Some roles in the family violence and sexual assault sectors have specific qualification requirements. It’s important to clearly communicate these to candidates. To encourage applications, make it clear that there could be several pathways into the sectors.
Practitioners in specialist sexual assault services have at least degree-level qualifications (or equivalent certification from nationally accredited providers) in a range of relevant fields. Examples include psychology, counselling, social work, family therapy, creative arts therapies, occupational therapy, and community mental health nursing.
Men’s behaviour change roles have specific skills, experience and qualifications outlined in the Men’s behaviour change minimum (opens in a new window).
Mandatory minimum qualifications for specialist family violence roles
Some family violence response roles require specialist skills and experience. Contact Safe and Equal(opens in a new window) for advice on whether your role is covered by this policy, or visit the mandatory minimum qualifications(opens in a new window) webpage.
It’s important to remember that qualifications are not the only way to enter roles covered by the policy. Great candidates with cultural expertise or work or lived experience may be able to fill the role and work towards meeting the policy over time.
The policy encourages diversity in the workforce. It recognises employers as the experts in deciding the right candidate for the role. It does not replace robust, inclusive and accessible recruitment practices. The policy also recognises that a Bachelor of Social Work is not the only qualification that delivers skills and knowledge for these roles.
For specialist family violence roles covered by mandatory minimum qualifications, include information about the policy in position descriptions and job ads. Frame them in a way that invites applicants to consider how they could use their existing skills and experience to enter the role.
This can save time in the recruitment process. It can also ensure applicants have all the information they need to decide if the role is right for them.
You can encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds by mentioning the cultural expertise and lived experience pathway available under the policy.
It also helps to emphasise the range of skills and experience that can contribute to an equivalent qualification. Offer examples beyond social work and include the pathway options in your ads.
You can also direct jobseekers to discuss the requirements with the hiring manager or seek out further information about the requirements on the Safe and (opens in a new window) website.
The video below has advice about how to communicate the policy in your recruitment processes.
To get the mandatory minimum qualifications organisational toolkit, please email: recommendation209@dffh.vic.gov.au.
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