• SR0224
• Location: Unit 1 & 6/184 Salmon Street Hastings, VIC, 3915, Australia
• Base Pay: $93,860.00 / Year
• Job Category: Family Violence
• Employee Type: Max Term Part Time

Contact information

• Contact Name People & Capability
• Contact Phone (03) 9495 9600
• Contact [email protected] using the subject line: Family Violence Peer Support Facilitator enquiry via EthicalJobs

About this role

• Hastings location / Hybrid role with travel across the Bayside Peninsula area
• Part Time, Max Term contract until November 2024

The Peer Support Practitioner facilitates Good Shepherd’s peer support program, including group work and individual support for women who have experienced family violence. This intervention aims to assist clients to rebuild confidence and self-esteem, promote self-efficacy and minimise social isolation. The peer support groups will promote healing and recovery for women who have experienced family violence by providing an invitation for social connection, shared experience and meaning making within a safe environment.  It is anticipated that some of these groups and support will be offered outside of normal business hours and on weekends.  Alongside the group work will be individualised support to ensure that the safety and support needs of each individual are met. In addition to facilitation of the groups the Peer Support Practitioners will establish referral pathways, develop program curriculum and promotional resources and provide individual support pre and post the Group.  The Peer Support Practitioner will work in line with MARAM, the Crisis Response Model, and the Case Management Program Requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Facilitate high quality trauma informed peer support and group work to women who have experienced family violence, including those that present with complex needs.
• Participate in the development of the peer support program, including contributing to content of the group sessions.
• Provide follow up individual support to women as required in between group sessions to support and promote healing and recovery and address any presenting additional needs. Refer to other programs and services where required.
• Work within the MARAM framework, including information sharing schemes to promote healing and recovery for victim survivors of family violence.
• Brief risk assessment and safety planning with victim survivors as required as part of their engagement in the peer support program.
• Use evidence-based practices and approaches and relevant theories and frameworks to respond to victim survivors of family violence.
• Conduct a comprehensive readiness assessment focusing on safety and needs with the referred client/s to determine the suitability of the service to their needs. Refer to a more suitable program, where required.
• Ongoing assessment of client’s capacity and appropriateness to participate in group work.
• Maintain up-to-date high quality comprehensive and accurate client case files.
• Complete data collection requirements in accordance with program requirements, confidentiality, and privacy legislation and DFFH registration standards.
• Ensure all relevant documentation is uploaded to the database systems in accordance with policies and procedures and program requirements.
• Attend meetings as required and ensure participation in activities connected to Good Shepherd and the family violence program.
• Liaise with workers in the family violence and community sectors, building effective networks and collaborative partnerships.
• Participate in local networks to share information and identify opportunities to work collaboratively
• Participate in the evaluation of the program.
• Other duties consistent with the position as required and/or requested by the Team Leader.

About you

• Formal qualifications in psychology, counselling, family therapy, social work or equivalent demonstrated experience
• Demonstrated experience working with women who have experienced family violence.
• Demonstrated understanding of the impacts of family violence on women.
• Demonstrated understanding and experience in trauma-informed practice
• Demonstrated experience facilitating and delivering group work.
• An understanding of the supports and referral pathways available to women and their families.
• MARAM training
• A current Employee Working with Children’s Check (WWCC)
• Registration with an appropriate professional body e.g. ACA, PACFA, AASW, AHPRA is highly desirable
• People with lived experience are encouraged to apply.
• Experience completing family violence risk assessment and developing safety plans.

Key Selection Criteria

• Demonstrated experience working with women who have experienced family violence, including a thorough understanding of the impacts of family violence on women.
• Demonstrated experience and skills in facilitating peer and/or group work.
• Demonstrated understanding and experience in trauma-informed practice.
• Demonstrated experience engaging clients in an intake and assessment process to identify support needs.
• Demonstrated experience in preparing and maintaining professional case records.
• Excellent organisational, interpersonal, time management and communication skills.

About Good Shepherd Australia New Zealand (GSANZ)

Our 2023-2027 strategy outlines the world we want to see and our role in advancing it. We aspire for all women, girls, and families to be safe, well, strong, and connected. We strive for equity, dignity and social justice for women, girls and families by collaborating globally and acting locally, supporting our communities in Australia and New Zealand to thrive.

We want women, girls and families to live full and dignified lives, have dignified income and enjoy financial wellbeing.  We aim to provide place-based, people-centred, holistic services while working at the system level to achieve bold and audacious reform. We currently offer microfinance programs and products, financial counselling and coaching, family and domestic violence support services, family and youth programs, playgroups, education programs and community houses. These services are complemented by research and strong advocacy to address the underlying structural causes of injustice, exclusion, and inequality.

Good Shepherd employees are committed to inclusive practice that responds to the specific needs, context, and circumstances of service participants. We embrace the diversity and intersectionality of individuals and recognise a person’s right to a unique identity comprising culture, language, ability, community, gender, sex, sexual orientation and lived experience.

Additional Information

Employment is subject to:

• Relevant Qualifications/Registration Name
• A current national Police Record Check
• A current Employee Working with Children Check (WWCC) or state equivalent
• Proof of the right to work in Australia

 The above requirements will need to be supplied and verified prior to commencement 

Work Health and Safety (WH&S): All team members are required to carry out their duties in a manner that does not adversely affect their own health and safety and that of others by reporting all incidents and injuries as well as cooperating with any measures introduced in the workplace to improve WH&S.

Pre-existing injury: The person appointed to this position will be required to disclose any pre-existing injuries or disease that might be affected by employment in this position. This will assist the organisation in providing a safe work environment.

Equal opportunity: Good Shepherd is an equal opportunity employer. We recognise the rich diversity of people across Australia. We are committed to ensuring that our team is reflective of the diverse community we serve and to supporting a culture of equity, inclusion and diversity. All team members have a responsibility to be familiar with and adhere to the organisation’s policies and procedures.

Child Safe Employer: Good Shepherd Australia New Zealand is a Child Safe employer. Employment is subject to satisfactory referee checks, a current employment working with Children Check, National Criminal History check and proof of the right to work in Australia.

Cultural competency: Good Shepherd strives to maintain a culturally competent and inclusive workplace. All team members are expected to undergo cultural competence training as part of their professional development plans.