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Family Counsellor

Domestic Violence Action Centre
  • Maternity relief

The Family Counsellor:

  • Will primarily provide counselling and support to mothers and their children or young people who are experiencing or have experienced domestic and family violence.
  • Will engage in short-medium term family therapy and/or group work with women, children, and young people whilst also providing limited general services to women who are the primary caregiver of the child/young person.
  • Will be primarily based in Ipswich but may also provide services off-site from DVAC as required.
  • Given the nature of the work and the organisation, it will be important for any worker in this position to be able to work autonomously, ethically and with limited direction.

key responsibilities and outcomes

Service Delivery:

  • Provide specialist attachment and trauma informed family and individual counselling to women and their children (including adolescents) who have experienced or are experiencing domestic and family violence and/or sexual violence
  • Provide counselling and group work to young people who have witnessed domestic violence and are using or are at risk of using violence in their intimate partner and family relationships
  • Provide specialist group work services to women, children and young people who have experienced domestic violence and/or sexual violence
  • Provide school-based delivery of services as required to children and young people in designated regional centres; specifically in relation to work with women, children and young people experiencing domestic and sexual violence where feasible and in collaboration with the Counselling Team Leader/Service Manager;
  • As needed provide phone and face to face risk assessment, safety planning, crisis support, advocacy, and referral to women and children who are experiencing or have experienced domestic and family violence and sexual violence
  • Be responsible for minor financial delegations attached to the program ensuring fiscal liability within the appointed budget; and

See attached Position Description further Key Responsibilities.

preferred qualifications and experience

  • Possession of relevant tertiary qualifications in the psychology, social work, or counselling field.
  • Well-developed experience and skills in counselling and therapeutic support.
  • Knowledge and skills to ensure the provision of trauma informed services to clients;
  • Knowledge and skills to ensure the provision of culturally, gender and age appropriate services to clients;
  • Demonstrated understanding and experience in working effectively with people (Adults and young people) who have experienced or are currently experiencing domestic & family violence, sexual violence, or other significant trauma;
  • Knowledge regarding feminist practice and its application in working against both domestic & family violence, and sexual violence.
  • Group work experience and skills will be highly regarded.
  • Experience and skills in gender-based violence risk assessment, trauma informed practice, safety planning, crisis support and system advocacy.
  • Current drivers license and Blue Card.
  • All DVAC staff are required to complete a National Police Check upon successful offer of position.
  • Working knowledge of the Domestic & Family Violence Protection Act 2012 and knowledge of court and legislative proceedings as they relate to the Act; and
  • Any post-graduate or professional development undertaken in the field of domestic & family violence, sexual violence, or trauma-informed practice will be viewed favourably.

selection criteria

Please Note! Applications that do not address the selection criteria cannot be considered.

  1. Utilising a feminist perspective, what is your knowledge of the issues affecting women, children and young people who have experienced domestic and family violence?
  2. Could you describe your practice framework and experience providing attachment and trauma informed family and individual counselling with mothers, children and young people?
  3. Outline your experience and skills in developing and facilitating groups with children, young people and adults who have experienced trauma?
  4. Based on your previous work experience, how have you built and maintained positive working relationships and partnerships with clients, colleagues, and stakeholders?
  5. What strategies and skills do you employ to work autonomously and to prioritise competing demands, and in what contexts have you had to apply these strategies?
  6. Outline your knowledge, experience, and skills in administrative functions in a community-based organisation. Please include reference to computer skills, data management, written assessment, case-noting, and report-writing

Please read attached Position Description for further information on this role.

How to apply

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