• Employer: The Women’s Community Aid Association Inc.
• Status: Fixed term contract (January – December 2021)
• Work Hours: 26 hours per week
• Pay Award & Classification: SCHCADS Award Level 5.2
• C21 Woolloongabba and Northside

Thank you for your interest in the position of Support and Group Worker – C21 Woolloongabba and Northside at the Brisbane Rape and Incest Survivors Support Centre (BRISSC). This position is available on a part-time fixed term contract from January to December 2021, at 52 hours per fortnight.

BRISSC Service Information

The Brisbane Rape and Incest Survivors Support Centre (BRISSC) provides a feminist support service which is committed to working towards ending sexual violence and supporting women and their allies affected by violence. 

The BRISSC Collective manages the operation of three funded sexual assault support and prevention programs that are located at Woolloongabba, Richlands and the North side of Brisbane.  The support services are available for women aged 15 years and over whose lives are impacted by sexual violence.

BRISSC provides the following services:

• Telephone support, information and referrals 
• Individual support
• Support group and workshops 
• Community education, training and development
• Library and community IT facilities
• Research and resource development
• Social action and advocacy

Position Summary

The Support and Group Worker’s position is to work directly with women who have experienced sexual violence and to facilitate the development of support group programs and workshops.

The Worker is expected to work collaboratively and supportively as a member of the BRISSC Collective which has responsibility for the day to day management of an effective, accountable, high quality service that reflects the philosophy, aims and objectives of the WCAA. All BRISSC workers are expected to exercise high level time management skills, demonstrate initiative and work autonomously where required, implement decisions relevant to areas of responsibility, engage in self-reflective practice and ensure accountability to the BRISSC collective and WCAA.

The role entails a high degree of self-management in delivering individual support and advocacy, and where required, co-facilitation of support groups/workshops within BRISSC or in collaboration with other services. Workers are expected to provide a high-quality service consistent with and which reflects the philosophy, aims and objectives of the WCAA.

All BRISSC workers are expected to demonstrate high-level time management skills and initiative, and to work autonomously where required; implement decisions relevant to areas of responsibility, engage in self- reflective practice and ensure accountability to the BRISSC collective and WCAA.

The worker is expected to engage in peer supervisory processes, performance reviews, negotiated external supervision and to be accountable for all aspects of their work at BRISSC.

Objective

This position will provide feminist best practice support and advocacy services to recent and historical survivors of sexual violence at Woolloongabba and Nundah offices.

Service Delivery Responsibilities

Support and Advocacy Work

• Provide support and advocacy to women who have experienced recent or historic sexual violence by telephone and/or face to face appointments using a feminist support framework
• Provide clear and accurate information about legal and medical processes and available options
• Provide support or advocacy if appropriate with the Police, Medical and Legal processes, should a woman decide to report
• Refer women to appropriate services (e.g. health workers, housing and support agencies) and provide accurate information about the nature of those services
• Provide information to those supporting women or children who have experienced sexual violence (e.g. friends, family, and service providers)
• Maintain the strictest confidentiality and security precautions at all times with regard to women and other workers
• Maintain service delivery in line with BRISSC policy and procedures

Group and Workshop Facilitation

• Co-facilitate support groups/workshops within BRISSC or in collaboration with other services as required
• Evaluate and prepare written reports on the outcomes and effectiveness of each support group conducted and the annual support group program

Information about BRISSC, the Position Description and the Selection Criteria for this position are detailed below.

BRISSC is a women’s only service and it is a genuine occupational requirement that workers be women (as permitted under Sections 25 and 104 of the Queensland Anti-Discrimination Act 1991).

If you require more information about the service, please have a look at our website www.brissc.org.au or call us on 3391 2573.