About Foundation House

The Victorian Foundation for Survivors of Torture Inc. (also known as Foundation House) provides services to advance the health, wellbeing and human rights of people of refugee backgrounds in Victoria who have experienced torture or other traumatic events in their country of origin or while fleeing those countries.

The organisation was established in Melbourne in 1987 and is non-denominational, politically neutral and non-aligned. Foundation House is a state-wide agency offering services in metropolitan, regional and rural areas, with head office based in Brunswick. We have approximately 200 staff with metropolitan regional offices in Dallas, Sunshine, Dandenong and Ringwood.

The opportunity

Ongoing part time (0.8 EFT) Child, Youth, Adult and Family Counsellor Advocate based in Ringwood.

About the role

Foundation House works with survivors of torture and trauma experiences in their countries of origin or part of their refugee journey. You'll be responsible for delivering thorough psycho-social assessment, counselling and advocacy services to clients within Integrated Trauma Recovery Model and will be working with people of all ages and various ethnic, religious, and life backgrounds. This will include working with refugees who have permanent residence or citizenship in Australia, Temporary Protection Visa holders (TPV), Special Humanitarian, Enterprise Visa holders (SHEV), as well as asylum seekers in community detention and those living in the community on Bridging Visas. Foundation House work involves intake, assessment and counselling work with clients using professional interpreters as needed.

Some parts of the role will necessarily occur off-site and on an outreach basis. Some travel to other Foundation House sites and venues will also be required for professional development and various meetings.

Reporting to a Team Leader, you will be supported by highly skilled and qualified practitioners and receive regular supervision and valuable support.

About you

• Degree qualified as a psychologist, social worker, counsellor or similar relevant university degree
• Ability to demonstrate your experience providing therapeutic interventions, advocacy and risk assessment.
• Demonstrated understanding of trauma informed practice models in working with children, young people, adults and families with backgrounds of refugee trauma.
• Experience in providing support to complex cases with a broad range of priority areas, such as mental health, family violence, substance abuse issues.

This role is well suited to candidates who are organised, client-focused and who can effectively manage tasks and deadlines while maintaining a high degree of self-awareness and professionalism. You will also demonstrate a positive, creative and collaborative approach to the delivery of these vital services. Previous experience in working or with Refugees and Asylum Seekers will be highly regarded.

Key Selection Criteria

1. Ability to undertake intake assessments, comprehensive psychosocial assessments and risk assessments with children, youth, adults and families, and to complete and maintain documentation in a timely manner.
2. Counselling skills for complex trauma in working with children, youth and families.
3. Experience in advocating on behalf of children, youth, adults and families with respect to a range of issues related to health, welfare, legal and government.
4. Ability to work collaboratively in multi-agency partnerships, and with client support networks.
5. Previous work experience as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
6. Knowledge in trauma, its psychosocial impact, and the suitable interventions using a trauma informed and systems-based framework.

Salary and Benefits

Remuneration is based on our Enterprise Agreement 2014 up to $94, 433 gross per annum pro rata. Benefits include generous salary packaging, leave loading, a range of flexible working options and a highly supportive team environment.

VFST is an equal opportunity employer.

VFST promotes the safety and well-being of children.

Conditional employment requirements:

1. Satisfactory police check
2. Working with Children Check
3. Proof of the right to work and live in Australia

APPLICATIONS

Applicants must submit

• Current resume
• Cover letter addressing the Key Selection criteria (above) maximum 2 pages.

For any enquiries regarding the position please contact Jacqui Robson, Team Leader Child Youth Adult and Family on 9389 8718

PD_Counsellor Advocate_CYAF_Feb21.pdf