Blue Mountains Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service (BMWDVCAS)

BMWDVCAS Safety Action Meeting (SAM) Coordinator

Blue Mountains and Hawkesbury LAC

Job Description

Title: Blue Mountains Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service (BMWDVCAS) Safety Action Meeting (SAM) Coordinator

Award:Social and Community Home Care and Disability Services (SCHADS) Award.

Position Classification:Level 6 (SCHADS)

Hours:35 hours.

Position Status:Permanent.

Location:Main BMWDCVAS office is located in Lithgow. Sometime may also be spent in Bathurst and/or Mudgee for SAM meetings.
Service Provider: Blue Mountains Women's Health and Resource Centre (BMWHRC).

Accountability:To the Coordinator of the Blue Mountains WDVCAS.

The Safety Action Meeting Coordinator provides advice and recommendations to the WDVCAS Service Provider(BMWHRC) Management Committeevia the WDVCAS Coordinator in relation to Local Coordination Point and Safety Action Meeting operation.

Probationary Employment:

  • Please note this appointment is subject to a six month probationary period and a minimum employment period in accordance with the Fair Work Act.
  • During this period either party may terminate this contract by providing one week’s notice to the other party.

The BMWHRC considers being a woman a genuine occupational qualification for this position under Section 31 of the Anti-Discrimination Act.

1 / Job Description – Safety Action Meeting Coordinator –BMWDVCAS– 19th December 2017.

Summary of the Role:

  • The Safety Action Meeting Coordinator is responsible to the WDVCAS Coordinator for the day to day management of Local Coordination Point responsibilities. The Safety Action Meeting Coordinator works in partnership with the Intake and Referral Officer (IRO) and other WDVCAS workers to provide clients with an effective, streamlined service.

Specific duties:

The Safety Action Meeting Coordinator exercises a degree of autonomy and provides high-level expert advice to the WDVCAS Coordinator. The work includes but is not limited to, the following duties:

  • Coordinating and monitoring Safety Action Meetings in the LCP area. This includes secretariat support for the Safety Action Meetings, such as developing agendas and recording actions agreed and safety action plans, to ensure a timely response to victims at serious threat of injury or death in line with the Safety Action Meeting Practice Manual;
  • Complying with the Safety Action Meeting Practice Manual and the Domestic and Family Violence Information Sharing Protocol;
  • Ensuring timely feedback to the Central Referral Point about victims referred to the Local Coordination Point;
  • Liaising with victims in relation to safety action plans developed at Safety Action Meetings and / or appropriate support provided, or arranged, by the Local Coordination Point;
  • Following up with Safety Action Meeting members regarding actions agreed as needed;
  • Assisting the WDVCAS to comply with reporting and other requirements under the WDVCAS Service Agreement, WDVCAP Principles, Policies and Standards and other operational documents in relation to Local Coordination Point responsibilities;
  • In conjunction with the WDVCAS Coordinator, developing and administering policies, systems and processes for the effective operation of the Local Coordination Point and Safety Action Meetings. These must include consideration of the collection, use and storage of client information; conflicts of interest; client confidentiality; referrals to and from the WDVCAS; client and worker safety;and child protection notifications;
  • Contributing to the development and implementation of strategic plans aimed at ensuring the effectiveness of the WDVCAS and compliance with the WDVCAP Policies, Procedures and Standards;
  • Developing and maintaining strong working relationships with key WDVCAS partners including NSW Police Force, Local Courts, legal representatives and referral agencies, in order tofacilitate client access to those agencies and services; and
  • Attending court user forums, Domestic and Family Violence Reforms regional governance meetings and other relevant forums where required.

Essential Skillsand Knowledge:

  • Demonstrated understanding of the dynamics, complexities and legal and social welfare consequences of domestic violence;
  • Demonstrated understanding of the criminal justice response to domestic violence including Apprehended Domestic Violence Order (ADVO) applications and criminal prosecutions and related legal matters such as family law, care and protection, migration and victim’s compensation issues;
  • Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain professional working relationships with key stakeholders and relevant agency personnel;
  • Demonstrated understanding of the particular needs of and challenges faced by clients from diverse communities, especially ATSI and CALD clients;
  • Ability to deliver services in accordance with the WDVCAS Service Agreement, WDVCAP Principles, Policies and Standards and operational documents;
  • Excellent communication skills, particularly in negotiation, advocacy and conflict resolution;
  • High-level organisational, administrative, financial and management skills;
  • Ability to develop and implement service delivery strategies aimed at ensuring the relevance, accessibility and responsiveness of Local Coordination Point services to a diverse range of women and children; and
  • Demonstrated knowledge of and an ability to work effectively with interpreter services and other support services for victims with specific needs.

1 / Job Description – Safety Action Meeting Coordinator –BMWDVCAS– 19th December 2017.