Client Response Practitioners provide trauma-informed, person-centred support to individuals who have been directly impacted by sexual violence within a Defence context. The role involves delivering short-term holistic case management, including comprehensive needs assessment, risk assessment and management, collaborative case planning, care coordination, ongoing monitoring, advocacy, and supporting clients to transition safely from the service. Practitioners provide trauma-informed psychosocial support to clients who may be experiencing crisis, distress, or significant psychosocial impacts, and work collaboratively with clients to identify appropriate support pathways.

The role also involves working closely with senior leaders and stakeholders, providing operational advice and insights informed by service trends, emerging risks and frontline practice. Practitioners provide advice on relevant Defence policies, procedures and support options, as well as consultation, psychoeducation, and debriefing to assist leaders to respond appropriately and effectively. Strong stakeholder engagement is essential, requiring the development and maintenance of productive relationships with Defence personnel, health professionals, support services, and external agencies to support positive outcomes for clients.

About our Team

The Sexual Misconduct Prevention and Response Office (SeMPRO) is a specialist organisation within Defence, established in 2013 responsible for preventing and responding to sexual violence and supporting cultural reform across the Defence community. Through expert advice, support services, education and capability-building initiatives, SeMPRO plays a critical role in promoting safe reporting, supporting those impacted by sexual violence, and strengthening Defence’s response framework.

SeMPRO brings together a multidisciplinary workforce of social workers, psychologists, educators, policy professionals and other specialists who work collaboratively to deliver high-quality, trauma-informed services. Our work supports Defence members, their families, leaders and workplaces by providing confidential support, expert guidance, education, consultation and resources. The Client Response Team sits at the frontline of this work, providing specialist, trauma-informed support to individuals impacted by sexual violence.

The team delivers short term case management, psychological support, information and referral services, while also providing advice and guidance to Defence leaders and stakeholders on available support options and relevant Defence processes. SeMPRO is committed to fostering a workplace culture grounded in professionalism, integrity, compassion and continuous improvement. We recognise the unique challenges associated with trauma-exposed work and prioritise staff wellbeing through structured supervision, reflective practice, regular debriefing opportunities and proactive workload management.

Working within SeMPRO offers a unique opportunity to contribute to meaningful outcomes for individuals and Defence more broadly. Team members are supported to develop their professional capability,



influence organisational change and be part of a collaborative and values-driven team dedicated to improving the experiences of those affected by sexual violence.

Our Ideal Candidate

We are seeking a skilled and motivated practitioner who is passionate about supporting individuals impacted by trauma and committed to delivering high-quality, trauma-informed services. The successful candidate will bring experience working with individuals experiencing trauma, crisis, mental health concerns, or other complex psychosocial issues. They will possess strong assessment and case management skills, the ability to establish rapport quickly, and confidence in supporting clients to identify their needs, manage risk, and access appropriate supports.

The ideal candidate will be collaborative, adaptable, and capable of working both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team. They will be solutions-focused, demonstrate initiative, and actively contribute to service improvement and best-practice approaches.

To be successful in this role, you will demonstrate:

- Eligibility for membership with the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW).
- Experience providing trauma-informed, person-centred support to individuals with complex needs.
- Strong short-term case management, risk assessment and safety planning capabilities.
- The ability to respond effectively to clients experiencing distress, trauma, or crisis.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to engage effectively with a diverse range of clients, stakeholders, and service providers.
- Sound qualified judgement, resilience, and the capacity to manage competing priorities in a complex operational environment.
- Strong written communication skills, including the ability to prepare accurate case notes, records, reports, and correspondence.
- High levels of organisation, attention to detail, and administrative capability.
- A commitment to ethical practice, continuous professional development, and maintaining professional standards.
- Confidence using technology to deliver services and maintain records across a range of systems and platforms.
- Flexibility and adaptability to respond to changing client, stakeholder, and service requirements.

Experience working within Defence, government, health, social services, victim support, family violence, sexual violence, or other trauma-related settings will be highly regarded.

Most importantly, you will bring a genuine commitment to providing respectful, compassionate, and empowering support to people accessing SeMPRO's services. You will contribute positively to a collaborative team environment and support SeMPRO's mission to deliver safe, professional,



and client-centred services to those impacted by sexual misconduct.

Security Clearance

Applicants must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance at “Baseline Vetting” level.

The key duties of the position include:

The Role

Client Response Practitioners provide trauma-informed, person-centred support to individuals who have been directly impacted by sexual violence within a Defence context. The role involves delivering short-term holistic case management, including comprehensive needs assessment, risk assessment and management, collaborative case planning, care coordination, ongoing monitoring, advocacy, and supporting clients to transition safely from the service. Practitioners provide trauma-informed psychosocial support to clients who may be experiencing crisis, distress, or significant psychosocial impacts, and work collaboratively with clients to identify appropriate support pathways.

The role also involves working closely with senior leaders and stakeholders, providing operational advice and insights informed by service trends, emerging risks and frontline practice. Practitioners provide advice on relevant Defence policies, procedures and support options, as well as consultation, psychoeducation, and debriefing to assist leaders to respond appropriately and effectively. Strong stakeholder engagement is essential, requiring the development and maintenance of productive relationships with Defence personnel, health professionals, support services, and external agencies to support positive outcomes for clients.

The Sexual Misconduct Prevention and Response Office (SeMPRO) is a specialist organisation within Defence, established in 2013 responsible for preventing and responding to sexual violence and supporting cultural reform across the Defence community. Through expert advice, support services, education and capability-building initiatives, SeMPRO plays a critical role in promoting safe reporting, supporting those impacted by sexual violence, and strengthening Defence’s response framework.

Eligibility

Applicants must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance at “Baseline Vetting” level.

Getting to know the Department of Defence

The Department of Defence employs around 18,000 Australian Public Service (APS) employees. Defence APS employees work in a wide variety of critical roles, Australia wide, enabling our three services Navy, Army and Air Force, to do their job. Defence has a range of Australian Public Service (APS) career opportunities that offer interesting, challenging, and unique work. Our workforce includes administrative support, accountants, intelligence analysts, engineers, policy advisors, graphic designers, lawyers, social workers, IT specialists and contract managers to name a few. We offer a rewarding career that includes professional development, work-life balance, recognition, a flexible and supportive work environment and a diverse workforce. To find out more about a career with Defence please visit https://www.defence.gov.au/jobs-careers

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📌 SeMPRO Client Response Team Practitioner (Canberra)
🏢 Department Of Defence
📍 Canberra