Legal Aid NSW is seeking to appoint a Provider to manage the Far West and Nepean-Blue Mountains Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service (WDVCAS) for the period 1 July 2024 – 30 June 2028. The Provider must be a non-government, not-for-profit, incorporated entity operating in NSW.The primary role of the Provider is to provide support and direction to the WDVCAS to ensure compliance with the WDVCAS Service Agreement, WDVCAP Policy and Procedures Manual and Safety Action Meeting (SAM) Manual. The Provider is responsible for the recruitment and management of WDVCAS staff, financial management and overarching performance management of the WDVCAS.

The Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service (WDVCAS) was established in 1996. WDVCASs provide information, referrals, safety planning, court advocacy and case management services to women experiencing domestic and family violence and their children. There are 27 WDVCASs across NSW, covering all NSW Police Force Commands and Districts, and all NSW Local Courts.

WDVCASs host a key component of the NSW Government’s Safer Pathway program. Safer Pathway aims to ensure that all domestic and family violence victims receive a consistent, effective and timely response, regardless of where they live, and that victims at serious threat of injury or death receive a priority, integrated response.

As part of Safer Pathway, WDVCASs provide women victims with threat assessment, safety planning, case coordination, case management, and where appropriate, referral to a Safety Action Meeting (SAM). SAMs are an integrated, cross-agency response to victims at serious threat of injury or death due to domestic and family violence.