Good Shepherd Australia New Zealand (GSANZ)

Our strategy outlines the world we want to see and our role advancing in it. It also speaks to the positive impact we will deliver to support women, girls and families to be safe, secure, strong and connected. We are committed to tackling the issues of our time which adversely affect them. We work to advance equity and social justice and support our communities to thrive.

We seek to increase economic participation and wellbeing, to build resilience, improve safety and bring about system change. We offer microfinance programs and products, financial counselling and coaching, family violence support, family and youth programs, playgroups, education programs and community houses. These services are complemented by research and advocacy to address the underlying structural causes of injustice, exclusion, and inequality.

About the Role:

• Permanent Part Time Position (0.8 FTE/30.4hrs)
• SCHCADS Level 6 + Super + Salary Packaging
• Working with dedicated team supporting the well-being of Women and Children

The Family Violence Counsellor – Women and Children provides counselling support and group work for women, children and their families who have been exposed to or have been directly affected by family violence. The service is delivered both face to face and through a variety of technologies. The Family Violence Counsellor – Women and Children is an integral part of the Bayside Peninsula Family Violence Program.

The Family Violence Counsellor – Women and Children also provides support to families in refuge, offering single sessions for families, women and children and facilitating group work. This intervention aims to assist the clients to debrief their current situation and support stabilisation during the process of transition out of a violent environment.

Responsibilities include:

• Provide high quality trauma informed therapeutic intervention – counselling and group work – to women and/or children presenting with complex needs associated with their experience of family violence. 
• Work within the MARAM framework, including information sharing schemes to promote healing and recovery for victim survivors of family violence.
• Safety plan with victim survivors as part of the therapeutic intervention process.
• Conduct a comprehensive readiness assessment focusing on safety and needs with the referred client/s to determine the suitability of the service to their needs. Refer to a more suitable program, where required. 
• Develop a tailored counselling service plan with the client/s, ensuring to detail clear goals and milestones, undertake regular assessment of progress and amend, where required.  Including maintaining up-to-date high quality comprehensive and accurate client case files

About you

• Formal qualifications in psychology, counselling, family therapy, social work or equivalent demonstrated experience. Demonstrated eligibility to work in the family violence sector as Recommendation 209 in place since the 1st of July 2021 (Please see below for more details).
• Demonstrated extensive individual counselling and group work experience utilising a range of theoretical and practice frameworks for women and/or children presenting with complex trauma
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience conducting comprehensive therapeutic safety and needs assessments and making professional judgements and decisions informed by these assessments
• Demonstrated experience in working with women and children experiencing family violence
• Demonstrated experience in preparing and maintaining professional case records
• Excellent organisational, interpersonal and communication skills.
• Registration with an appropriate professional body e.g. ACA, PACFA, AASW, AHPRA is highly desirable

Minimum Mandatory Qualifications Requirements 

The minimum mandatory qualifications requirements are in place in Victoria and have been since the 1st of July 2021 are available on https://www.vic.gov.au/mandatory-minimum-qualifications-specialist-family-violence-practitioners

Please contact us on [email protected] if you have any questions about these requirements.

Why Good Shepherd?

At Good Shepherd, each member of our team is valued, we strive to support people to grow both personally and professionally. We offer generous conditions and flexible working hours to support employees to balance their personal and work life.

Benefits include:

• Salary packaging (which can add up to $15,900 in tax-free pay per year)
• Paid study leave
• Paid parental leave
• Gifted leave at Christmas and Easter
• Additional purchased annual leave
• Flexible work hours/working from home where possible
• Long service leave due after 10 years, with access after seven
• Employee Assistance Program, a free and confidential counselling service

To find out more about the role and to review the position description please explore our website: www.goodshep.org.au

How to apply

To apply please review the position description which can be found on our website and submit a short covering letter outlining your relevant skills and experience along with your CV. Personal data held by Good Shepherd Australia New Zealand relating to employment applications will be used in accordance with our Privacy Statement, which is available on our website.

Please apply as soon as possible, applications are considered as they are received. 

In line with various State Government’s COVID-19 health and safety requirements, Good Shepherd’s assessment and induction processes may be facilitated remotely using various online tools. The People and Capability Team in collaboration with hiring managers will work with you to find the most appropriate method to ensure your safety and wellbeing and that of our employees. 

We recognise the rich diversity of people across Australia. We are committed to ensuring that our team is reflective of the diverse community we serve and to supporting a culture of equity, inclusion and diversity. 

Good Shepherd Australia New Zealand is a Child Safe employer. Employment is subject to satisfactory referee checks, a current employment working with Children Check, National Criminal History check and proof of the right to work in Australia.