SMLS is seeking an experienced Social Worker to join our growing, fast-paced human rights organisation! This role is suited to a Social Worker seeking to upskill and develop their leadership capabilities.

The role of the Social Worker at SMLS is multifaceted and integral to the success of the organisation and the delivery of our integrated services model. The Social Worker plays a pivotal role in ensuring that the team works cohesively and efficiently to provide high-quality legal and social support services to the south-east community.

A major focus of the role is the clinical supervision of social work students, guiding them in their professional development and ensuring that they adhere to ethical standards while providing client-centred, trauma-informed care and case management. The Social Worker will foster a learning environment that promotes growth and skill development for the next generation of social work professionals.

About SMLS

Established in 1973, South-East Monash Legal Service (SMLS) is a community legal centre that provides free legal assistance to people in Southeast Melbourne. SMLS provides legal information, advice and case work including representation for people experiencing disadvantage on a range of legal matters, such as family law and family violence, employment law, debt and fines, civil litigation, wills, power of attorney, and tenancy.

SMLS aims to empower and support members of the community to understand and make use of the law and the legal system to protect their rights and to increase their awareness of their legal responsibilities. SMLS is a strong advocate of and committed to the use of integrated service models to address multifaceted challenges facing our community members.

SMLS is committed to advocacy and social change. SMLS is a leader in the provision of community and clinical legal education; advocacy through policy submissions and lobbying; outreach services; and targeted referral programs.

Our Vision 

A fair and inclusive community where people can access the resources, networks and support they need to resolve legal issues and overcome barriers to social, cultural and economic inclusion and participation

Our Purpose

To help resolve people’s legal and interconnected issues and ensure that laws and legal processes are fair.

Our Values

Our core values are Respect, Community, Excellence and Courage.

Position Context

Support Connect Integrated Program (SCIP)

SCIP aims to contribute to a resilient community by taking a holistic approach to meet the legal and social needs of vulnerable people from diverse backgrounds in south east Melbourne.

SCIP provides social support and financial counselling services to clients with complex needs through an integrated practice model of service in which Community Lawyers work together with Social Work and Financial Counselling to provide advocacy, support, legal advice and case work interventions as part of a team.

This program recognises the importance of well-coordinated services in order to deal with co-occurring legal problems. Legal problems are often clustered together, and disadvantaged people are especially vulnerable to a wide range of legal problems. SCIP address the complicated, coexisting and interrelated legal and non- legal problems that cut across many aspects of people’s well-being, including their family circumstances, finances, employment, health, housing and welfare.

Clients accessing the program receive the provision of legal assistance, financial counselling and social work support. The social work element provides referrals and case management to community members so that interventions, actions and supports have a medium term, sustainable outcome for the individual. People access the program via one of our many intake points, including our duty lawyer program at Dandenong Magistrates Court, outreaches at high schools and libraries, as well as community, maternal and health centres.

The Social Worker will work with the team to supervise social work students in the provision of case work, advocacy, referrals and support to vulnerable and disadvantaged clients coming to SMLS for assistance.

Clinical Program

A central element of the SCIP is a dedicated clinical learning experience for students undertaking their placement at SMLS. The Social Worker is responsible for providing clinical supervision to these students, according to the Supervisor Standards as outlined in section 9.1 of the AASW Supervision Standards 2014. The program is an onsite clinical experience where future social workers have a discrete and unique exposure to the justice system in a community legal context. The learning of students in this clinical context aims to break down barriers between professions, assisting students to have a cross-disciplinary understanding will shape them as effective practitioners, help their future clients and build stronger services.

Team Structure

SCIP Team sits within the Community Development Department comprising: The Director of Advocacy and Development, the Manager of Integrated and Community Programs, the Social Worker, and a Financial Counsellor, provided through a partnership with Good Shepherd. The team liaises with other teams including our lawyers and our intake team.

All members of SMLS must adhere to relevant legal professional privilege requirements and related privacy and reporting policies. Regular supervision, support and guidance for the position is provided by the Manager of Integrated and Community Programs.

Strategic Objectives

1. Integrated, Person-Centred Services
2. Empowered Communities
3. Fairer Laws and Better Legal Processes
4. Practitioners of the Future
5. Organisation of Choice

The role should be able to demonstrate a working knowledge of these objectives and be able to implement them through their duties. For more information about our strategic objectives, read SMLS’ Strategic Plan 2021-2025 here.

Position Requirements

Essential Selection Criteria

• Tertiary qualification in Social Work, recognised by the AASW and eligible for membership with the AASW with at least two years (full time equivalent) post qualifying experience
• Demonstrated skills and knowledge in the provision of social work services to people experiencing disadvantage including: assessment, counselling, crisis management, case management, advocacy, intervention and appropriate referral
• Experience working in community or health-based services such as; housing/homelessness, family violence, mental health, disability or drug and alcohol services, settlement services
• Commitment to social justice and an understanding of feminist principles and values within a family violence context
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to work independently in a self-directed and self-motivated manner, while also actively contributing to a team based working environment
• Ability to identify systemic barriers, experience promoting social justice and empowering clients and communities through advocacy

Desirable

• Experience supervising social work students undertaking placements/field work or relevant experience
• Experience working with or within a multi-disciplinary environment, building collaborative relationships across professional boundaries
• Experience working with people from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities
• Experience working in or demonstrated knowledge of the justice system and processes in a legal context
• Demonstrate a critical knowledge of the range of theories and models for social work intervention with individuals, families, groups and communities, and the methods derived from them

Please note, this role will requires the Social Worker to work across both of our offices (Springvale and Narre Warren), and at several outreach locations around the south-east.

For more detailed information please see the attached Position Description.

Any further questions can be directed to [email protected] using the subject line: Social Worker enquiry via EthicalJobs.