• Do you want the opportunity to work for justice, choice and self-determination for people with disability? 

drummond street provides trauma informed, recovery-oriented counselling, case work and advocacy services with people with disability who have experienced violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation. We work to ensure people with disability have the opportunity to safely share their story with the Disability Royal Commission.

Your role as Senior Practitioner

drummond street is seeking a Senior Recovery Practitioner to join their Disability Support Service on a full-time, contract basis until the end of June 2022, with the possibility subject to funding of a longer contract. This role will be based in Inner Northern region (Carlton & Coburg locations), with occasional travel in metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria required.

This role will see you lead, supervise and collaborate a trans-disciplinary, trauma informed team to ensure delivery of high quality, client led counselling, case work and advocacy services.

You are a skilled practitioner and leader who is looking to become part of a team committed to social justice and intersectionality, who can share and build knowledge to support trauma informed practice that centers the voice of survivors who are people with disabilities that have experiences of trauma due to violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation.   

About drummond street services & the Redress and Restore service

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. 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.

Following years of sustained advocacy by people with disabilities in 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. 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.

Disability Support Service provides state-wide, trauma informed counselling. case work and advocacy services that are accessible, client-focused and meet the needs of people with disability, their families carers, support workers and advocates. The service offers a model of support and advocacy which is flexible, compassionate, respectful, empowering, holistic with the aim of addressing individual client needs and undertaking systematic advocacy. The services centres a human rights model of disability and employs a number of staff who have disabilities and are also members of the LGBTIQA+ communities.

Our services are open to all people with disability, their families, loved ones carers and support workers but assertively engages those experiencing 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. 

The following will be essential in this position: 

• Tertiary qualification in a relevant field (i.e. Psychology, Social Work, Mental Health) and along with other training and experience related to delivery of trauma informed counselling services for people who experience complex trauma, with a specific focus on people with disability
• Current Accreditation with a relevant professional body, e.g., APS, AASW  
• Comprehensive skills in risk assessment and crisis intervention for at risk clients
• A minimum of four years’ experience in the counselling, disability sector, family services, and/or mental health sectors
• An in depth understanding of the disability sector the impacts of violence, abuse and neglective in the lives of people with disabilities
• Minimum 2 years’ experience providing clinical supervision to practitioners
• History of working with people with disability in a manner which centres human rights and intersectionality  
• Experience working with LGBTIQA+ staff and clients in a way that is affirming
• 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

A rewarding opportunity 

Upon joining drummond street services, you'll be welcomed into a hard-working, compassionate and supportive team of individuals from diverse backgrounds. In return for your dedication and commitment, you will be offered an attractive remuneration package (negotiable based on experience), as well as salary packaging options.  

For further information contact Vicki Khouri, Manager Disability Support Service on 03 9663 6733. 

LGBTIQ+ people, people with disability, First Nations People and people from Culturally Diverse Communities are encouraged to apply. Applicants who have a lived experience of disability are encouraged to apply.  

DSS is committed to prioritising child safety and we adhere to the Reportable Conduct Scheme for organisations.