Domestic Violence Court Worker

**Job purpose**

The CAWES Domestic Court Worker works within a dynamic and fast-paced crisis intervention, advocacy, and support service to ensure the voice of the client informs every stage of the judicial process and their road to a life free of violence. The Court Worker is expected to make proactive contacts to complete an initial needs/risk assessment, and to provide in-depth case management services to the client.

The Court Worker provides court case services to the Red Deer Domestic Violence Docket Court to enhance existing court processes and outcomes for domestic violence cases through increased information gathering, coordination, communication and case management between key players (Crown, Police, Community Corrections, Children’s Services), and to enhance client participation and safety.

The Court Worker carries a mixed caseload of high-, medium-, and low-risk clients, including clients going through the criminal justice system. The Court Worker supports clients through the criminal justice, civil remedies and related matters, attending court where necessary, and coordinating the provision of multi-agency support.

The Court Worker maintains positive, proactive, and innovative working relationships with agencies providing services to victims of domestic violence.

**Duties and responsibilities**

Provide strong case management, including:

- Assessing clients' strengths, challenges, and needs
- Completing safety plans for individuals at risk of further family violence by assessing the risk of family violence and developing an appropriate safety plan, if required
- Co-developing goals and service plans with clients
- Supporting clients and consulting with other appropriate service providers within the community
- Collecting data and completing evaluations
- Following up, reviewing, and updating safety plans
- Providing available community resources for on-going support as needed.

Provide court support, including:

- Providing pertinent information to the court regarding the client, the accused, history of abuse, safety concerns, family members, existing court orders, etc.
- Supporting clients through their involvement in the justice system
- Informing clients about their case, including changes in the accused’s circumstances, and case outcomes.
- Facilitating clients' ability to have input into the case and active involvement in the court process, ensuring clients' perspectives are communicated to the court via the interview process;
- Keeping clients engaged in the court process up to and including the trial;
- Ensuring accurate files are kept through database case management;
- Ensuring that confidentiality is maintained, by displaying diplomacy and tact in dealing with confidential information

Complete other duties, including:

- Attending docket court as directed by the CAWES Program Manager - Crisis Intervention providing pertinent information to the Crown regarding the clients, accused, family members, and any other existing court orders
- Attending weekly High Risk Table meetings as needed and/or directed by the CAWES Program Manager
- Providing information on clients to the Crown Prosecutor’s office independent of the client interview, when required.
- Attending and participating in team and staff meetings.
- Communicating with other agencies to share information, and maintain positive and effective relationships with community partners.
- Attending committee meetings as assigned.
- Maintaining accurate and up-to-date participant files, consent forms, required reporting and statistical records.
- Representing the Central Alberta Women’s Emergency Shelter in a positive and professional manner
- Performing all general duties of the Central Alberta Women’s Emergency Shelter employees, as required

**Qualifications**
- Must have completed post-secondary education with a minimum two-year Social Work or Justice Studies Diploma, other related post-secondary education, or a combination of related work and academic experience,
- Must have a strong knowledge of domestic violence and its impact on individuals and families,
- Must have a good working knowledge of the criminal justice system and family law.
- Should have an understanding of, and experience using, domestic violence risk assessment tools.
- Should have training in Indigenous awareness, and be able to interact respectfully and appropriately with diverse groups of people.
- Must have current training in suicide intervention, and solution-focused counselling
- Must be able to work independently, with mínimal supervision, as a positive and enthusiastic member of a team.
- Must have the strong organizational skills to work in a face-paced environment, with the ability to prioritize and multi-task;
- Must have excellent written and verbal communication skills, with computer experience on MS Word, Outlook; and database systems.
- Must be able to work in high-stress situations, employing problem solving and conflict resolution