RESPONSIBILITIES OF THIS ROLE 

The work of the DFV Specialist Focus Worker includes, but is not limited to, the following duties: 

• Accepting electronic referrals from the DFV Connect and non-electronic referrals direct from government agencies and non-government services. 

• Contacting clients referred to the WDVCAS in a timely manner, conducting a threat assessment to ascertain their current risk status and undertaking safety planning to address a client’s immediate safety needs; 

• Liaising with the Safety Action Meeting ( SAM )  Coordinator  to ensure all clients assessed as ‘at serious threat’ are placed on the agenda for the next SAM . 

• Addressing the safety and well being of children and young people through child -aware practices during intake, risk assessment, and safety planning and making referrals as required.  

• Providing relevant information and making warm referrals to a range of service providers to assist clients with their ongoing needs; 

• Liaising with clients in relation to Safety Action Plans developed at SAMs and/or support provided, or arranged, by the WDVCASs; 

• Attending court on AVO list days and other days as required, in particular, mentions, hearings, criminal charge matters, to provide information, assistance, referral and court advocacy for WDVCAS clients and in particular women with a disability, women who identify as LGBTIQ+, women from linguistically, culturally , religiously and or racially diverse backgrounds , women over 65 and children, as directed by the WDVCAS Manager; 

• Developing and maintaining strong working relationships with key WDVCAS partners including the NSW Police Force, Local Courts, legal representatives and referral agencies, in order to facilitate client access to those agencies and services; 

• Complying with the SAM Manual and the Domestic Violence Information Sharing Protocol; 

• Fulfilling reporting requirements for DFV Connect and performance reports in line with the WDVCAS Service Agreement and the WDVCAS Policy and Procedure Manual and Sam Manual. 

• Assisting the SAM Coordinator to develop and administer policies, systems and processes for the effective operation of the WDVCAS and SAMs;  

• In consultation with the Manager, attending SAMs to ensure and contribute to culturally safe and responsive service provision at SAMs.  

• Developing solid working relationships and referral networks with local services that respond to the particular needs of women from linguistically, culturally , religiously and or racially diverse backgrounds ., for example attending DFV Local Committees, Interagency meetings and workshops.  

• Providing high level expert advice and assist the Manager to develop and implement strategies aimed at making WDVCAS services relevant, accessible and responsive to the needs to women from linguistically, culturally , religiously and or racially diverse backgrounds .

• Providing advice to the Manager about local issues affecting to women from linguistically, culturally , religiously and or racially diverse backgrounds , and access to WDVCAS services and legal processes. 

• Participating in relevant community development activities.  

• Contributing to the preparation of appropriate resource and referral materials for the service. 

• Attending relevant professional development activities, training and team meetings – which may require travel at times. 

• Attending regular supervision, internal and external. 

• Attending Performance Reviews as scheduled by service. 

• Representing the Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service in a positive and professional manner