Senior Practitioner – Queerspace Family Violence Response

The Senior Practitioner, alongside the FV Manager, is responsible for leading practice across the FV programs and supporting individual staff.

• First Nations People and people from public housing estates, Culturally Diverse Communities, LGBTIQA+ people and people with disability are encouraged to apply
• Applicants who have a lived experience are encouraged to apply 
• Drummond Street Services (DS) is committed to prioritising child safety and adhere to the Reportable Conduct Scheme for organisations.
• DURATION: Full time or part time position available until June 30th 2025, with option of extension dependent on funding   

About the role

Drummond Street Services (DS) delivers responsive, intentional and evidence-based prevention, early intervention and treatment programs, within a public health framework for a range of communities, including a range of family violence programs. We strive to build and enhance the innate resilience of children, young people, adults, their families and communities and to increase protective factors.

The Family Violence Response is made up of three distinct programs. With Respect, which includes case management, brokerage, and counselling for LGBTIQA+ people who have experienced harm. Futures Free from Violence, a program for women and trans and gender diverse people using harm who want to change their behaviour. Living Free from Violence, a program for incarcerated women and trans and gender diverse people using harm who want to change their behaviour delivered at DPFC. The Senior Practitioner, alongside the FV Manager, is responsible for leading practice across the FV programs and supporting individual staff to reach their full potential while meeting all program deliverables.

Your responsibilities

• Lead, supervise and collaborate with a trans-disciplinary team to ensure delivery of high quality, client led counselling, family violence and support services across Queerspace and the Family Violence Response Team
• Lead and inspire high performance teams by engaging staff, setting clear direction and performance expectations
  • Contribute to and foster a positive and affirmative team environments
  • Contribute to the preparation of reports for funders
  • Ensure performance targets are met and that data and evaluation material is collected and input into our client information systems consistently and in a timely way

About you 

• Use collaborative leadership and management techniques to support and empower team members
• Bring experience and confidence to your leadership, ensuring our staff group reflects the communities we service by upholding cultural safety for staff and in our service practices

• Highly skilled and experienced mental health practitioner and Senior Practitioner
  • Demonstrate a strong understanding of child and adolescent development, whole of family practice, recovery-oriented trauma informed practice and the impact of structural disadvantage on individuals, families and communities, such as racism, sexism, Islamophobia, homophobia or transphobia

Selection Criteria

All of the following must be addressed in your application to be considered.

Essential

• Minimum Degree level qualification in Social Work or the equivalent.
• A minimum of three years’ experience in the family services, family violence and/or mental health sectors
• Highly skilled and experienced mental health practitioner and practice lead
• Demonstrate knowledge and application of LGBTIQA+ specialist and mainstream therapeutic and supportive approaches for families and specifically children and young people with particular focus on early intervention and preventative family-based interventions.
  • Ability to contribute to the organisations culture, people, research and best practice, along with high level written skills.
  • Demonstrate your genuine interest and commitment to collaborating with First Nation, LGBTIQA+, and people of color. Use examples.
• A minimum of three years’ experience in the family services, family violence and/or mental health sectors
• Identify as belonging to LGBTIQA+ communities, as well as other communities with whom DS assertively engages
  • Victorian driver’s license

Application process

• All applications will be directed to our careers portal at the Apply Now link below. 
• All applicants must include a resume and with a cover letter addressing all the key selection criteria for the position.
• Interviews will be arranged when suitable applications are received so we encourage early submission.