Family Safety Advocate

Family Life – Transforming lives for stronger communities

• Work locally in the Bayside Area and make a difference within the Community
• Flexible work options and a great team culture
• Full-time, Permanent opportunity
• Level 5 SCHADS Award $93,860 + Generous Salary Packaging + Super

Family Life is a recognised Employer of Choice. Work with us and be part of our supportive, people-focused culture.

The Opportunity

We are looking for someone who is passionate about helping people in their greatest time of need. The Family Safety Advocate supports victim-survivors, who are the partners/ex partners/family members of men attending the Men’s Behaviour Change Program (MBCP) due to perpetrating Family Violence. This role is well suited to an early career Practitioner/Social Worker wishing to gain further experience in the Family Safety sector.

The Family Safety Advocate works with women to assess risk and develop safety plans and maintain communication with the woman throughout the man’s MBCP service to ensure the safety of her and her children. This role also involves supporting women to address the impact of family violence through referrals into Family Violence counselling or other appropriate services.

Key Responsibility Areas

• Working with victim-survivors of family violence to enhance safety and provide support.
• Conducting phone MARAM risk assessments and developing safety plans with partners/ex-partners/family members of the men attending MBCP.
• Updating MBCP facilitators and/or leadership team of an escalation in risk and plan to mitigate risk and ensure safety.
• Linking the women with support services as required.
• Ensuring that the needs and safety of the women and children take priority at all times.
• Working in collaboration with the Family Safety Leadership Team (Team Leader and Practice Leader) and MBCP facilitators when necessary.
• Ensuring services are delivered to quality standards, comply with relevant legislation and achieve contractual requirements.
• Maintaining professional documentation and administrative systems according to agency and legislative requirements, including planning and documentation of group and education programs.
• Commitment to research and evaluation and application of evidence-based practice.
• Compliance with the organisation’s Program Planning and Evaluation Framework.
• Attending regular reflective practice groups, which explores the role privilege plays with particular reference to sexism across the Family Violence and Family Services sector.
• May require co-facilitation of therapeutic support groups specific to women, children or adolescents who have experienced family violence.

Our Ideal Candidate

Bachelor qualified in Psychology, Social Work, Counselling, Family Therapy or a related field, you have 1-2 years of experience working in the Family Safety field.

Your education and prior experience has led you to be trauma informed with knowledge of the complexities of family violence. You recognise that the best outcomes are reached when you work respectfully within a multidisciplinary team.

You are passionate about providing service excellence that meets the needs of our community with a commitment to continuous improvement and ongoing learning.

Training and development will be provided and there are fantastic growth opportunities within Family Life. This is your chance to play an integral role and make a positive impact in people’s everyday lives while learning new skills and growing your career.

Who we are

At Family Life, we believe every child deserves to thrive in a safe and healthy family environment. Family Life is a specialist family services provider that has worked with children, families and communities for more than 50 years. Our vision is to work with clients and partners to create capable communities, strong families and thriving children.

We are known for our innovation and whole-of-community collective impact approach. Our teams are committed to transforming the lives of our clients and communities to build resilience and healthy relationships. We are proudly purpose-driven, independent and not for profit. We support our community through our specialist family services, community strengthening programs, a network of op shops, a vibrant engaged volunteer community and passionate skilled staff.

Working at Family Life is more than just a job

It’s the feeling of knowing that your work is contributing to making the community in which you live a better place and working with others who feel the same way.

Additionally, you will have access to:

• Fantastic opportunity for early career practitioners to develop experience in providing support to Women experiencing family/partner violence
• Flexible work options (minimum 3 days onsite)
• Great team culture
• Salary packaging (receive up to an extra $18,500 in tax-free pay per year)
• Paid Wellbeing Leave
• Paid Study Leave
• Additional Paid Leave for End of Year Closedown
• Purchased Annual Leave Scheme
• Rostered Day Off Scheme for Eligible Employees
• Employee Assistance Program, a free and confidential counselling service for employees

How to Apply

A full position description is available on our career page: Family Life Careers page.

Please submit your confidential application including a CV and cover letter addressing the key selection criteria via the Apply Now button.

For further information regarding the position please contact Rebecca, Program Manager, Family Safety & Wellbeing on (03) 8599 5433.

This is a re-advertised role. Previous applicants need not apply.

*We will be reviewing applications as they are received, therefore this role may close sooner if we find the right candidate. Please apply now to ensure you do not miss out!

All offers of employment are subject to the Family Life Safety Screening process, including a Working with Children Check and Police Records Check. Any person issued with a negative notice on their Working with Children Check will not be eligible for employment with Family Life.

Family Life values diversity and welcomes applicants who meet the position criteria, irrespective of race and ethnicity, colour, age, gender, gender identity, disability, religion and sexual orientation.

Family Life is a trauma informed organisation and recognises the unique skills, contributions and insights that come from lived experience.

Family Life is a child safe organisation. We value, respect and listen to children and young people. We are committed to the safety of all children and young people. Family Life supports children to meet their potential and thrive. We do not tolerate neglect, mistreatment or abuse of any kind.