Specialist Family Violence Advisor

Turning Point & Eastern Health

Turning Point is a national treatment, research and education centre that provides leadership in the alcohol and drug, gambling and mental health sectors in Victoria and beyond. Combining innovative research in the clinical, population health and policy fields, with service innovation, surveillance, system enhancements, capacity building and specialist support, Turning Point assists services, communities and the Victorian government to respond to current and emerging alcohol and drug and gambling issues.

Turning Point is part of Eastern Health, the largest public health provider in the eastern suburbs, providing a comprehensive range of high quality acute, sub-acute, palliative care, mental health, drug and alcohol, residential care and community health services.

About the role

The Royal Commission into Family Violence (Victoria) found that health services, including Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) and Mental Health (MH) services are in a unique position to be able to identify and respond to family violence experienced by their clients. The Specialist AOD Family Violence Advisor will provide expertise to major MH and AOD services and to ultimately encourage all three sectors to collaborate through the promotion of shared casework models. This position will provide expertise and support for workers in the AOD sector within their catchment, to identify and respond to family violence with their clients, whether they are experiencing family violence or perpetrating family violence. The objectives of the role are to support capacity building within the AOD sector through the provision of specialist family violence expertise and advice in identifying, recognising, and responding to family violence through an agreed shared care model. The role will also support and strengthen networks and collaborations between agencies and across relevant sectors and enhance referral pathways that provide a more integrated and collaborative health and human service system response to family violence.

About you

To be successful in this role you will possess:

• The ability to articulate and apply a practice framework focused on engagement and assessment, including extensive knowledge and experience of risk assessment frameworks and the Best Interests Case Practice Model, in the context of family violence.
• Ability to quickly acquire in depth knowledge and understanding of the Multi-Agency Risk Assessment and Management (MARAM) Framework, and Family Violence and Child Information Sharing Schemes (FVISS/CISS).

A significant understanding of:

• The gendered nature of family violence and the social and systemic issues affecting women and children
• he dynamics of family violence, including perpetrators’ pattern of coercive control and behaviours.
• The impact on children and the ability of the protective parent to safely parent.
• The structure and nature of the specialist family violence service system, with a focus on local specialist family violence support services and approaches in the local area, and the mechanisms they employ to restore and enhance safe, child- centred parenting.
• The interface between specialist family violence services and other service systems, particularly child protection.
• The relationship between family violence and substance misuse in the context of AOD treatment services, and its implications for AOD service delivery.

• Demonstrated experience in interagency liaison, consultation and the building of partnerships with key stakeholders and relevant service sectors, particularly effective negotiation and problem solving in a multi-disciplinary environment.
• Extensive experience and knowledge of working with diverse individuals and communities.
  Willingness and ability to engage with services working with perpetrators of family violence for the purpose of service linkage and referral.
• Demonstrated ability to manage confidential information, to keep accurate and complete records of work activities in accordance with organisational requirements, information security and privacy policies and requirements.
• Highly developed written and oral communication skills including; accurately recording data, correspondence, reporting and providing written and oral evidence as required.
• Demonstrated ability to flexibly manage competing priorities and stressful situations, monitoring own stress levels and practicing and promoting self-care strategies.

Qualifications, Knowledge and Experience

• Qualifications that meet the DHHS AOD Minimum Qualification Strategy (MQS) requirements, ideally including a degree in social work or a related community services discipline.
• Significant experience working in the AOD or MH sector with good knowledge of the family violence service system, preferably with supervisory experience desirable.
• Vaccination against infectious disease is a mandatory requirement of this role. An offer of employment is conditional on you providing evidence that you are currently vaccinated against COVID-19 with booster & Influenza, prior to commencing employment.

What we offer

Eastern Health offers a variety of fantastic Employee Benefits, view the extensive range here!

• Diverse and engaging career opportunities
• Friendly & supportive team
• Flexible working hours
• Salary packaging options
• Career progression in our teaching hospitals

Next Steps

If you believe you have the ability to make a difference in this rewarding industry, click ‘Apply Now’ today!

Please note:

• All applications must be submitted online via E-Mercury
• All appointments are made subject to a satisfactory Fit2Work Check, where preferred candidates will be required to complete a Criminal History Check at the expense of Eastern Health.
• You must have Australian work rights to apply for this position.
• Recruitment agency applications will not be accepted.

Eastern Health is a child safe organisation, committed to promoting the wellbeing and cultural safety of Aboriginal children, children with disabilities and all children in their diversity.

Eastern Health is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment that welcomes and values all people. We recognise that diversity is essential in ensuring Eastern Health provides the best service to its consumers.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, women, those from the LGBTIQ+ community, people living with disability and those from a culturally and linguistically diverse background, are strongly encouraged to apply. Those seeking support in submitting an application are welcome to contact the hiring manager listed or feel free to contact the Talent Acquisition team.

Values in Action: Respect for all – Safe always – Partnering in care – Learning and improving every day

**Please note applications will be screened upon receipt and advertising may close prior to the closing date.**

A position description is attached.