Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Specialist Domestic Violence Support Worker (Identified Position)

• Part time 24 hours per 3-day week (12 Month Contract)
• Salary: ACT Community Sector Multi Enterprise Agreement (MEA) Level 6
• (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leave conditions form part of the agreement)
• This is an identified position.

Vision Statement

Beryl Women Inc. is committed to contributing to the creation of a society free from all forms of domestic violence, discrimination, and abuse of power against women and children, particularly the most marginalised groups of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and culturally and linguistically diverse women we work with.

Service Mission

Beryl Women Inc. provides specialist crisis and transitional housing, strength-based case management support and advocacy to women and their children escaping domestic violence. The service provides a professional, accountable, trauma-informed specialist domestic violence service that is based in the principles of intersectional feminism, social justice and reconciliation and recognises and fosters cultural diversity.

Beryl Women Inc. is committed to promoting intersectional feminist principles, beliefs and practices to eliminate homelessness and disadvantage experienced by women and children due to domestic violence. Intersectionality identifies how interlocking systems of social power affect those who are most marginalised through race, gender, sex, sexuality, class, ability, nationality, citizenship, religion and body type. It denotes how these systems work together to oppress while allowing privilege.

This service has a particular commitment to reconciliation and supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women in a sensitive way, both through service provision to clients and workplace practices for staff.

Job Description

This is a 12-month position (with the possibility to extend beyond the initial 12-month term and to 32 hours per week for the right candidate) that will focus on domestic/family violence and child protection for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and children.
The position provides intensive prevention and intervention outreach support for Aboriginal and or Torres strait Islander women who have not accessed accommodation services with Beryl or a refuge service but are still living with the impacts of domestic/family violence and child protection issues. The role will utilise case management practices and principles within a feminist, trauma-informed framework.

A flexible and responsive case management approach in accordance with SAAP guidelines and principles is taken on a one-to-one basis to women and children to assist in resolving or averting a potential crisis and increasing safety. This support aims to increase self-reliance and independence.

Staff member will work with women to employ a range of early intervention techniques, as the key to breaking the patterns that are often intergenerational, as well as providing women and children with strategies for staying safe within the home. This includes not only safety planning with the women, but also includes safety planning with children.

In consultation with the CEO, support can take place in a variety of locations (where women identify is safe or desirable to them) – e.g., Clients own home, coffee shop, park, Beryl or another service.

Women can self-refer or be referred by Aboriginal Community Controlled organisations other government/non-government agencies.
The Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander Specialist Support Worker will be an active contributor to the ongoing development and goals of the organisation as well as represent the organisation in the community to promote attitudinal and legislative change regarding responses to domestic violence. The position will encourage and support others to understand the specific issues facing the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population, both those women working in the field and the women and their children escaping violence.

Duty Statement

Provide Outreach Case Management Services to women who access the service which may include:

• Safety planning
• Applying for a DVO/AVO
• Court support
• Building self-confidence and independence
• Advice on housing rights and responsibilities
• Sourcing legal support
• Referrals to other relevant agencies
• Home visits after a full risk assessment has been completed
• Referral pathways
• Parenting support
• Transport in limited circumstances

Advocacy and Support navigating systems/services such as:

• Child protection, Domestic/family violence, Housing & Homelessness and Legal Support
• Provide the best quality services to our clients by providing culturally appropriate care in a safe environment.
• Increased connection to culture

Follow established Beryl Women Inc. guidelines for referral, assessment, and entry to the service.

• In consultation with the client, develop an appropriate case plan that will support transition through the service in a timely manner.
• Monitor the case plan to make sure the client’s goals are realistic and being achieved through regular client meetings, staff meetings and team review.
• Assist and advocate for access to safe independent housing through a variety of sources and facilitate access to other services in the community if required.
• Provide basic counselling, advocacy, referral, court support, information, transport, and other assistance as identified in the case plan.
• Provide opportunity for development of practical day to day living and/ or parenting skills where a need has been identified.
• Provide separate support for children within the service where necessary through collaboration with the Children’s Support worker.
• Linking clients with existing services.
• Establishing networks and community activities.
• Establishing a sense of belonging and places to access for help when required

Participate collaboratively in whole of Staff Team responsibilities.

• Remain flexible and responsive to client and team needs by participating in all aspects of the organization.
• Facilitate and participate in a variety of meetings and prepare minutes when required.
• Provide peer support and debriefing and engage in regular supervision.

Participate in organisational goals through active involvement in:

• Practical and administrative support to the CEO regarding reports and submissions.
• Participation in service development processes including policy and practice planning.
• Representing the organisation within the ACT Community services sector to maintain a focus on the needs of women and children escaping domestic violence, including facilitating activities in the community in education, early intervention and prevention.

Maintain appropriate administration and record-keeping processes.

• Maintain current case file notes and data entry, ensuring client integrity, confidentiality and non-judgmental recording of facts.
• Support other staff in administration of the service where required.
• Prepare reports, submissions and other written material that contribute to the ongoing development of the organization.

Selection Criteria

• Competence in cultural awareness and understanding of how to work with Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Women
• Demonstrated understanding of contemporary feminist theory and how that translates to practice support in domestic violence against women and children and homelessness.
• Thorough understanding of successful case management practices and outcomes in a homeless or domestic/family violence service.
• Well-developed knowledge of the effect of trauma, including inter-generational trauma, dispossession, racism on women and children escaping domestic/family violence and how this interacts with the Child Protection system.
• Demonstrated competence in risk assessment and working under minimal supervision in a crisis environment.
• Well-developed written and verbal skills and proficiency in basic computer skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in a team setting and with a variety of groups and organisations across the ACT community services sector.
• Current Driver’s License plus vehicle and Working with Vulnerable People Registration Card (ACT)

Desirable

• Relevant tertiary qualification in human services and/or experience working in women’s services, crisis or community services, social policy, or advocacy.
• An understanding of the policy and funding environment regarding housing and homelessness, including the National Affordable Housing Agreement (NAHA), Specialist Housing and Homelessness Services in the ACT and responses to violence against women and
• Lived experience of domestic violence or homelessness.