Safety Action Meeting (SAM) Coordinator

Are you ready to play a pivotal role in transforming lives and helping to break the cycle of domestic and family violence? Do you have the compassion, capability and commitment to empower women and support victim-survivors on their path to safety and healing? If so, we want you to be part of our remarkable team!

Why Join us?:

• Professional Growth: Contribute to meaningful work while developing your skills through regular professional supervision.
• Balance and Well-being: We prioritize your work-life harmony, ensuring a supportive and flexible work environment with a 35 hour week and flexible hours
• More holidays: We have 5 weeks holiday plus additional leave at Christmas
• Great salary: Starting full-time package of $115,915 plus superannuation, negotiable depending on experience.

About Justice Support Centre

Justice Support Centre is a not-for-profit community legal Centre.

Our legal services include information, advice and legal representation for people in South West Sydney, whose access to justice is denied or constrained, including specialised legal services for victim-survivors of DFV.

Our DFV services include court support and advocacy, safety planning, case management and financial counselling.

Both the legal and DFV teams offer tailored training and workshops to the community members and community organisations.

We give our clients the guidance, legal advice, support services and strength they need to claim their rights, know their options and choose their next steps.

About the role

The Safety Action Meeting (SAM) Coordinator will be appointed to either the South West Sydney (SWS) WDVCAS or Sydney WDVCAS and will coordinate SAMs within the designated local areas of the relevant service. The role reports directly to the relevant WDVCAS Manager and works in partnership with the Assistant Manager and WDVCAS team to provide clients with an effective and streamlined service.

Principle Duties 

The work of the SAM Coordinator includes, but is not limited to, the following duties:

• coordinating and monitoring SAMs in the SWS or Sydney WDVCAS area including secretariat support (developing agendas, recording agreed actions and Safety Action Plans)
• liaising with NSW Police Domestic Violence Officers (DVOs) on proposed upgrades and downgrades for the SAM agenda, including raising matters for upgrade where the DVSAT score is below the serious threat threshold but professional judgement or new information indicates serious threat, and recommending downgrades where risk has reduced, such as where the perpetrator is in custody or the victim-survivor has relocated; documenting each request, its rationale and the DVO’s decision, and ensuring decisions are finalised before the agenda is distributed to the SAM chair and members
• liaising with clients in relation to Safety Action Plans developed at SAMs and support provided or arranged by the relevant WDVCAS.
• ensuring timely data entry, and providing timely feedback regarding DFV Connect referral issues to the WDVCAP Unit where there are issues
• working with the relevant WDVCAS Manager to develop and administer policies, systems and processes for the effective operation of SAMs, including the collection, use and storage of client information; conflicts of interest; client confidentiality; referrals to and from the WDVCAS; client and worker safety; child protection notifications; and management of the generic email address.
• complying with the SAM manual, the Domestic Violence Information Sharing Protocol, the WDVCAP policy and Procedure manual and any other operational documents
• assisting the SWS or Sydney WDVCAS Manager to comply with reporting requirements under the WDVCAP Service Agreement, WDVCAP Policy and Procedure Manual and any other operational documents
• building and maintaining constructive and positive working relationships with SAM members, in particular the SAM chair and the DVLOs
• attending court on AVO list days and other days as required, including mentions, hearings and prosecutor hearing clinics, to provide information, assistance, referrals and court advocacy for clients of the relevant WDVCAS, as directed by the Manager or Assistant Manager.
• the WDVCAS Manager retains responsibility for formal supervision, performance management and/or disciplinary action of the team
• ensuring the CRP and SAM data is accurately checked, collected and submitted to Legal Aid on time
• participating in relevant community development activities
• contributing to the preparation of appropriate resource and referral materials for the service
• attend relevant professional development activities, training and team meetings – may require travel at times
• attend regular supervision
• represent the Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service in a positive and professional manner.
• accepting electronic referrals from the Central Referral Point (CRP) and non-electronic referrals direct from government agencies and non-government services
• contacting clients referred to the SWS or Sydney WDVCAS in a timely manner, conducting a threat assessment to ascertain their current risk status and undertaking safety planning to address immediate safety needs
• ensure that clients that are identified and assessed “at serious threat” are placed on the agenda of the next SAM when necessary
• 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 SWS or Sydney WDVCAS
• attending court on AVO list days and other days as required and where time allows, to provide information, assistance and court advocacy for SWS or Sydney WDVCAS clients as directed by the SWS or Sydney WDVCAS Manager, in particular mentions, hearings, prosecutor hearing clinics etc
• ensuring the safety of SWS or Sydney WDVCAS clients at court by advocating on their behalf with court staff and Sheriff’s Officers to assist them into and out of court.  Obtaining copies of orders and other notices from the court staff on behalf of SWS or Sydney WDVCAS clients, as required
• ensuring women have access to appropriate legal representation for Apprehended Domestic Violence Orders (ADVO) matters as required i.e. private ADVO applications
• 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
• providing high level expert advice and assistance to the SWS or Sydney WDVCAS Manager and Assistant Manager to develop and implement strategies aimed at ensuring that SWS or Sydney WDVCAS services are relevant, accessible and responsive to the needs of women and children
• engaging in community development activities which help promote the services of the SWS or Sydney WDVCAS, subject to workload and resources of the WDVCAS, as directed by the SWS or Sydney WDVCAS Manager
• adhering to JSC & WDVCAP Principles, Policies and Standards in undertaking the work in particular those relating to client confidentiality and privacy, referrals to and from the SWS or Sydney WDVCAS, client and worker safety, staff professionalism, child protection notifications and follow-up assistance
• complying with the SAM manual and the Domestic Violence Information Sharing Protocol
• fulfilling reporting requirements for the WDVCAP database and the CRP in line with the WDVCAP Service Agreement, the WDVCAP policy and Procedure manual and SAM manual
• assist to develop and administer policies, systems and processes for the effective operation of the SWS or Sydney WDVCAS SAMs
• other duties consistent with the role that may from time to time be required as directed by the SWS or Sydney WDVCAS Manager.

