Domestic Violence After Hours Practitioner | Domestic Violence Refuge |Chermside

• Employment Term: Casual
• Location: Chermside
• Remuneration: $58.38 per hour + Super + NFP Packaging

Take a moment to read this job listing closely, as it contains key details for your application. To apply, please send your resume, a cover letter, and a separate response to the Key Selection Criteria. We can only consider complete applications.

Make a meaningful difference with UnitingCare

At UnitingCare we are leaders in crisis response, the protection of vulnerable people and children, financial resilience and family wellbeing. Our FaDS (Family and Disability Services) team work passionately across Queensland to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. 

As a Domestic Violence After Hours Practitioner you’ll be encouraged to grow, develop and feel empowered to make the everyday easier for the people we care so passionately about.  Let’s make a meaningful difference, together! 

Your part in our UnitingCare team   

We are looking for someone who is passionate about making a positive impact, especially for women and children in our Domestic and Family Violence Refuges. In this role, you will provide after-hours support to help keep everyone safe and well, respond to crises, conduct intakes, assess risk, and help keep the refuge running smoothly.

Key responsibilities include:

• Assessing immediate safety during domestic violence crises.
• Completing refuge intakes and risk assessments.
• Developing safety plans with residents.
• Offering emotional and practical support.
• Managing after-hours calls and liaising with agencies like Queensland Police and Child Safety.
• Documenting case notes and responding to emergencies.
• Working independently while communicating with on-call leadership.

This is a 24 hour on call service, with a physical onsite 4-hour shift (4-8pm weeknights, 9am-1pm weekends) in addition to the on-call component. We need someone who stays calm under pressure, makes confident decisions, and cares deeply about helping others with a trauma-informed approach. You must be available for evening, weekend, and public holiday shifts.

GENDER REQUIREMENT

Due to the nature of service delivery, female representation is required. This is a genuine occupational requirement under Section 31 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1997 (Qld).

What makes a difference for us?

• Understanding of Domestic and Family Violence, including coercive control.
• Confidence in making independent decisions in crisis situations.
• Skills in risk assessment, safety planning, and crisis intervention.
• Strong written communication and documentation abilities.
• Capacity to build respectful relationships with women and children while maintaining boundaries.
• Organisational skills to prioritise competing demands.
• Proficiency in electronic client management systems and Microsoft Office.
• Commitment to continuous learning and collaboration within a team.
• A relevant tertiary qualification (or progress towards one) in Human Services, Social Work, Psychology, Behavioural Science, or a related discipline, or equivalent experience.
• A current Queensland Driver Licence.
• A current Blue Card (Working with Children Check) or the ability to obtain one.
• Reliable internet access for on-call work.
• Availability to work evenings and weekends, as well as participate in an on-call roster.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

This role needs certain experience and qualifications. Please send your resume, cover letter, and written responses to the selection criteria below. We can only consider complete applications. Please answer each of the following points in writing:

• Knowledge and understanding of the effects of domestic and family violence on women and children and the ability to respond effectively.
• A demonstrated skill in providing both practical and emotional support to women and children that displays an understanding of family interaction and child development (including developmentally appropriate activities).
• Demonstrated understanding and ability to undertake thorough risk assessments, particularly in relation to domestic violence, and undertake safety planning.
• Demonstrated ability to participate as a member of a team with an ability to maintain appropriate records and communication that ensure continuity of client case management.
• Demonstrated capacity to develop respectful relationships with women and children and the ability to assist them to mobilise their strengths and resources to achieve positive outcomes.
• Ability to work under pressure and manage crises effectively
• Ability to work within the beliefs, mission, values and policies of UnitingCare Community and adhere to the provisions of the Workplace Health and Safety and other relevant Legislation as they apply to the region's services

For further information, contact Debbie Bruford on 0413 122 361.

What makes a difference for you?

• Flexible work arrangements to support work-life balance 

• NFP Salary Packaging: Save tax and increase your take home pay by salary packaging your everyday living expenses and bills (up to $15,900) and meal entertainment (up to $2,650) per annum. To learn more about this benefit watch the video via the following link: Salary Packaging Explained  

• A recognition and rewards platform, providing employee discounts at hundreds of retailers, including everyday expenses, holidays, health insurance, annual awards celebration, wellbeing and employee assistance programs  

• 12 weeks paid parental leave and 2 weeks paid partner leave, available after 6 months service, in addition to the government scheme  

• Diversity and inclusive leave, offering paid gender affirmation leave and cultural leave options (paid and unpaid) for those who may celebrate Lunar New Year, Diwali, Ramadan, NAIDOC weeks and other significant cultural events  

• Career development opportunities to challenge yourself, grow and make a meaningful difference   

• A positive and inclusive team based on respect, shared standards, strong values and a commitment to serving others 

We’d love you to be part of our UnitingCare family  

Joining our FaDS, team, you’ll also be welcomed as part of the UnitingCare family. The second-largest Queensland employer, we’re a proud not-for-profit with more than 16,500 staff and 9,000 volunteers across our brands of BlueCare, Lifeline, ARRCS, The Wesley Hospital, Buderim Private Hospital, St Stephen’s Hospital, and St Andrew’s War Memorial Hospital, and have been leading by example for more than 100 years.  

Child safe, Child friendly 

UnitingCare is committed to being a Child Safe, Child Friendly organisation and will:  

• provide welcoming, safe and nurturing services for children  

• implement measures to prevent child abuse and neglect within our services 

• appropriately and immediately address child abuse and neglect if it does occur 

• abide by the Child Safe Standards and adhere to the Reportable Conduct Scheme  

Diversity & Inclusion   

Our approach is simple – everybody is welcome here.  At UnitingCare, diversity is at the core of our who we are, our mission and our values. We are committed to providing equal opportunities to all employees no matter their sex, race, culture, sexual orientation, disability or gender identity. Demonstrating our commitment to reconciliation and building long-term employment opportunities for First Nations peoples, UnitingCare strongly encourages Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants for this position.    

Safe workplace   

We work hard to make our services welcoming and safe for every person. We are united in keeping children, young people and the elderly safe from harm, within our services, workplaces and the communities we support. We are committed to speaking up loudly for their safety.   

Commitment to Safeguarding

We are committed in creating services and workplaces that are welcoming and safe for every person. We work together to protect children, young people, adults and the elderly from harm within our services and the communities we support. We speak up for their safety to ensure their voices are heard. Our recruitment and workplace practices reflect our dedication in preventing abuse, harm and exploitation across UnitingCare.