Classification: Health and Professional Services Award 

 Position Fraction: Full time  

 Location: Based in the Multidisciplinary Centre Morwell  

______________________________________________________________

Counsellor Advocate Child & Family role: 
The Counsellor Advocate Child & Family role has specific responsibilities coordinating the interface with clients, referrers, and the community who would benefit from working with children and families who come to our service.

Specific Responsibilities: 

• Responding to clients entering GCASA (Gippsland Centre Against Sexual Assault) services, provision of one-to-one trauma informed counselling within a family context.
• Working within a team to consider eligibility, risk and prioritisation pertaining to referrals and short- medium-long-term therapeutic interventions to support the safety, stabilisation, and wellbeing of GCASA’s clients entering our service. 
• Conducting initial risk assessment and ongoing risk management in accordance with MARAM (Multi Agency Risk Assessment Management) framework, and with children, young people and families who may present with problematic and or harmful sexualised behaviours. 
• Conducting initial assessments, case formulations, intervention planning and review. 
• Providing secondary consultation.
• Advocating on behalf of clients and families as appropriates.
• Maintain accurate and confidential client files, accurate and up to date statistical records and other records as required that meet legal, ethical, and organisational requirements. 
• Participate in Clinical Client Supervision and line Management supervision in accordance with GCASA’s Supervision Policy. 
• Participate in planning for the Agency’s work by participating in team meetings, service reviews and service evaluations and ongoing professional development. 
• Maintain up to date knowledge, understanding, and sustain the development of professional skills in issues relating to sexual assault and counselling practice including, but not limited to, trauma, attachment, neurobiology, feminist theory, and practical application of the principles of social inclusion. 

 Key Selection Criteria 

• Degree level qualification or equivalent certification from a nationally accredited provider in the area of social welfare, counselling, social work, family therapy, psychology, creative arts therapies, or community mental health nursing. 
• A minimum of 2 years recent counselling experience working with children, young people, and adults within a therapeutic setting, providing short to medium term trauma informed intervention. 
• Knowledge related to the incidence and impact of sexual assault, as well as an understanding of the dynamics that support the occurrence of sexual assault, including feminist empowerment philosophy and social inclusion theory. 
• Well-developed organisational skills including time management and ability to multi-task, broad computer/IT skills, high level communication skills using data systems that support client management and record keeping. 
• Knowledge of the legislative requirements governing the collection and storage of personal information; client confidentiality and the protection of children/young people through mandatory reporting. 
• Demonstrated experience in Assessment and ability to respond to client needs and distress as first entry point to service. 

 Other 

The successful applicant will be appointed for a six-month probationary period during which time, regular clinical and line management supervision is provided. At the conclusion of this period a performance review will be held with the CEO and Clinical Manager; after which, a decision will be made to offer ongoing employment or to cease employment with the Agency. 

 The successful applicant will: 

• Be willing if required to travel across the region and to Melbourne as negotiated for training and development. 
• Hold a current Victorian driver’s licence. 
• Hold a current Working with Children’s check. 
• Provide a current National Crim Check 
• Hold current COVID-19 Vaccination Status  
• Will work Wednesdays to participate in agency meetings. 

______________________________________________________________

 APPLICATION INFORMATION 

Application must include statements addressing each of the selection criteria listed. This is most important, as consideration for interview will be based on whether the essential requirements of the position are addressed within your application.  

 Applications should include a current resume with 3 referees names and contact details. 

GCASA is culturally inclusive and welcomes applications from diverse cultures including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and or from the LGBTQIA+ Community. 

All applications are to be emailed and marked ‘Confidential application for the role of Counsellor Advocate Child & Family and emailed to: 

Jane Barr 
CEO  
Email: [email protected] 

CLOSING DATE: 30/09/2023

If you have any further queries regarding this position, please contact: 

Kate Neocleous
Clinical Manager
PH: 5134 3922

Employer questions

Your application will include the following questions:

Do you have a current Working with Children (WWC) Check?

Which of the following statements best describes your Covid-19 vaccination status?

How many years’ experience do you have as a counsellor advocate 

Do you have a current Police Check (National Police Certificate) for employment?

Do you have a current Australian driver’s licence?