If making a positive, permanent impact on the lives of children and their families is your mission, this job could be for you. Kids First Children’s Services in Sydney’s northern beaches has a unique career opportunity for a qualified Counselor or Mental Health Social Worker who has experience helping kids and families overcome their social, emotional and behavioural challenges. 

About you  ….

• You are a confident, caring, and innovative Counsellor or Mental Health Social Worker who loves to support kids and their families.
   
• You have great people skills, are a fantastic communicator and enjoy working as part of a dynamic multi-disciplinary team.
   
• You are keen to contribute to a culture where whole-hearted connection with children, families and colleagues is an everyday reality.
   
• You want to be of a vibrant practice where banter and a few laughs are the norm.
   

And maybe right now …

• You’re looking for that ‘perfect paediatric role’ that will give you the chance to build meaningful relationships with children and families.
   
• You want more satisfaction from your job than you are currently experiencing
   
• You’re new to your clinical career, but have extensive experience working with and supporting children and families (such as education, behaviour or disability support services)
   
• You’re working in another paediatric environment (e.g. school or community health) and are keen to experience the advantages of private practice
   

About Us …

• Since 2007, Kids First’s multi-disciplinary team of psychologists, speech pathologists, occupational therapists, and early intervention specialists has supported more than 20,000 local children and their families
   
• Our ‘all under one roof’ approach gives clinicians a unique opportunity to learn, be supported, and build a broad range of clinical skills
   
• Our Core Values; Care, Kindness, Compassion, and Making a Contribution play a daily role in our practice and the charities we support through our ‘Therapy For Good’ initiative
   
• Our longevity as the Northern Beaches’ most awarded multi-disciplinary team is the result of passionate people who are outstanding professionals. We genuinely care about our work, the clients we support and one another. 
   

When you join the Kids First team, you’ll…

• Provide warm, responsive and evidence-based clinical support to children aged 3 to 16
   
• Work in partnership with families to help children to overcome their social, emotional and behavioural challenges
   
• Collaborate with psychologists, speech pathologists, occupational therapists and early intervention specialists who are part of Kids First’s on-site multi-disciplinary team
   
• Be part of our innovative service delivery program which includes individual interventions, evidence-based small group programs and valuable school holiday activities
   
• Get the chance to broaden and deepen your skills through daily contact with like-minded professionals who share your commitment and values
   
• Benefit from allocated collaborative time, weekly case conferences as well as regular off-site team retreats
   
• Develop your professional skills under the guidance of experienced team leaders.
   

At Kids First, you’ll work with colleagues who are:

• Personally aligned with the Core Values that underpin the work we do
   
• Team players who respect and care about their colleagues and clients
   
• Positive people who enjoy a challenge, love to laugh and are committed to constant personal and professional growth.
   
• Excited by opportunities to be creative and chances to ‘do therapy differently’

As a member of the Kids First team you will:

• Have flexible options so you can balance work and family
   
• Enjoy a fun, motivated, and supportive team environment
   
• Be given the support and tools you need to succeed with well-organised mentoring, professional development and induction programs.
   
• Have a diverse caseload within a multidisciplinary team environment
   
• Be supported by experienced leaders who place priority on staff satisfaction and wellbeing
   
• Be assisted by our experienced Customer Service Team who will manage your clients’ ‘logistics’ and leave you to focus on your therapeutic role
   
• Enjoy regular social get-togethers, team lunches, ‘What’s New Wednesdays’ and other rewards
   

Days and Hours

We are looking for a Counsellor or Mental Health Social Worker to join us initially for 3 to 4 days per week. Opportunities to increase days and hours will be available in the future as the caseload develops.
 

Remuneration 

• Kids First Children’s Services values the contribution that its team members make and offers competitive salary packages that include an above-award pay scale and other personal and professional benefits.
   
• Every team member receives a generous PD allowance + supervision opportunities within working hours
   
• Your salary will be commensurate with your years of experience supporting children with unique needs and previous work in a paediatric therapy setting.
   

Essential Criteria

• Counsellor: Full member of the Australian Counselling Association or an accredited Registrant with the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia.
   
• Social Worker: Full member of the Australian Association of Social Workers
   
• Warm, caring interpersonal skills and a flexible, “can-do” approach
   
• Experience supporting children with behavioural, social, and emotional challenges and their families
   
• Working with Children Check
   
• National Police Check
   
• Permanent Australian residency
   
• Ability to support kids and families outside school hours
   
• Enthusiastic consumer of cake, treats and the occasional team lunch that may or may not involve pizza – yes, Kids First is that kind of place
   

Desirable Criteria

• Local resident of northern Sydney
   
• Availability to work reliably 3 to 4 days each week (our kids and families deserve consistency and care)
   

Application Process

We want to hear from exceptional Counsellors or Mental Health Social Workers who:

• Are dedicated to building a career in child and adolescent mental health
   
• Have demonstrated previous experience in a paediatric setting with children who have unique needs
   
• Want career development and security as a long-term member of our visionary, award-winning multi-disciplinary team

Preliminary interviews for this position have commenced, so if you would like to be considered, we encourage you to apply without delay.

Please include a brief cover letter with your CV outlining how you meet the above criteria and the contact details of two professional referees.

Email your application to  [email protected] or call Kids First Children’s Services on (02) 9938 5419 for a confidential chat with our Director, Sonja Walker