Weave Women and Children’s Centre Staying Home Leaving Violence (SHLV) Caseworker Position Description Position Title: Supervision: SHLV Caseworker Program supervision provided by The Weave Women and Children’s Centre Team Leader. Clinical Supervision provided externally as arranged by/negotiated with team leader Responsible For: Providing support, casework, case management, advocacy, information & referral for women residing in the Redfern Local Area Command, and City of Sydney and Marrickville LGA’s in relation to domestic violence and community education and information sessions. Location: Weave Women and Children’s Centre, 133 Morehead St, Waterloo Employment Details and Remuneration (standard) Employer: Weave Youth and Community Services Inc Hours of Work: 4 days per week, 28 hours per week Status: Permanent part time. There will be an initial 6 months probation period. All positions at Weave are dependant on continued funding. Grade: SCHCADS Level 4 Paypoint 1- 4 Salary: Hourly rate: $31.36 - $33.90 per hour Benefits: Hourly rate calculated based on 35 hour week and generous salary packaging is available. SHLV Caseworker 2015 1 Position Context Weave Women and Children’s Centre (Formerly The Shop Women and Girls Centre) has been operating in the Redfern/Waterloo area for over 30 years. In 2006 Weave Women and Children’s Centre became auspiced by Weave Youth and Community Services Inc (formerly known as South Sydney Youth Services) and is now managed by Weave’s Board and is bound by Weave’s policies and procedures. The Women and Children’s Centre offers support services, counselling, casework, groups and educational opportunities to women with children 0-12years. Weave Youth and Community Services Weave provides a range of services to socially excluded young people, women and families who live in the City of Sydney Local Government Area as well as the Maroubra/La Perouse and Inner West regions. Weave was established in 1976. The team at Weave are dedicated, experienced and are well recognised for their engaging work with young people, Aboriginal communities, women and families and community development work. Please refer to our Vision, Mission, Values and Culture at the end of this document. For more information about Weave please visit our website: www.weave.org.au Summary of the Position Coordination, in collaboration with other SHLV worker and Team Leader, of service provision for the Weave’s SHLV program. Providing case management for women residing in the Redfern Local Area Command, and City of Sydney and Marrickville LGA’s who are experiencing domestic violence. Supporting them to remain safely in their home or a home of their choice. Providing support, advocacy, information & referral with issues that may include: Housing Court Support Legal Matters Drug & Alcohol Health Parenting Support Education & Employment Centrelink Counselling Practical support In addition to this, the SHLV Caseworker is responsible for providing community education and information sessions about the SHLV program, liaison with key stakeholders and partners, participating in the Redfern WDVCAS and Inner City Domestic Violence Interagency as well as coordinating and participating in the SHLV Reference group. SHLV Caseworker 2015 2 In conjunction with Women and Children’s Centre team leader ensure the Family and Community Services (FACS) Service Delivery Specifications (SDS) and Performance Level Agreement (PLA) targets for the SHLV program are met. The SDS and PLA attachments form part of this job description. Responsibilities Case Management • In conjunction with the other SHLV caseworker, provide case management support for at least 40 women per year experiencing domestic violence (case allocation dependent on level of intensity and number of weekly working hours) • Conduct lethality risk assessments, safety audits and devise safety plans with clients. • Assess and approve brokerage expenditure to provide security upgrades for clients. • Organise safety upgrades to clients’ homes as necessary through SHLV brokerage funds. • Support clients while making statements to police and during court proceedings. • Assist clients to identify areas of need and provide appropriate support, referral, information and advocacy within an individual casework plan. This requires knowledge of social and community welfare services in particular public housing, crisis accommodation, domestic violence support and advocacy including knowledge of Apprehended Violence Orders legislation and the new Domestic Violence Framework. • Work in a highly responsive, proactive and innovative way with service users. • Develop collaborative relationships with other service providers to ensure holistic support for service users. In particular, work closely with the other SHLV Caseworker and Weave Women and Children’s Centre staff. • Provide outreach service provision and home visits in line with service policies and procedures. • Case Coordination for a small group of clients is also part of the role. SHLV Caseworker 2015 3 Community Education and Information Sessions • Plan and deliver at least 6 community education and information sessions per year about the Staying Home Leaving Violence Program. Administrative Duties • Ensure compliance with service funding agreement, service specifications and statistical data collection requirements • Participate in service evaluation in line with service specification requirements using FACS SHLV data portal and Weave’s Client database, DEREK. • Report writing for both internal and external purposes • Facilitate community awareness raising/education program regarding SHLV principles. • Develop and distribute publicity material for the program. • Advocate to ensure that case management agreements with partner agencies are implemented • Coordinate and attend Staying Home Leaving Violence Reference Group meetings and attend Women’s Domestic Violence Interagency Meetings. • Keep abreast of current resources and developments in relation to domestic violence, statutory requirements, legislation and women’s