Victims Assistance Program Support Worker

About The Sexual Assault & Family Violence Centre

We are a leading organisation offering a comprehensive suite of services to clients and the community across the Barwon, West Melbourne and Wimmera Regions. Providing specialist sexual assault and family violence programs and services, including 24 hour crisis care support, crisis accommodation, case management, therapeutic counselling, early intervention and professional education and training, we continue to grow and develop our offerings.

About the Victims Assistance Program 

The Victims Assistance Program (VAP) is a critical part of the state-wide response to all victims of reported and unreported crimes against the person in Victoria, including related victims of homicide, aggravated burglary and assaults.

VAP provides assistance to victims across all genders and cultural backgrounds within Victoria and is victim-led and trauma informed, holistic, equitable, coordinated, timely, specialised, accountable, and culturally safe and inclusive.

About The Role

The Victim Support Worker provides a variety of support functions to victims of crime which may include provision of intake and assessment, crisis support, case management and case work. The position will work collaboratively with the VAP Team Leader, Family Violence Practice Lead and Aboriginal Engagement Worker to provide a client centred approach that promotes recovery through the provision of psychological first aid, support, information, advocacy, referrals, outreach, education, community links and use brokerage funds. This position is full time.

About You

With degree or working towards a qualification in social work, welfare or psychology, you have demonstrated experience in assessment and risk management, safety planning and crisis accommodation support.  You thrive working autonomously and in a dynamic team environment, with the ability to prioritise competing demands. You will be a values driven person, motivated to make a difference and hold the client at the centre of everything you do.

If you share our vision for a community free from family violence and sexual assault and are motivated to make a difference, we would like to hear from you.  We pride ourselves on being a great place to work. You care for our clients and we care for you, including by investing in your development and wellbeing. You will have access to leading specialists and training and development that supports you in your role and in your longer term career journey.

Why work for The Sexual Assault & Family Violence Centre?

The Sexual Assault & Family Violence Centre takes pride in being an employer of choice; we are passionate about the wellbeing of our team members and we celebrate diversity and inclusion in all we do. We have a high level of employee engagement and satisfaction and provide a number of complementary benefits to our staff, some of our benefits include:

• Career pathways
• Generous above award Enterprise Agreement entitlements
• Flexible and part time working arrangements
• Professional development opportunities
• 10 weeks Paid parental leave
• Salary packaging
• Health and Wellbeing initiatives
• Flu vaccinations
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Social initiatives
• Positive workplace culture

The SAFV Centre acknowledges and respects the traditional Aboriginal custodians of the land.

Applications close 5:00pm Monday 29 May 2023.

We will be reviewing and interviewing applications as they come so please apply straight away.

To apply, please send your resume and response to the key selection criteria to [email protected]. All applications must address the key selection criteria outlined in the PD. 

For a confidential discussion, please contact Chantale Recruitment and Student Program Coordinator on 0487 546 939.

The SAFV Centre is a registered Child Safe Organisation; committed to safeguarding children and young people. The successful candidate will be required to maintain a current Working With Children’s check and National Police Check.

The SAFV Centre requires all employees and students to be fully vaccinated (two doses) against COVID-19, unless they are an Excepted Person as defined by the COVID-19 Mandatory Vaccination (Workers) Directions. All applicants and students must therefore be able to comply with this requirement.

Key Selection Criteria

• Essential Qualifications and Experience

  Your application must address the following:

  • A Bachelor or working towards a qualification in social work, psychology or other relevant disciplines.
• Essential Skills and Knowledge
  • A demonstrated knowledge of the issues impacting victims of crime and a good understanding of the Criminal Justice System.
  • Understanding of risk assessment and case management principles, crisis intervention and casework alongside the capacity to manage high volume caseloads.

  • Knowledge and understanding of the impacts of trauma and the gendered nature and complex dynamic of family violence.
  • Demonstrated understanding and commitment to building partnerships and networks with external organisations.
  • Well-developed communication skills and an ability to work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders.
  • Ability to work independently, to act at all times with professional integrity and to work collaboratively as part of a team and the broader organisation.
  • Demonstrated ability to manage change, competing priorities and reflect and analyse complex problems and provide workable solutions.
  • Ability to accurately record data, evidence outcomes, write reports and comply with funding body requirements.
  • Demonstrated understanding of and commitment to the principles of equity, diversity, continual improvement, risk management and occupational health and safety.
• Other
  • Commitment to the vision, values and purposes of The SAFV Centre.
  • Commitment to continuous quality improvement and cultural equity in service delivery.
  • Current Victorian Driver’s Licence.
• Referees

  Applicants must provide the name and current contact details of 2-3 professional referees including the most recent or current supervisor.

• Period of Appointment

  This position is ongoing pending the continuation of funding to the service.

• Hours of Work
  • The position is full time.
  • Location of the position is at the Barwon region.
  • Hours will usually be worked during business hours of 9.00 am to 5.06 pm. between Monday to Friday;
  • The days are based on the needs of the service. Flexibility in working hours will be required from time to time as the need arises.
• Salary and Conditions

  Annual salary is Social and Community Services Level 4 Pay Point 1-3 range is $77,584.00 – $81,654.04 plus superannuation (pro rata for part time). Salary will be commensurate with experience and skills.

  Industrial Instrument: The Sexual Assault & Family Violence Centre Enterprise Agreement 2018.

  Salary Packaging: Provided via Maxxia.  PBI status with other expenses available to package above this cap. The Sexual Assault & Family Violence Centre is a Public Benevolent Institution.

  Superannuation: The employer will also make superannuation payments on your behalf in accordance with the Superannuation Guarantee (Administration) Act 1992.

  Probationary Period – 6 months with a review conducted during this time.

• Employee Responsibility – Mandatory prior to commencement

  Employee expense:

  • Valid Working with Children Check
  • National Police Records Check – renewed every 3 years of employment at employee expense