Social Worker

Exciting opportunity for an experienced social worker to join our team providing support to women and non-binary people who are victim-survivors of family violence.

Womens Legal Service Victoria Melbourne CBD Immediate start Hybrid working model Full time or Part time negotiable (minimum 0.8 FTE) Ongoing

• Be a part of a feminist community legal service supporting Victorian women and non-binary people.
• Your expertise will directly contribute to building a more gender-equitable society.
• Competitive remuneration 5 weeks annual leave and flexible work arrangements.

About Us

For over 40 years Womens Legal Service Victoria (Womens Legal) has championed womens rights to live free from violence. We are a dedicated team with a passion for working with women and non-binary people to live free from violence and discrimination by:

• Providing high quality integrated legal services for Victorian women and non-binary people who are victim-survivors of family violence and disadvantagedor marginalised by structural and systemic barriers.
• Building the capacity of professionals who work with women and non-binary people to better understandthe law and navigate the legal system safely.
• Advancing gender equality by challenging unsafe and discriminatory policies andlaws and informing and advocating for legal and policy initiatives that respect andpromote the rights of women and non-binary people.

About the Role

The social worker will collaborate with our lawyers and financial counsellors in an integrated model to assist women and non-binary people who are experiencing family violence. Our social workers support clients and their children in responding to legal and non-legal barriers on their pathway to recovery with a focus on safety and risk management and accessing local services and resources.

• Family Violence risk assessment and risk management using MARAM framework
• Safety planning and strategic case planning with lawyers
• Case management to achieve the best possible outcomes
• Outreach support at court with police and other locations

About You

You are a skilled and compassionate social worker with a strong understanding of family violence trauma and risk management. You work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team to support women and non-binary people navigating legal and non-legal challenges focusing on safety advocacy and access to essential services. With excellent communication and case management skills you build trust with clients and external partners to drive meaningful change. You are committed to an intersectional feminist approach; and are passionate about addressing systemic barriers to safety and housing stability for women.

Key to your success is your:

• Knowledge of family violence dynamics risk assessment frameworks legal processes and community resources
• Enthusiasm for integrated practice collaboration in working relationships with other staff and external stakeholders
• A deep understanding of the trauma victim-survivors experience and the capacity to work with complex client presentations in a non-judgemental manner
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills with the demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with a diverse range of staff clients external stakeholders and organisations
• Ability to identify systemic barriers and interest in working towards systemic change in legislation policy and practice

You will:

• Hold a Bachelor of Social Work (with eligibility for membership to AASW) or equivalent qualifications
• Have a minimum of 3 years experience in working with a diverse range of women who have experienced family violence including provision of risk and needs assessment safety planning crisis support case management advocacy and referrals
• Completed MARAM Brief and Intermediate.

Why Womens Legal

In return for your dedication we offer:

• Competitive remuneration
• 5 weeks annual leave plus bonus leave between Christmas and New Year!
• Paid parental leave and reproductive health leave
• Cultural leave
• A strong commitment to your professional development personal development and wellbeing
• A hybrid working model and a flexible working environment that supports work/non-work balance
• NFP salary packaging benefits (up to $15900 in tax-free pay every year) plus meal and entertainment benefits (up to $2650 tax-free pay per year)
• Fresh fruit available in the office
• Access to our Employee Assistance Program

To apply

Submit a resume and covering letter to tell us how you are the right candidate for this role. Please ensure the cover letter addresses how you personally align to Womens Legal values as described in the attached position description.

Research shows that women are less likely to apply for roles if they dont meet 100% of the selection criteria. We encourage you to apply even if you dont meet all the criteria but this role sounds like a good fit for you.

All successful candidates will be required to produce a national criminal history check prior to the commencement of their employment.

Disclosure of a criminal record does not necessarily preclude appointment by Womens Legal but if needed we invite applicants to address this issue early in the application phase. Should a criminal record disclosure be advised by a candidate Womens Legal will endeavour to provide clarity over whether the conviction would preclude a candidate from being able to carry out the position duties.

Please note all staff employed by Womens Legal Service Victoria are required to comply with Section 121 of the Legal Profession Uniform Law.

Enquiries

Enquiries can be emailed to Ruth McKendrick HR Officer at

Equal Opportunity Employer

We recognise our work benefits greatly from the unique knowledge skills and expertise of individuals with diverse experiences including people who are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander with disability with lived experience of family and sexual violence and from migrant refugee culturally and racially marginalised backgrounds.

If this is you we strongly encourage you to apply.

Womens Legal relies on an exception under the Equal Opportunity Act to employ women only.