Disability Family Violence Practice Development Advisor

Berry Street is seeking a skilled and compassionate professional to join our Western Family Violence Service (WFVS) as a Disability Family Violence Practice Development Advisor. This is a unique opportunity to lead practice development and sector capacity building in the Central Highlands region.

The Western Family Violence Service (WFVS) is the lead provider for the integrated family violence service system in the Central Highlands sub-region. The WFVS provides support services to victim survivors of family violence and their children inclusive of cis gendered heterosexual women and, their children; and people from the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex and Queer Community (LGBTIQ+) and their children. WFVS provides a range of specialist family violence programs. The service aims to support victim survivors and their children to remain safely within their community and maintain a life free of violence while also addressing the emotional and practical needs and issues arising from the violence.

The Opportunity

• Ballarat location on Wadawurrung Country
• Full time, Fixed term until 30 June 2026
• $119K plus super and salary packaging (pro rata)

The Department of Families, Fairness and Housing currently fund the Family Violence and Disability Practice Leader (FVDPL) initiative to strengthen access to specialist family violence and sexual assault support for people with disabilities at risk of family violence and ensure that support is, inclusive of, and tailored, to the needs of people with disabilities. This includes practice leadership within specific service areas, a Statewide Disability Inclusion Advisor position within Safe and Equal and Family Violence and Disability Practice Leader Initiative program guidelines.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver expert advice, consultation, and training to strengthen disability-inclusive practice across family violence and sexual assault services in the Central Highlands.
• Build and maintain strategic partnerships with services including The Orange Door and Aboriginal organisations to improve culturally safe referral pathways.
• Map and enhance local service coordination, identifying gaps and opportunities to improve outcomes for people with disability.
• Collaborate with the State-wide Disability Inclusion Advisor and contribute to Communities of Practice to support consistent sector development.
• Collect and report data to inform continuous improvement and contribute to state-wide evaluation.
• Promote NDIS literacy and advocate for inclusive service responses tailored to the needs of people with disability.

About You

You will hold a minimum Bachelor level qualification in Social Work or equivalency met through the 7 Equivalency Principles in line with the minimum mandatory qualification requirements. Please see https://www.vic.gov.au/mandatory-minimum-qualificationsspecialist-family-violence-practitioners for further information.

• Experience in providing tailored services to people with disabilities.
• In-depth knowledge of the Victorian family violence and sexual assault service system and other relevant health and human services in Victoria.
• Experience working in a multi-disciplinary context.

The Benefits

• $15,900 pa (pro rata) Salary Packaging + Additional Salary Packaging for meals/accommodation
• Flexible work arrangements.
• 10 weeks paid parental leave + other generous leave conditions!
• Access to the Employee Assistance Program, with access for staff's immediate family
• Leave loading 17.5%

How to Apply

Applications including resume and cover letter addressing your suitability for the position to be submitted by 11pm, Monday 6 October 2025.

Queries to Mandy Gambino, Senior Manager Family Violence Services 0419 759 037 .

We believe in diversity, inclusion and equality and are committed to ensuring that our workplaces are a reflection of the Victorian community. We recognise the benefits that diversity and inclusion brings, and in turn encourage talented people from all backgrounds, abilities and identities to apply to our vacancies.

We encourage applications from people with lived experience of disability. You'll receive adjustments and support throughout the whole process — from the application stage to starting in the workplace. If you require the position description in a different format or any accommodation or assistance during the application and interview stages please contact the person listed on the ad or alternatively email recruitment@berrystreet.org.au or call 9421 9379.

Berry Street is committed to being a child safe, child friendly and child empowering organisation. In everything we do we seek to protect children. We are committed to the cultural safety of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children; children from culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds; children with a disability; children who identify as LGBTIQA+. We aim to ensure every individual is treated with dignity and respect regardless of their cultural background, ability, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, spirituality or religion.

Please Note; the successful applicant will be subject to comprehensive reference and background checking prior to employment, including a Working with Children Check and National and International Police check (if required).