- 12 month contract for a (0.6) 22 hours per week part time role located at our Hurstville Hub
- $41.96 – $45.14 per hour + Salary Packaging
- Flexible Friendly organization embracing hybrid working
The Benevolent Society supports Australians by offering integrated support services for children, young people, families, people with disability, older Australians and carers.
We work across Australia, nationally through virtual service delivery and in person in NSW, VIC, ACT, SA and QLD and we work with thousands of people every day, to help them feel valued, cared for and understood.
About this role
For over 30 years our Post Adoption Resource Centre (PARC) has supported people across NSW whose lives have been affected by adoption.
As a Post Adoption Counsellor, you will improve the well being of people affected by adoption by providing therapeutic services such as counselling, therapeutic group work, intermediary, information and research services. We use a trauma-informed, family systems and strengths based approach to support individuals and families navigate their post adoption journey.
Duties
- Provide face to face, video and telephone counselling services to people presenting with grief, trauma, identity, relationship, parenting, drug and alcohol, domestic violence and mental health issues relating to experiences of adoption.
- Engage clients using appropriate strengths based assessments and risk minimisation processes.
- Work with clients to research, create, monitor and evaluate their client plan and outcomes, that identify strengths as well as areas of risk, ensuring clients are actively engaged in the process.
- Work with clients affected by adoption to prepare for connection with family and the associated issues that can occur
- Facilitate connection meetings and provide debriefing support to clients
Our Benefits
We support people to live their best life. That includes you, our employee. A ‘best life’ is unique to everyone and can change as life changes. Here are a few things you might be interested in:
- Salary Benefits – You can package up to $15,900 pa of you pre-tax salary to pay for everyday expenses before income tax is calculated, meaning you take home even more pay!
- Motor Vehicle Packaging Options – to suit your lifestyle.
- Work/Life Balance – Flexible work arrangements including hybrid home/office work arrangements, 1 accrued day off a month for full time employees (that’s an extra 12 days off per year!).
- Recognition and Reward – Sector competitive remuneration, various recognition programs and access to long service leave after 5 years
- Wellness – Fitness passport + Employee Assistance Program + opportunity to purchase additional leave.
- Professional development – We tailor career development opportunities to all employees and volunteers for career enrichment, fulfilment, and growth.
- Our Reconciliation Commitment – a First Nations employees are entitled up to 10 days of unpaid leave for ceremonial purposes, as well as the option to be a voice on our RAP working group, and have the opportunity for cultural and professional development that supports career pathways.
Skills and Experience
You will have a relevant tertiary (degree) qualification e.g., social work, counselling, psychology and:
- An understanding of the key issues surrounding adoption such as trauma and its impact, identity and reunion issues.
- Experience delivering trauma informed evidence-based programs and therapeutic services, individually and in groups.
- Demonstrated practice skills working therapeutically with adults and adolescents, preferably in a post adoption service or the out of home care sector.
- Experience working therapeutically with families is desirable.
- High level written and verbal communication skills, with knowledge of search, outreach and intermediary practices.
- Great people skills and capacity to engage with people from all walks of life.
- Some flexibility to travel and do evening work.
- Current driver’s license.
If you identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples, then we want to hear from you. The Benevolent Society recognises and values cultural knowledge and wisdom of the First Nations people, we therefore strongly encourage you to apply. We are strongly committed to being an Employer of Choice, one who offers, provides, and practices cultural safety in our workplace.
Interested? Apply online today!
Contact Sarah Burn on 0481 463 605 to discuss the role in more detail.
The Benevolent Society respects and promotes human rights and diversity and is committed to building an inclusive culture. We welcome diversity in all its forms; applications from underrepresented communities are strongly encouraged. We value relationships with our local Aboriginal community and welcome applications from its members. We see ability not disability, if you identify as a person with a different ability, please get in contact to let us know how we can accommodate your needs. We pride ourselves on being a client and child safe organisation and as such all our staff and volunteers go through security screening relevant to the role.