Family Violence Practitioner - Homes First

About the Opportunity

Homes First is an innovative five-year program based across the Local Government Areas of Brimbank/Melton and Hume/Merri-Bek regions.

Homes First is one of a suite of programs to support people sleeping rough and experiencing persistent homelessness. Our support model includes allied health, specialist housing, assertive outreach, therapeutic supports, early intervention & prevention services, legal, education and employment support.

Based across MCM’s North Fitzroy and Braybrook offices, the Family Violence Practitioner is a maximum term contract role (3 years) within the Homes First program. The Practitioner is responsible for holding a caseload and contributing to day to day practice support and guidance, as well as contributing to secondary consult and capacity building for a range of multi-disciplinary workers.

The role, as part of a multidisciplinary support team, aims to provide intensive and holistic support to achieve housing stability and broader goals.  This includes providing referral support for people to deal with any barriers they are facing.

About you

We are looking for someone who can:

• Provide brief and longer-term targeted interventions including comprehensive risk and needs assessment, safety assessment and planning, housing, mental health, AOD use and legal support to a case load
• Promote and contribute to education and capacity building responses with victim-survivors and/or persons using violence who may present with a housing need, but not yet identify or recognise that they are experiencing/using family violence
• Provide secondary consultations to adult, housing, and multidisciplinary workers within Homes First and the Adult Homelessness portfolio that support people experiencing/using family violence and provide professional development and capacity building opportunities, including guidance on risk assessment, safety planning, MARAM and best practice.
• Contribute to an environment that will disrupt disadvantage for people through utilising a healing- oriented practice model that proactively responds to people who have experienced adverse childhood experiences.
• Contribute to the work with family violence, women’s and perpetrator services in collaborative practice to develop and maintain key stakeholder relationships.

Benefits of working with MCM include:

• Diverse and inclusive organisation
• Attractive Salary Packaging benefits
• Supportive learning and development environment
• Culture of continuous improvement

Essential:

• A bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Community Services or related fields with at least 4 years experience working with people that have experienced family violence.
• Clear knowledge of risk assessment, safety planning and the use of MARAM, particularly with adults
• A comprehensive understanding of current government family violence policy and demonstrated ability to participate effectively in sector reform and implement change.
• Sound theoretical practice in working with people experiencing homelessness and complex case management based on best practice and current theory.
• Ability to contribute to a multi-disciplinary team to create an innovative response that disrupts disadvantage and leads to sustainable housing first outcomes for people
• An understanding of the requirements for ensuring child safety. 
• Ability to build and maintain positive relationships and communicate with people of diverse backgrounds and abilities.

Screening Criteria:

• National Police check
• Working with Children Check or ability to obtain
• Valid Victorian Drivers licence
• Right to Work in Australia

Applications may close before the deadline of the 28th of April, so please apply early.  Please include your current resume and cover letter.
Please review the position description to understand more about the role and responsibilities.  If you have any needs throughout the recruitment process that have not already been catered for, we encourage you to contact recruitment@mcm.org.au to let us know how we can better support you to apply.

About MCM

MCM is an inclusive and equal opportunity employer with a strong commitment to safety. MCM embraces differences because we know that diversity and inclusion help us to attract, recruit, engage and retain talented people. 
We are a leading not-for profit-for-purpose organisation that offer a broad range of services in Disability, Homelessness, Palliative Care and Education.

Our commitment to Safety

MCM is committed to the safety of its clients and employees, taking a zero-tolerance approach to violence within the workplace and abuse, including child abuse and abuse of people with disability. All employees are required to comply with the Child Safe Standards.

Our commitment to Diversity, Inclusion & Equity of Access

At MCM we embrace our differences because we know that diversity helps us to innovate and make the biggest impact possible. Our DEI Strategy supports and drives an inclusive workplace culture. We embrace the learning opportunities that come with authentic commitment to equity of access for all. We particularly encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates to apply.