General Duties

• undertaking your own word-processing as well as clerical and administrative duties for your role
• attending and actively participating in team and staff meetings
• contributing to the policy development, planning and organisational processes of SWS or Sydney WDVCAS
• cooperating with other members of staff in the provision of effective services in accordance with the SWS or Sydney WDVCAS’s aims and objectives
• actively participating in and contributing to the promotional activities of SWS or Sydney WDVCAS
• adhering to and working within codes of practice relevant to your role and position in the community and community sector
• undertaking training to develop and maintain skills and qualifications necessary to effectively fulfil your position
• maintaining an up to date working knowledge of the law and practice and procedure relevant to the position
• maintaining a working familiarity with office equipment required within the position
• attending and participating actively in management, staff appraisals and SWS or Sydney WDVCAS and JSC planning activities, including planning days as required.

Accountability and Administration

• ultimately accountable to the SWS or Sydney WDVCAS Manager for all matters
• collect and record data in accordance with SWS or Sydney WDVCAS policies and procedures
• contribute to the production of reports as directed by the SWS or Sydney WDVCAS Manager
• accept direction from the SWS or Sydney WDVCAS Manager for all matters.

Common team functions and responsibilities

• working collaboratively with other team members by sharing skills, resources, projects and ideas
• respecting and working within the codes of behaviour, policies and procedures of the SWS or Sydney WDVCAS and JSC
• encouraging and maintaining an atmosphere of harmony in the workplace by promoting and observing ethical practices and professionalism
• supporting the broader SWS or Sydney WDVCAS functions from time to time as required.

ESSENTIAL AND DESIRABLE CRITERIA

Essential Criteria 

• 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 knowledge and understanding of issues relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, people with disabilities and LGBTQ people
• demonstrated ability to establish and maintain professional working relationships with key stakeholders and relevant agency personnel
• 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, conflict resolution and networking
• high-level organisational, administrative and management skills
• ability to develop and implement service delivery strategies that ensure WDVCAS services are relevant, accessible and responsive to a diverse range of women and children
• demonstrated knowledge of and an ability to work effectively with interpreter services and other support services for victims with specific needs
• willingness to complete the Working with Children Check and a criminal record check.

Desirable Criteria

•  proficiency in a language other than English
•  IT skills.

This position is open to female applicants only. Justice Support Centre considers being a woman to be a genuine occupational qualification for this position under s. 31 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 (NSW).  Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women are strongly encouraged to apply.

Closing date: Applications will be reviewed and suitable candidates interviewed progressively until the position is filled.

Contact Person: Enquiries about the roles should be emailed to Alison Shave, Senior HR & Administration Officer, alison.shave@jsc.org.au

The preferred applicants will be required to undergo a Working with Children Check and a National Police Records Check.  Preference will be given to candidates who demonstrate knowledge of DFV Conect.

How to apply for this position:

• Apply online with your cover letter, detailing how your skills and experience meet the essential and desirable criteria along with your resume.
• Please address the essential and desirable criteria in full. Applications that do not address the essential criteria will not be considered.