Planned Support Worker

Survivors & Mates Support Network; City of Parramatta; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary packaging benefits

Professional development support

Job summary

Survivors & Mates Support Network (SAMSN) invites applications for a full-time Planned Support Worker to help male survivors navigate the National Redress Scheme. The role supports individuals through trauma-informed, person-centred pathways, including advocacy and crisis support, across phone, online and face-to-face contacts at Parramatta.

You will work with NSW Victim Services, knowmore and other agencies, maintaining records and contributing to a collaborative, supportive team culture guided

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualification in social work or related discipline.
• Registration with a relevant professional association (AASW/ACA/PACFA/APS/AHPRA).
• Experience supporting survivors of childhood trauma to make National Redress Scheme applications.
• Experience with the criminal justice system.

Responsibilities

• Assist male survivors to navigate the National Redress Scheme with dignity and choice.
• Provide ongoing individual support including emotional and crisis support and advocacy.
• Collaborate with survivors to ensure safe, responsive support aligned with their priorities.
• Assess support needs including access to counselling, Centrelink, housing and financial assistance.
• Maintain accurate client records and support plans; attend interagency meetings.

Skills

Trauma-informed care

Client-centred approach

Case management

Cross-cultural communication

Education

Bachelor degree in social work or related discipline

Job description

Survivors & Mates Support Network, known as SAMSN, is a specialist service supporting male survivors of child sexual abuse, as well as their families, loved ones and supporters. We also provide tailored training to health professionals, community organisations and government departments supporting people impacted by childhood trauma. Our work is grounded in trauma-informed practice and guided by our values of Hope, Dignity, Connection and Community.

We are seeking a skilled and passionate Planned Support Worker to support male survivors to access the National Redress Scheme. This includes supporting people with experiences of complex trauma, people who are or have been in prison, and people living with disability. Support is provided by phone, online and face-to-face.

This is a full-time position working 38 hours per week from SAMSN’s office at 8–10 Palmer Street, Parramatta. The position reports to the Planned Support Team Leader.

About the role

Working within a supportive and trauma-informed environment, you will assist male survivors to navigate the National Redress Scheme in ways that uphold their dignity, choice, voice and agency.

Your responsibilities will include:

Supporting survivors to complete timely applications to the National Redress Scheme within a trauma-informed framework.

Providing ongoing individual support under supervision, including emotional and crisis support and advocacy.

Working collaboratively with survivors so that support is safe, responsive and guided by each person’s choices and priorities.

Assessing support needs, including access to counselling, Centrelink, housing, financial assistance and other services.

Providing warm referrals and maintaining current knowledge of relevant services and referral pathways.

Maintaining accurate, relevant and contemporaneous client records and support plans.

Attending relevant interagency meetings and events.

Working collaboratively with agencies including NSW Victim Services, the National Redress Scheme, knowmore Legal Service and other statutory authorities.

Contributing positively to SAMSN’s team culture, policies, procedures, learning, development and supervision processes.

About you

You will bring a respectful, person-centred approach and a sound understanding of the impacts of childhood trauma across the lifespan. You will be able to work sensitively with people experiencing distress while supporting their safety, dignity and decision-making.

A tertiary qualification, at bachelor degree level or above, in social work, counselling, social welfare, psychology or a related discipline.

Registration with a relevant professional association, such as AASW, ACA, PACFA, APS or AHPRA.

Experience supporting survivors of childhood sexual abuse to make applications to the National Redress Scheme.

Experience working within the criminal justice system.

Demonstrated experience applying trauma-informed principles.

Knowledge of the dynamics and impacts of child sexual abuse across the lifespan, including possible impacts on mental health, substance use and relationships.

Experience providing case management and/or counselling to survivors of childhood trauma.

Experience responding appropriately to people in distress.

Knowledge of, and experience working with, key services and referral systems, including Centrelink, housing, health and victim services.

Excellent verbal, written and cross-cultural communication skills.

Strong organisational skills and the ability to prioritise competing demands while managing a caseload.

Experience supporting male survivors and an understanding of the specific impacts that child sexual abuse may have for men.

Experience supporting people who have experienced childhood trauma and are living with disability, including psychosocial disability.

Contribute to a specialist service supporting survivors, families and supporters.

Work within an organisation guided by Hope, Dignity, Connection and Community.

Participate in ongoing learning, development and professional supervision.

Join a collaborative team committed to trauma-informed and person-centred support.

Classification and remuneration

• SCHADS Award Level 4.2 (approx. $90-100k base salary plus super 12%)
• Remuneration may be negotiated commensurate with qualifications and experience.
• This position is eligible for generous salary packaging benefits.

Successful applicants will be required to have a current National Police Check and a Working with Children Check.

SAMSN welcomes applications from people with diverse backgrounds, identities, cultures, abilities and lived experiences. We are committed to an accessible and respectful recruitment process. Applicants are welcome to let us know if any adjustments would support their participation in the application or interview process.