Domestic & Family Violence Social Worker

Women’s Legal Service Queensland (WLSQ) is a state-wide service which provides high quality legal and social support services to women, specialising in the areas of family law, domestic violence, child protection, financial abuse legal protection and sexual assault through our counselling notes protect program. WLSQ is committed to the creation of a society in which every woman:

• Is safe from violence;
• Is able to tell her story, have it heard and respected; and
• Receives a fair and just outcome from legal and social welfare systems.

WLSQ employs solicitors, social workers, financial counsellors and a community legal education officer who work collaboratively to provide integrated and holistic services that address a range of legal, financial, welfare and safety needs for women impacted by domestic and family violence in Queensland.

The Social Work role sits within the social work team at WLSQ which provides a critical point of intervention for women who have accessed WLSQ for legal advice and been identified as being at risk due to domestic and family violence. The Social Work team provide time limited psychological and practical support including risk assessment and safety planning, brief therapeutic and crisis intervention, court support, referrals for support and advocacy. The Social Work team is also involved in providing community education in collaboration with the solicitors and financial counsellors.

Social Work intervention is client-led and can either be a one-off discrete intervention or ongoing depending on the needs of the client. All social work intervention is free and voluntary.

About this role

Key Responsibilities:

• Providing specialist trauma informed services to WLSQ clients experiencing domestic violence through in person and telephone appointments in accordance with WLSQ policy and requirements:
  • Providing a range of social work services to clients including; client intake, domestic violence risk assessment, exit and safety planning, practical support with legal applications/ victims assist applications, facilitated referrals and individual needs assessments.
  • Providing case management support for legal casework clients in collaboration with WLSQ solicitors, depending on client need.
  • Providing support to WLSQ clients presenting in crisis or at immediate risk as a result of domestic violence or suicide.
  • Working collaboratively with legal and other non-legal staff to provide relevant support and assistance to clients.
  • Maintaining professional case notes and statistical records for reporting purposes.
  • Fostering a collaborative team culture for staff and volunteers which is professional, productive, supportive and consistent with the WLSQ values and feminist principles.
  • Travel between our offices at Annerley, Caboolture, Southport, Ipswich, Brisbane CBD may also be required.
  • Work outside office hours, including weekends will be required from time to time.
  • Any other reasonable tasks as requested the the Practice Director – Social Work.
• Development and delivery of community education, stakeholder engagement and law reform activities undertaken by WLSQ:
  • Developing and maintaining stakeholder engagement with key agencies who work with priority access groups, including developing referral pathways and delivering appropriate community legal education.
  • Contributing to law reform and legal system reform activities of WLSQ as required.

SKILLS AND CAPABILITIES:

• High level social work skills including DFV risk assessment, exit and safety planning, counselling, case management and advocacy skills; as well as demonstrated knowledge and practice experience in the areas of domestic and family violence, sexual assault and trauma informed practice.
• Experience in drafting domestic violence protection order applications and high-level written skills in report writing and maintaining data records.
• Knowledge of the Domestic and Family Violence Protection Act 2012 (QLD) and other relevant acts, is desirable.
• Ability to communicate effectively and work sensitively with clients from diverse backgrounds including vulnerable clients:
  • Who may have experienced domestic violence and/or trauma;
  • With a disability;
  • From culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds; and/or
  • From Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander backgrounds.
• Well-developed relationship management and interpersonal communication skills including the ability to engage with a range of audiences and stakeholders internal and external to WLSQ with the ability to work collaboratively in a multi-disciplinary environment.
• High level of knowledge and experience in establishing and maintaining relationships with referral agencies and formal community partners.
• Ability to provide community legal education activities where relevant to community agencies and other stakeholders.
• Ability to work under pressure, to set work priorities and to meet competing and tight deadlines.
• Demonstrated a commitment to working for a community organisation within a feminist framework in a manner consistent with the mission, purpose and values of WLSQ.
• It is a genuine occupational requirement for this position that the incumbent be a woman (section 25 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1991 (Qld)).

Mandatory Requirements:

• This role requires the incumbent to have a clear National Police Check and to obtain a blue card.
• This role requires the incumbent to hold a current Open Queensland Driver’s Licence.
• This role requires the incumbent to be a member or be eligible for membership of the Australian Association of Social Workers.

REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS

In addition to having a meaningful and rewarding career, you will receive:

• An attractive remuneration package from $97,377 to $101,784 plus super.
• Generous leave entitlements with additional paid leave over Christmas and New Year.
• Attractive salary sacrifices options.

APPLY NOW!

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are encouraged to apply for this position.

To apply for this position, click on ‘Apply Now‘ and upload a copy of your cover letter and CV.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.