Ruth's Women's Shelter - Senior Practitioner

seek.com.au; Cairns Regional; On-site; AUD 85,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary packaging

Feminist culture

Health and wellbeing support (EAP)

Job summary

Ruth's Women's Shelter is expanding and seeks a Senior Practitioner to lead high‑level case work and trauma‑informed, culturally safe service delivery.

You will work with the Operations Manager to uphold service quality, strengthen practice frameworks, and maintain a safe, empowering environment for women and children. Flexible hours and on‑call support are required to respond to safety issues.

Qualifications

• Bachelor qualification in Social Work, Psychology, Community Services or related discipline.
• 5+ years’ experience in DFV, crisis accommodation, homelessness or similar settings.
• Strong DFV knowledge, risk assessment, safety planning and trauma-informed practice.
• Experience in case work support and managing complex client presentations.
• Leadership, supervision or practice leadership experience.

Responsibilities

• Oversee delivery of services and case management including DFV risk assessments and safety planning.
• Provide supervision, debriefing and support to staff.
• Lead complex case responses and crisis interventions.
• Maintain compliance with legislation and reporting requirements.
• Contribute to continuous improvement and best-practice service delivery.

Skills

Leadership

Staff supervision

Trauma-informed practice

Risk assessment

Crisis intervention

Communication

De-escalation

Conflict resolution

Education

Bachelor Qualification in Social Work, Psychology, Community Services, or related discipline

Job description

Ruth's Women's Shelter - Senior Practitioner

New & Exciting Role - Join Us During Service Expansion!

Ruth's Women's Shelter is a proudly feminist organisation that has been providing crisis accommodation and vital support for women and children experiencing domestic and family violence since 1977. Guided by our vision to End Violence Against Women and Their Children, we are committed to creating safer futures through advocacy, support, and empowerment.

We are driven by the core values of Safety, Respect, Empowerment, Integrity,andCollaboration.

The opportunity

We are seeking a dedicated Senior Practitioner responsible for delivering high-level case support, leading best-practice interventions, and guiding staff in trauma-informed, culturally safe service delivery.

You will work closely with the Operations Manager to maintain service quality, strengthen practice frameworks, and ensure the shelter remains a safe, supportive, and empowering environment for all who come through our doors.

This role requires flexibility, including working flexible hours (Monday - Friday) to support team members including supervision, with the ability to respond to client safety issues outside of hours on a shared on-call rotating roster.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee the delivery of all services and case management procedures including comprehensive domestic and family violence risk assessments, safety planning, and crisis response.
• Provide practice guidance, supervision, debriefing, and support to staff.
• Lead complex case responses and assist with crisis interventions.
• Maintain compliance with legislation, DFV standards, and reporting requirements.
• Contribute to continuous improvement and best-practice service delivery.

About You

You are a confident and compassionate practitioner with strong experience in Domestic and Family Violence services, crisis accommodation, homelessness, mental health, or community services. You bring sound judgement, leadership capability, and a calm, grounded approach to complex situations.

Key Selection Criteria

• Bachelor Qualification in Social Work, Psychology, Community Services, or related discipline.
• Demonstrated experience of 5 + years working within DFV, crisis accommodation, homelessness, or similar settings.
• Strong understanding of DFV dynamics, risk assessment, safety planning, and trauma-informed practice.
• Experience providing case work support and managing complex client presentations.
• High-level communication, de-escalation, and conflict-resolution skills.
• Ability to work autonomously and provide guidance to other practitioners.
• Knowledge of Queensland DFV legislation and Child Safety reporting requirements.
• Experience in staff supervision or practice leadership.
• Previous work in a residential or shelter environment.

Other Requirements

• Mandatory Working with Children Check (Blue Card)
• First Aid Certificate (HLTAID003)
• CPR Certificate (HLTAID001)
• Open C Drivers License

What We Offer

• Award rate salary – SCHADS Level 6
• Salary packagingto boost your take-home pay
• Supportive and inclusive workplacewith a feminist culture
• Health and wellbeing support, including EAP, supervision, and internal peer support networks
• Join a growing, passionate organisation that's making a real difference in the lives of women and children in our community.