• Part time position (0.6FTE) - contract till 30 June 2027, with option of extension subject to funding
• SCHADS 5
• First Nations People, LGBTIQA+ people, people with disability, people of colour, public housing residents or people with a lived experience are encouraged to apply
• DS is committed to child safety and to creating and maintaining a child safe organisation in line with the Victorian Child Safe Standards. The safeguarding and wellbeing of children and young people is central to our work. We have zero tolerance for child abuse and are committed to acting in the best interests of children and young people. All staff are required to participate in a thorough recruitment and screening process, including holding a current Working with Children Check and completing a National Police Check.

About the role

Drummond Street provides intersectional, complex trauma informed and healing and/or recovery-oriented services. Sitting under the umbrella of our Complex Trauma Service, our free, independent Redress Support Service (RSS) is for survivors of institutional child sexual abuse and their families and loved ones. We support survivors to safely complete their application to the National Redress Scheme (NRS) and provide the free counselling offered as part of their successful outcome. We also support applicants to the Victorian Redress Scheme for Historical Institutional Abuse (VRS).

We are seeking an experienced Complex Trauma Practitioner to become part of the team on a part-time contract basis until the 30 June 2027. This is a hybrid role, with the possibility of 1-day WFH per fortnight.

You will be part of a transdisciplinary complex trauma-informed team well-regarded for its delivery of high quality, client-led counselling, case work and advocacy services. Reporting to the Senior Complex Trauma Practitioner, you will be expected to assertively drive referrals for, and support people in, custody with their NRS and VRS applications within their correctional facilities. You will also support survivors who are living in the community.

This role is based in Carlton, with regular travel in metropolitan Melbourne and to regional Victoria, where required.

About You

You are a skilled practitioner with complex trauma experience and some experience in therapeutic case work. You are looking to become part of a team committed to social justice and intersectionality. You can share and build knowledge to support complex trauma responsive practice that centres the voice of survivors who may also be people with disabilities, who have experiences of trauma due to violence, abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

About Drummond Street Services

Drummond Street is a not-for-profit, non-denominational agency that has over 130 years in the development and delivery of innovative services that strengthen families and communities. We have a strong focus on evidence-based/informed practice and across the prevention, early intervention, treatment and recovery spectrum of universal and targeted support. We supported survivors to tell their story to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse and continue to support survivors to seek justice through the National Redress Scheme and our Redress Counselling and Psychological Care Service).

Following years of sustained advocacy by people with disabilities, in 2019 the Commonwealth Government established the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability. Drummond Street supported people with disabilities to share their experiences to inform Australian governments, institutions and the wider community on how to prevent, and better protect, people with disability from experiencing violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation in the future.

Our Complex Trauma Service provides state-wide, complex trauma informed counselling, case work and advocacy services. These are accessible, client-focused and meet the needs of people of survivors, their families, carers, support workers and advocates. The Complex Trauma Service offers a model of support and advocacy that is flexible, compassionate, respectful, empowering and holistic with the aim of addressing individual client needs and undertaking systematic advocacy.

Our employment policy assertively engages people experiencing access barriers, marginalisation and/or discrimination, prioritising First Nations people, people of colour, and/or those identifying as LGBTIQA+, with a specific focus on public housing residents.

Key Selection Criteria:  

Essential

• Tertiary qualification in a relevant field (i.e., Psychology, Social Work, Mental Health and Counselling) plus additional training and experience related to delivery of trauma informed counselling services for people who experience complex trauma.
• Accreditation with a relevant professional body.
• A minimum of two years’ experience in the counselling, family services and/or mental health sectors.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience working with survivors of institutional child sexual abuse and people with disability.
• Demonstrated knowledge of complex trauma and healing and recovery approaches to intervention.
• Demonstrated knowledge and application of a range of therapeutic approaches for individuals, couples, and/or families.
• Demonstrated genuine interest and commitment to collaborating with LGBTIQA+, First Nation, and people of colour in ways that are affirming.
• Must be available to work Tuesday 11am-7pm

Highly Desirable

• Experience working within the criminal justice system.
• Demonstrated experience with providing interventions that support individuals and families with multiple and complex needs such as experiencing barriers to the NDIS, or DSP, complex communication, mental health, family violence and drug and alcohol issues.
• Demonstrated experience in community engagement and health promotion.

Please review the position description which outlines the full list of responsibilities and key selection criteria

Application process

• To submit your application, please click 'Apply Now' by midnight on the closing date.
• All applications will be directed to our careers portal – Complex Trauma Practitioner (Community and Corrections) 
• All applicants must include a resume with a cover letter addressing all the key selection criteria for the position to be considered.
• Applicants shortlisted for an interview will be required to provide evidence of their qualifications during the interview process

To discuss your application contact Louisa Shillingford-Brown, Manager - Complex Trauma on 03 9663 6733 or [email protected] using the subject line: Complex Trauma Practitioner - Community and Corrections enquiry via EthicalJobs.

Suitable applicants that apply before the closing date will be offered an interview

DS supports a flexible and productive work environment through its Hybrid Work Model. Where operationally viable and in line with role requirements, eligible employees may have the opportunity to work remotely on a structured basis. Eligibility for hybrid work is subject to the conditions outlined in DS’s Hybrid Work Model Policy and is not automatically granted.