Family Safety Practitioner

Position

Family Services Practitioner

Team

Family Safety & Wellbeing

Role Classification

SCHADS Level 6

Employment Type

1 x Fixed Term Contract (12 Months)

Location

Frankston, Sandringham and some remote (online) work 

From time to time the incumbent may be requested to work from or be based at other Family Life sites.

Reports To

Team Leader, Family Safety and Wellbeing

Effective Date

February 2026 

Overview of Program 

The Family Safety and Wellbeing Program is a client-centred, trauma informed service 
designed to provide counselling and support to adults and children. The Family Safety and 
Wellbeing program encompasses both Family Violence Counselling and Family Safety 
Advocacy.  
Family Violence Counselling utilises a variety of counselling models and approaches based 
on the unique experience of each individual. 

Position Objective

The Family Violence Practitioner supports victim survivors of family violence to address the 
impact of family violence using evidence-based and holistic counselling interventions in a 
short-term intensive capacity.  
The Family Violence Practitioner will also provide Family Safety Advocacy to partners/ex
partners/family members of adults who use violence and are attending case management 
or behaviour change programs at Family Life. 

Key Responsibilities

The key responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Providing short-term intensive Family Violence Counselling, on an individual basis, to 
  adults and children impacted by family violence.


• Conducting ongoing risk assessments and developing safety plans to mitigate risk and 
  ensure safety.


• Linking clients to other internal and external support services as required.


• Ensuring that the needs and safety of children take priority at all times.


• Responding to enquiries and providing phone-based support to partners/ex
  partners/family members of adults attending programs for adults who use family 
  violence.


• Liaising with the Family Safety & Wellbeing Leadership Team and relevant program 
  staff when necessary.


• Ensuring services are delivered to quality standards, comply with relevant legislation 
  and achieve contractual requirements.


• Maintaining professional documentation and administrative systems according to 
  agency and legislative requirements, including planning and documentation of 
  group and education programs.


• Commitment to research and evaluation and application of evidence-based 
  practice.


• Compliance with the organisation’s Program Planning and Evaluation Framework.


• Attending regular reflective practice groups, which explores the role privilege plays 
  with particular reference to sexism across the Family Violence and Family Services 
  sector. 

Key Selection Criteria

1. Tertiary qualifications (minimum bachelor’s degree), in Social Work, Counselling or  Psychology with specialisation in Family Violence.


2. Demonstrated ability in undertaking assessments and working effectively with  women who have experienced family violence.


3. 3. Experience in working with and understanding of developmental and therapeutic  needs of children who have experienced trauma, abuse and neglect.


4. Demonstrated experience with separation, Family Law, mental health, sexual abuse, alcohol and other drugs and family violence issues.


5. Demonstrated clinical experience working with multidisciplinary teams to provide a high level of performance and innovation preferably relating to Family Relationship/Family Support areas. 


6. Ability to respond to challenging behaviours and an understanding of the origins of these behaviours when working with children including trauma and attachment.  


7. Information technology skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office suite and client 
   management systems and online video conferencing platforms.