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LGBTIQA+ Suicide Bereavement Group Facilitator

Switchboard Victoria

About Switchboard Victoria (Inc.)

Switchboard Victoria is a community-based, not for profit organisation that provides peer-based, volunteer driven support services for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and gender diverse, intersex, queer, asexual and more (LGBTIQA+) people and their friends, families and allies. Switchboard is an equal opportunity employer, all our staff and volunteers identify as belonging to LGBTIQA+ communities.

About Suicide Prevention Program

Suicide Prevention at Switchboard is a national leading program dedicated to creating innovative suicide prevention services that help make the lives of LGBTIQA+ people safer. Our program is the first of its kind in Australia, operating LGBTIQA+ specialised suicide prevention initiatives in suicide prevention, intervention and postvention. 

As part of our ongoing focus on suicide postvention, Switchboard is piloting an 8-week suicide bereavement group program in collaboration with partnership organisation, Support After Suicide (Jesuit Social Services), for LGBTIQA+ people who have been bereaved through suicide. This 8-week group is for LGBTIQA+ people who have been bereaved for around 3 – 18 months. The same participants attend each of the 8 sessions. The group will run on a weekday evening and each session focuses on a topic with discussion between the participants. This new program is currently being developed through co-design processes with LGBTIQA+ people with lived experience of suicide bereavement.

We have an exciting opportunity to implement the pilot program in 2021. We are seeking a candidate with strong skills in providing therapeutic interventions to co-facilitate the 8-week LGBTIQA+ suicide bereavement groups.

Position overview

This new role will work closely with Switchboard, Support After Suicide and a LGBTIQA+ lived experience suicide bereavement advisory group to implement the LGBTIQA+ Support After Suicide pilot program. The successful candidate will be responsible for co-facilitating two 8-week bereavement groups in 2021. 

The LGBTIQA+ suicide bereavement group facilitator will undertake training to learn the Support After Suicide model of bereavement care and collaborate with a co-facilitator to integrate necessary adaptations to create a LGBTIQA+ service model. These learnings are currently being generated through consultation with LGBTIQA+ people who are past program participants with further guidance provided by the LGBTIQA+ lived experience suicide bereavement advisory group.

The LGBTIQA+ suicide bereavement group facilitator will be responsible for conducting intake with program participants, follow-up support where required to participants between sessions, managing client files, and providing feedback and reflections through a sustained process of program evaluation. By the conclusion of the pilot program, the LGBTIQA+ suicide bereavement group facilitator will complete a therapeutic manual on LGBTIQA+ Support After Suicide service delivery.

Additionally, the LGBTIQA+ suicide bereavement group facilitator will contribute to capacity building of staff and volunteers at Switchboard and Support After Suicide by presenting a webinar or other form of training on LGBTIQA+ experiences of bereavement through suicide between the two deliveries of the 8-week group.

This role is 8 hours per week which is to be spread across two working days. During periods when the 8-week group is running, the candidate will be required to begin shift late in the afternoon and work in the evening, at which time award afterhours rates will apply.

Annual leave is expected to be taken during periods when the 8-week group is not running. The first group is scheduled for May/June, the second group dates are yet to be confirmed. This role could suit a practitioner who is currently working in private practice or working part time.

Selection criteria

Essential

  1. Applicant must identify as part of the LGBTIQA+ communities.
  2. A tertiary qualification in psychology, social work or counselling including current registration with relevant membership association and a minimum of five years supervised experience in counselling and experience facilitating group work.
  3. An expressed willingness and previous demonstrated skills in working with people who are experiencing trauma and grief.
  4. Ability to conduct intake assessments and manage client files.
  5. Demonstrated understanding of the advantages of LGBTIQA+ peer-led work and using lived experience to shape the development of mental health programs.
  6. Capacity to work collaboratively with practitioners to develop and tailor therapeutic programs. Experience working therapeutically with LGBTIQA+ people and strong understanding of challenges faced by LGBTIQA+ communities highly desirable.
  7. A commitment to practicing critical self-reflection and willingness to engage in co-reflective practices with colleagues.
  8. Highly developed interpersonal skills with demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both written and verbally, with people from a wide range of professional and cultural backgrounds. 

To find out more and apply

Please carefully review the selection criteria for this position, which you should systematically address in your application, which should also include a cover letter and resume listing all relevant employment, volunteer experience and qualifications.

Please also ensure you are familiar with Switchboard’s purpose, programs, and ways of working, by visiting our website at switchboard.org.au

Contact

For further information or if you have any questions about the role, please contact Switchboard Suicide Prevention Manager, Anna Bernasochi (she/her).

Email: [email protected], using the subject line: LGBTIQA+ Suicide Bereavement Group Facilitator enquiry via EthicalJobs

Phone: 0447 566 216

Proposed interview date:

Thursday 11th February by Zoom.

A position description is attached.

How to apply

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