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We are looking for compassionate people who share our mission and values, if you have the passion and drive to commit yourself to a challenging and rewarding role; we invite you to review our current vacancies.

ABOUT US

The Salvation Army is a Christian movement and one of Australia’s largest and most-loved charities, helping thousands of Australians every year find hope in the midst of all kinds of personal hardship. The Salvation Army offers the opportunity to use your professional skills and expertise to make a real difference in the lives of people who need help most.

Why this role matters

The Salvation Army Australia's Family Violence Stream provides a wide range of services around the country to support women and women with children impacted by family and domestic violence. We offer refuge, children's and parenting services, counselling, support, men's programs, accommodation and advice to women and children who are experiencing, or who have experienced, family violence.

About the role

We are seeking a values-driven Child Centred Play Therapist reporting to the CaPSS Team Leader. The Play Therapist is responsible for providing child-centred, trauma informed and developmentally appropriate counselling interventions to children and young people impacted by family violence. They conduct needs' assessments and provide child-focused individual counselling to help make sense of and recover from family violence. In collaboration with the Team Leader and Lead Practitioner, the Play Therapist plans, co-facilitates and evaluates therapeutic groups for children and their families.

The Play Therapist also provides specialist secondary consult support to the team regarding the needs of children and the impact of family violence on children's development.

The Children and Parenting Support Service (CaPSS) operates in priority areas of Melton, Melton South, Melton West, Werribee, Wyndham, Laverton and Hoppers Crossing North and South. CaPSS is an Australian Government Family and Communities (Department of Social Services) program aimed at supporting families, strengthening relationships, improving the wellbeing of children and young people, and increasing participation in community life to enhance family and community functioning.

You will successfully

• Provide therapeutic intervention support for children, including group work
• Provide child-centred and trauma-informed single session counselling where required
• Plan, co-facilitate and evaluate therapeutic group programs for children in the Western region
• Actively promote therapeutic groups to services that work with families impacted by family violence to enhance referrals to the groups
• Engage children through play and assessing for development and cognitive milestones and making appropriate referrals to supports, to reduce the impact of family violence related trauma
• Provide secondary consults to practitioners regarding children with particular focus on risk and trauma
• Hold space for the child's voice as appropriate with regards children being acknowledged as victim survivors of family violence in their own right

This is a permanent full-time position based in Melton, VIC. Salary and conditions are in accordance with Health Professional Award Level 2.

You will have

• Masters in Counselling or Family Therapy
• Additional qualifications in Play Therapy or equivalent
• Relevant experience as a Play Therapist in a social services environment
• Relevant child protection requirements are obtained for example Working with children check
• A national police record check is required

What we offer

• Flexible working conditions
• (Maybe eligible to) NFP salary packaging ($15,900 tax free) plus meals and entertainment benefits
• Employee Assistance Program - Independent confidential counselling service
• Financial, retail and lifestyle discounts and benefits
• Discounted health and fitness programs through Fitness Passport
• Up to 8 weeks leave per year through our purchase leave scheme
• Generous Parental Leave offering of 12 weeks
• Up to 5 days paid leave per year to support a TSA program or activity
• An inclusive culture of dedicated, passionate, and professional team members
• Positively supporting and impacting the lives of others through your career contribution

Applications will close as soon as a suitable candidate is secured. Do not delay in submitting your application today!

The Salvation Army is an Equal Opportunity Employer who provides an inclusive work environment and embraces the diverse talent of its people. We value people of all cultures, languages, capacities, sexual orientations, gender identities and/or expressions. We are committed to achieving a diverse workforce and strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

The Salvation Army is a child safe organisation and is committed to protecting children and young people from harm. All child facing roles will require the successful completion of a Working with Children Check. Applicants for all roles require a mandatory National Police Check.
We are committed to providing a safe environment for our people. If successful in being appointed, you may be required to provide evidence of your vaccination status.

We value Integrity, Compassion, Respect, Diversity, and Collaboration.