issues in general. Identify professional training and development needs in consultation with Team Leader and undertake training within budget constraints. • Carry out any administrative or clerical tasks as required within the course of the work including upkeep of electronic casework files, database, daily client statistics, ensuring minutes and other documentation relating to the SHLV reference group meetings is completed and distributed. • Performance of other duties as required and directed by the team leader. SHLV Caseworker 2015 4 General Accountabilities of all Weave Staff • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Work as part of the wider Women’s Centre and Weave team displaying effective team membership Participate in the Women and Children’s Centre and Weave staff meetings, training and performance appraisals as required Attend regular supervision as arranged with your team leader. Perform all duties in accordance with the Weave code of conduct and Weave policies and procedures Maintain a commitment to continuous quality improvement and contribution to maintenance of Weave’s accreditation under ASES standards. Maintain a commitment to EEO policy and WH&S safety standards, ethical practice principles and a commitment to the principles of cultural diversity. Ensure work practice is underpinned by Weave’s Mission, Vision, Values , Principles and Objectives. Take responsibility to ensure that Weave Women and Children’s Centre is a warm, inviting and hospitable environment for everyone to be in. Treat people like you would if they came to your home. Notice when things are untidy and make an effort to clean up as needed. Make sure all visitors to the centre are welcomed and looked after including offering cups of tea, coffee, water etc. and that they get the assistance they came for or at least information and referral if Weave Women’s Centre cannot assist directly. Hospitality is a shared responsibility of the whole of Women’s Centre team and is included in the job descriptions of all staff. It is important to take care to listen very carefully to what people are asking for and not make assumptions about their needs, it is equally important to welcome all people to the centre, even those that clearly don’t fit in our target group. If someone has made an appointment to see a particular worker you need to make sure that you accompany the person to the worker and ensure they are connected. If the worker is not in the office, call them on their mobile to organize something for the client. Whilst it is understood that each worker has specific duties, there is a natural overlap of roles. Expectations of workers roles can change according to the needs of the community and available resources. SELECTION CRITERIA Essential Criteria • Relevant qualifications in Social Work, Community Work or other relevant discipline and/or equivalent relevant experience. • Experience in using a strengths-based framework in the provision of assessment, casework and case management support to women experiencing domestic violence. SHLV Caseworker 2015 5 • Knowledge and understanding of the legal system in relation to domestic violence • Demonstrated skills in building community connections and interagency relationships • Excellent written and oral communication skills. • Good understanding of social justice issues in general and particularly those facing women who live in the Redfern/Waterloo/Inner Sydney and Inner West areas. • Understanding of issues affecting Aboriginal Women. • Understanding of issues affecting CALD Women. • Demonstrated skills and knowledge in provision of parenting support, particularly in relation to the impact of domestic violence on children. • A commitment to EEO policy, OH&S safety standards, ethical practice principles and a commitment to the principles of cultural diversity. • NSW Working With Children Check clearance. • Ability to work in a flexible and adaptable manner under stress. • Excellent sense of humour. • Ability to work effectively as part of a team, and to support other team members in their work from time to time. • Current NSW Class C driver’s license. • Computer literacy. • Willingness to use own vehicle for work purposes from time to time (mileage will be paid) Desirable Criteria • Groupwork skills SHLV Caseworker 2015 6 Weave’s Vision, Mission, Culture and Values What we see for the future: Our Vision A strong, connected community that values its members with opportunities and justice for all. What we are here to do: Our Mission Statement To support young people, families and communities to value each other and create opportunities to realise their goals and dreams How we describe ourselves: Our Culture • • • • • • • • • • We value and respect the traditional owners of the land and acknowledge their struggle. Our work is underpinned by social justice principles. We are holistic in our approach We value genuine, authentic, transparent, client-centred work practices We work with passion, energy, creativity and commitment We highly value and appreciate collaboration and partnerships with team members and other services Our work is informed by an understanding of the politics of power We understand complex social issues and we work in creative and flexible ways to address them We know that practical and timely intervention can have important long-term meaningful value We embrace diversity What is true and important to us: Our Values Integrity – We work ethically at all times and are transparent in our practice Respect –We value and respect our service users, community members, partners and coworkers and treat people as individuals. Good practice – Our work is informed by relevant and current practice models and we review and evaluate constantly. Optimism and a sense of humour Fairness and Justice – We challenge injustice at every level and work with others towards a more just society Sustainability – Sustainable practice underpins our work on an individual, community www.weave.org.au SHLV Caseworker 2015 7
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