• Aboriginal Identified Position
• Permanent Full-time Hours
• Are you passionate about making a real difference in the lives of Aboriginal women and children?

About the opportunity

Join our vibrant, faith-based agency providing innovative social care services to children, young people, individuals and families in the Northern Metropolitan Sydney and on the Central Coast.

CatholicCare Diocese of Broken Bay is currently seeking a Domestic and Family Violence Specialist Workerwith an Aboriginal Focus to join theWomen’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service (WDVCAS) program, based at one of our Family Centres.

The WDVCAS program provides support, advocacy, referrals and information for women experiencingdomestic violence. This position will exercise a high degree of autonomy, providing advice and supportto promote the welfare of Aboriginal women and their children.

Responsibilities will include: 

• Accepting electronic and non-electronic referrals direct from government agencies and non-government services;
• Contacting Aboriginal clients referred to the WDVCAS in a timely and culturally sensitive manner, conducting a threat assessment to ascertain their current risk status and undertaking safety planning to address a client’s immediate safety needs;
• Providing relevant information and making warm referrals to a range of service providers to assist clients with their ongoing needs;

• Attending court on AVO list days and other days as required to provide information, assistance and court advocacy for WDVCAS clients and, in particular, Aboriginal women and children
• Developing and maintaining strong working relationships with key WDVCAS partners including the NSW Police Force, Local Courts, legal representatives and referral agencies, in order to facilitate client access to those agencies and services;
• Developing solid working relationships and referral networks with local services that respond to the particular needs of Aboriginal women and children, for example attending Aboriginal Health Services, Aboriginal Community Justice Groups and/or NSW Police Force Aboriginal Consultative Committee Meetings;
• Developing links with local Aboriginal communities to promote the services of the WDVCAS and encourage women to use the services of the WDVCAS, for example by facilitating women’s groups;
• As well as responsibilities set out in the attached Position Description.

About you

Aboriginality is a genuine occupational qualification of this position under s14 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 (NSW). We can therefore confirm that this position is an Aboriginal Identified position and only Aboriginal candidates are eligible to apply.

You may be required to provide confirmation that you are Aboriginal. This may include providing a cultural referee who can comment on your ability to develop and maintain relationships within Aboriginal communities.

In addition, to be considered for this role you will:

• Have sound understanding of domestic and family violence, its complexities and consequences, particularly as they affect Aboriginal women and children, and sensitivity to their needs
• Have knowledge and understanding of the criminal justice response to domestic and family violence including AVO applications and criminal prosecutions and related legal matters such as family law, care and protection, migration and victim’s compensation issues
• Have excellent communication skills and an ability to communicate sensitively and effectively with all clients, service partners and stakeholders
• Understand issues and challenges affecting Aboriginal people within the community and an ability to build relationships with local Aboriginal communities
• Have strong ethics and an understanding of professional boundaries
• Have an unrestricted driver’s licence
• As well as other requirements in the attached Position Description

Working with CatholicCare

CatholicCare offers a range of initiatives to actively promote your life/work balance and development of our employees through:

• Working for a not for profit organisation who strive for a world where people are safe, happy, well and connected with each other in inclusive communities
• Great training and learning opportunities to help further your career
• An Employee Assistance Program offering free and confidential counselling and support
• Salary packaging benefits to receive up to $15,900 of your salary tax-free, as well as additional meal and entertainment benefits

To apply

If you have strong relationship and engagement skills and want to work in a role that contributes to a society where women and children live free from violence, we want to hear from you!

Simply complete your work history & education information on the application page and submit your resume with a cover letter addressing which role you would like to apply for. You are welcome to include any certificates or licences in the education section to assist us in assessing your suitability for this role.

Apply Now!

CatholicCare is a child-safe and child-friendly organisation – all staff must comply with our child-safe child-friendly policies and Code of Conduct. All child related roles are subject to a satisfactory Working with Children Check Clearance in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Child Protection (Working with Children) Act 2012.

Completing a National Criminal History Record Check clearance is a requirement of this position

No recruitment agencies please.