Job Description

First Response Case Worker | Domestic and Family Violence | Chermside

• Employment Term: Permanent full-time

• Location: Chermside

• Remuneration: $100k + super + NFP salary packaging of up to $15,900 and $2,650 for meals and entertainment

Please make sure you read this job listing in its entirety, as it contains important information necessary for consideration for the role.

To be considered for this role, you must submit a resume, cover letter, and a separate response to the Key Selection Criteria. Applications this will not be shortlisted.

ABOUT THE ROLE

We are seeking an experienced First Response Case Worker to provide crisis and case management support to women and children residing in refuge after experiencing domestic and family violence.

This is a specialist role within a refuge setting. It requires direct experience working with women and children experiencing domestic and family violence, crisis, trauma, and housing instability. The role involves intensive support, risk assessment, safety planning, advocacy, documentation, and collaboration within a fast-paced service environment.

Key responsibilities include:

• Providing crisis response and case management support to women and children in refuge

• Undertaking risk assessment and safety planning

• Providing practical and emotional support in response to immediate and ongoing needs

• Supporting access to housing, health, legal, financial, and child-focused services

• Maintaining accurate and timely case notes and client documentation

• Working collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team

This role is not suitable for applicants without relevant direct practice experience.

This role will suit you if you:

• Have direct experience working with women and children impacted by domestic and family violence, crisis, or homelessness

• Understand the realities of refuge or supported accommodation practice

• Are confident balancing client support, risk, documentation, and service expectations

• Can work calmly and professionally in a high-demand environment

• Have completed relevant tertiary qualification in a human services field

• Hold a current Queensland Driver Licence

• Hold a current Working with Children Check (Blue Card or eligibility to obtain)

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).

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

This role requires specific experience and qualifications. As such, we can only assess applications that include a resume, cover letter, and responses to each selection criterion. Applications that do not meet these requirements will not be shortlisted.

Applicants must provide a written response addressing EACH of the following:

1. Relevant tertiary qualifications and practical experience working with children and families, including any experience in homelessness, refuge, or supported accommodation settings

2. Knowledge and understanding of the effects of domestic and family violence, crisis, and homelessness on women and children, and the ability to respond effectively

3.Demonstrated ability to provide both practical and emotional support to women and children, with an understanding of family interaction and child development Interpersonal and communication skills consistent with strengths-based approaches and ethical practice frameworks

4.Demonstrated professional integrity in relation to confidentiality, professional boundaries, and the best interests of the child

5.Ability to maintain appropriate client records and sound computer skills relevant to case management and reporting

6.Proven ability to work cooperatively within a multidisciplinary team in a complex human services environment

7.Ability to work within the mission, values, and policies of UnitingCare and adhere to Workplace Health and Safety requirements and other relevant legislation

For further information, contact Brianne Dwyer on 0458 039 108

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

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.