Social Worker – Elder Abuse Practitioner – Part Time (0.6 FTE)

Better Place Australia has a vision of “An Australia where all people experience positive relationships, truly value each other and live safer, more fulfilling lives”. Our purpose is “To empower people to become more resilient and experience improved wellbeing to better determine their futures“.

Our organisational values are at the forefront of all interactions with our employees, our clients and our stakeholders.

We are:

• Creative
• Welcoming
• Responsive; and
• Thriving

As a community focused ‘for-purpose’ organisation with an ever-growing range of psychological and community support services, Better Place Australia is taking a leadership role in the provision of high-quality, effective services for a wide range of community groups across 13 locations in Victoria.

This is an opportunity to join our expanding team of highly experienced and passionate people who want to make Australia a better place.

The Role

As a Social Worker – Elder Abuse Practitioner, you will play a pivotal role in supporting older adults across the Barwon region by coordinating victim-survivor responses to elder abuse through trauma-informed, wraparound case management.

What you can expect to do in this role:

• Conducting comprehensive psycho-social, needs, and risk assessments, and developing tailored safety plans for clients.
• Providing outreach support and conducting phone-based assessments to ensure timely and effective intervention.
• Delivering professional, evidence-based advice and support to older victim-survivors of elder abuse.
• Collaborating effectively within a multidisciplinary team, working closely with internal BPA programs and external stakeholders such as The Orange Door, legal services, and Victoria Police.
• Promoting elder abuse services through active liaison and networking with community service organisations, aged care providers, hospitals, and related agencies.
• Coordinating all referrals to external services to ensure seamless client support.
• Preparing and submitting Flexible Support Package applications as required.

What you will require:

• Hold a tertiary qualification in Social Work and be eligible for, or hold, membership with the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW).
• Demonstrated experience supporting older adults impacted by elder abuse (suspected or confirmed), including those with complex family dynamics.
• In-depth knowledge of the Family Violence Protection Act 2008, relevant information sharing schemes, and advanced risk assessment and trauma-informed practice skills, particularly within the MARAM framework.
• Possess a current Victorian Driver’s Licence, a valid Working with Children Check, and a clear National Police Check. Annual influenza immunisation is mandatory.
• Proven ability to collaborate and build effective relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Extensive experience in high-level client assessment, safety and care planning, and service coordination in both community and hospital settings.
• Advanced skills in the screening and assessment of elder abuse, with a thorough understanding of complex care options and services available to older people.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, outstanding time management, and highly developed problem-solving abilities.

Employee Benefits

Better Place Australia is serious about being an employer of choice and to back that claim we offer:

• Generous above award salary rates.
• Salary packaging (which increases your take home pay).
• Additional paid annual leave (between Christmas and New Year).
• Annual leave loading of 17.5%.
• Twelve weeks paid parental leave.
• Up to 20 days family violence leave.
• Paid study leave and extensive professional development opportunities.

Better Place Australia

Better Place Australia is a for-purpose organisation, providing services for all members of the community regardless of religion, age, gender, sexuality, lifestyle choice, cultural background or economic circumstances. We offer a workplace culture reflective of a vibrant, learning organisation where our people are highly engaged in their work and committed to making a difference.

At BPA, we all have a shared responsibility for supporting a culture of inclusivity and diversity. Our organisation is committed to child safety, and we carry out police record, working with children and reference checks to ensure that we are recruiting the right people.

Our organisation is committed to child safety and satisfactory completion of both a Working with Children Check and National Police Check clearance are mandatory for the preferred candidate.

Workplace Flexibility

Here at Better Place Australia, we embrace flexible ways of working including work from home. We encourage you to talk to us about what flexibility might look like for you and your individual needs.

Further Information

This is a part-time (0.6 FTE) role, with flexibility in days and hours. The role is primarily outreach-based, servicing the City of Greater Geelong, Surf Coast Shire, Borough of Queenscliff, and Colac Otway Shire with occasional travel to other locations as required.

For further information, download a copy of the position description. Prospective candidates are welcome to direct enquiries to Rhonda Withers, General Manager Older Person Services, at rhonda.w@betterplace.com.au or 03 9556 5333.

Whilst we appreciate the interest of all prospective candidates, please note that only short-listed applicants will be contacted.

Ready to join us? Apply now – we look forward to hearing from you!