• Recent inquiries and reports have shown that people with disability are more likely to experience violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation than people without disability. This is your opportunity to contribute to their recovery.
• Are you committed to social justice and want to become an agent of change?
• Are you keen to be part of a new service with opportunity to engage in research and advocacy?

About drummond street services & the new support and counselling Service for People Affected by the Disability Royal Commission

drummond street services (DS) 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 with a strong focus on evidence-based/informed practice and across the prevention, early intervention, treatment and recovery spectrum of universal and targeted support.

On 5 April 2019, the Prime Minister, the Hon Scott Morrison MP, and Minister for Families and Social Services, the Hon Paul Fletcher MP, announced the establishment of the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability (Disability Royal Commission). Learnings from the Royal Commission will help 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.

This new team is providing state wide, trauma informed counselling services to people affected by the Royal Commission that are accessible, meaningful and meet the needs of people with disability, their families and carers. Delivering face-to-face, phone and online sessions to meet the diversity of clients and localities, the service will also provide supportive referrals to other service providers and collaborate with appropriate services in order to meet the critical needs of the individual and their support system. The service offers a recovery model of support that is flexible, compassionate, respectful, empowering and holistic for people with various types of disability (physical, sensory, cognitive and/or psychosocial).

ds is committed to ensuring our workforce reflects the communities we work within. We strongly encourage people from the following background/s to apply:

• People with Disability
• First Nations people
• Identifying as LGBTQI+
• People of colour (e.g. identifying as cultural, religious and/or ethnically diverse)
• Speaks one or more community languages

Your role as Lived Experienced Workers

drummond street is seeking Lived Experienced Workers to join their support and counselling service for people affected by the Disability Royal Commission on a full-time/part-time, contract basis until the end of June 2022. This role will provide practical and emotional support for clients and bring a personal understanding of the importance of resilience and the recovery process. The Lived Experienced Workers will be based in Carlton (or another drummond street services location, depending on operational needs and/or the worker’s home location), with travel with metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria as required.

An extremely important position contributing to the success of the Disability Royal Commission, this role will see you collaborate with a trans-disciplinary team. There is scope to support clients to make submissions to the Disability Royal Commission, engage the local communities and contribute to important policy development and service evaluation. 

About you

drummond street services is welcoming applications from compassionate and proactive individuals who are looking to become part of a team committed to social justice for people with disability, their families and carers.

The following will be essential in this position:

• A lived experience with disability and understanding of the impact on family members and loves of a person with disability.
• Involved and actively participating in the local community
• Ability and willingness to work as part of a trans-disciplinary team
• A genuine interest and commitment to working with LGBTIQ, Aboriginal, refugee, CaLD and other higher risk cohorts.

A rewarding opportunity

This is an incredibly gratifying opportunity to act as a key change-agent within a passionate NFP organisation. Upon joining drummond street services, you'll be welcomed into a hard-working, compassionate and supportive team of individuals from diverse backgrounds. You'll leave each and every day knowing you've made a positive impact on the lives of people who have experienced human rights issues.

We are committed to affirmative employment practices and will be providing the relevant supports to the workers to further develop their career in this field.

In return for your dedication and commitment, you will be offered additional training and professional development opportunities to enhance your capabilities to work with clients with disability and associated challenges. Salary packaging options (up to $15,900 per FBT year) are also available.