Specialist Family Violence Practitioner

Why this role truly matters

The Salvation Army (Salvos) provides a wide range of services that support women and women with children impacted by family and domestic violence. We offer accommodation, counselling, support, behavioural programs, and advice to women and children at risk of, experiencing or escaping family violence. Our services focus on prevention, restoration, and healing to provide specialised support to address immediate safety issues and provide advice, referrals, and connection to assist the recovery journey.

Through safe accommodation, trauma-informed counselling, specialist case management, and practical support, we create the conditions for safety, healing and long‑term stability for victim survivors of family and domestic violence.

About the role

As a Specialist Family Violence Practitioner for our Short Term Refuge program, you will provide expert, trauma‑informed crisis case management to women and children experiencing family violence during their refuge stay.

This role suits an experienced practitioner skilled in family violence, child safety, risk assessment and systems navigation, working intensively to manage immediate risk, strengthen safety, and support transitions to stable, long‑term housing and supports in line with National Family Violence Model of Care and Victorian practice frameworks.

This is a permanent full-time position, where you will be supported by an experienced Team Leader, based in Coburg North, Victoria.

How you will make an impact

• Build strong, respectful and empowering relationships that centre the voice, safety and self‑determination of women and children
• Deliver specialist family violence crisis case management within a short‑term refuge environment
• Conduct comprehensive and ongoing risk, needs and safety assessments for adult and child victim survivors
• Co‑develop and implement client‑led case plans, supporting progress toward safety, stability and independence
• Provide advocacy and coordinated referrals across housing, legal, health and community services

About you

You are an experienced, motivated practitioner who is confident working in high‑risk, high‑impact environments. You bring professional judgement, empathy, and resilience. You believe in the right for those impacted to live free from violence. Your experience working within refuge or crisis accommodation settings will be highly regarded.

You will bring

• Tertiary qualification in Social Work (essential)
• Qualifications aligned with Mandatory Minimum Qualification Requirements for Specialist Family Violence Workers (Recommendation 209)
• Demonstrated experience in family violence case management, crisis response and/or child wellbeing
• Strong assessment, case planning and risk management skills
• Ability to work autonomously while collaborating effectively within a multidisciplinary team
• Exceptional time management, prioritisation and professional documentation skills
• A current Victorian Driver's Licence and an Employee Working with Children Check

What we offer

At The Salvos, we know that sustainable impact starts with supporting our people. We offer:

• Salary packaging benefits up to $15,900 tax‑free + $2,650 meal entertainment
• Generous paid parental leave (12 weeks primary & secondary carers)
• Purchased Leave Scheme (up to 8 weeks per year)
• 5 paid days annually to experience other Salvation Army programs
• Access to EAP, wellbeing initiatives and Fitness Passport
• Ongoing training, supervision and professional development
• A genuinely rewarding, purpose‑driven career where your expertise changes lives

Conditions

Remuneration will be in accordance with the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Award - Level 5.

How to apply

If you are an experienced family violence practitioner ready to use your skills where they matter most, we would love to hear from you.

Please submit your resume and cover letter, outlining how your experience aligns with this role.

Together, we can create safety, hope and lasting change.

Applications will close as soon as a suitable candidate is appointed.

The Salvation Army is an Equal Opportunity Employer who provides an inclusive work environment and embraces the diverse talent of its people. We value people of all cultures, languages, capacities, sexual orientations, gender identities and/or expressions. We are committed to achieving a diverse workforce and strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islander people.

The Salvation Army is a child safe organisation and is committed to protecting children and young people from harm. All child facing roles will require the successful completion of a Working with Children Check. Applicants for all roles require a mandatory Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check.

We value Integrity, Compassion, Respect, Diversity, and Collaboration