideas, approaches, and perspectives by demonstrating flexibility and resilience.

Professional Development and Continuous Improvement

• Maintain and develop theoretical knowledge and practice wisdom in relevant areas (complex trauma, childhood abuse, family/domestic violence, sexual assault, supervision frameworks) and meet core values and behaviours of Safe Steps

Occupational Health and Safety

• Meet Occupational Health & Safety obligations in line with Safe Steps’ Policy & Procedures as well as relevant legislation.

Other

• Perform other duties consistent with the position where required and/or requested by management from time to time
• Complete mandatory and other professional development training as required
• Adhere to all organisational policies and procedures, including all workplace health and safety measures

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EXEMPTION

• This role is exempt from the provision of the Equal Opportunity Act 2010 which would otherwise require the appointment to this position to be on a non-gender specific basis. Applications for this position will be considered from people who identify as women (Exemption H135/2022)

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

• This position is designated under the Multiagency Risk Assessment and Management framework (MARAM) Comprehensive (Tier 1) level which requires mandated MARAM Family Violence Comprehensive training and MARAM Comprehensive responsibilities.
• Safe Steps is a child safe organisation and is committed to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all children, at all times. All Safe Steps services, programs and practices are in compliance with Victoria’s Child Safe Standards.
• Safe Steps recognises that risk management, and the sound and effective implementation of a risk management strategy with associated tools and plans, is a key process in a best practice framework at all levels of the organisation. We are committed to the implementation and maintenance of a formal risk management system in order to provide a sound quality and governance framework that aligns with the Australian Standard for Risk Management (AS/NZS ISO 31000:2018) and ensures there are linkages between risk management and decision making, there is clearly articulated accountability, and there is mandate and commitment from all key staff in the organisation.
• Safe Steps is committed to the principles of continuous quality improvement (CQI) in all aspects of its operations, service delivery and governance. We place the highest priority on the safety and wellbeing of those we support and provide services to.
• All offers of employment are subject to satisfactory background checks including a National Police Check (including an international police check if resided continuously in an overseas country for 12 months or more in the last ten years), Working with Children Check, disclosure of previous or current disciplinary action, referee checks, proof of eligibility to work in Australia and qualification checks.
• Where background checks are not to the satisfaction of Safe Steps in its absolute discretion, the offer of employment may be retracted or terminated.
• If you are offered employment with Safe Steps and are not currently an existing employee, you will be required to disclose full details of any pre-existing injuries or illness that may be affected by the work and/or undergo a health assessment. The disclosure/health assessment is conducted to ensure you have the health and mental capacity to meet the requirements of the position and to identify any adjustments that may need to be made in the workplace. Failing to notify or hiding a pre-existing injury or illness which might be affected by the nature of the proposed employment, could result in that injury or illness being ineligible for future compensation claims.

Desired Skills and Experience

Essential

• Bachelor of Social Work or an equivalent qualification, or a willingness to work towards an equivalent qualification
• Understanding of feminist theory and contemporary family violence practice including the gendered nature of violence
• Extensive experience in the provision of family violence response services, including experience leading a team in a social service setting
• Experience in undertaking comprehensive risks and needs assessments and risk management responses
• Completion of the Multi Agency Risk Assessment (MARAM) Framework training and a demonstrated understanding of its application in the context of Crisis Services or the willingness to undergo training at employment start
• Proven track record in working in team setting in a family violence, mental health, alcohol and drugs, child protection or disability setting
• Experience and confidence in managing risks including suicide, self-harm and child safety
• Understanding of federal and state-based legislation including child protection legislation relevant to service industry
• Understanding of intersectionality as it relates to diverse and marginalised populations experience and commitment to working with same
• Demonstrated ability to work in a challenging and demanding environment, managing competing demands, and maintaining composure in times of stress – employing effective engagement strategies with staff and with clients in crisis
• High level of resilience and self-care practices in place
• Willingness to commit to the living expression of Safe Steps values; Integrity, Diversity and Empowerment.
• A current Victorian Drivers License and Working with Children Check
• Willingness to undergo a National Police Check

INTERESTED? APPLY TODAY!

If this sounds like the role for you then click on the ‘Apply Now’ button below.

Please note applications will be assessed as they are received. We reserve the right to close the application period early if a suitable candidate is found.

Please ensure that you:

• Submit your resume and cover letter.
• Complete all application questions.