Our story

The Victorian Foundation for Survivors of Torture Inc. (also known as Foundation House) was founded in 1987 to advance the health, wellbeing and human rights of people of refugee background who have experienced torture or other traumatic events. We have worked with over 100,000 people from more than 70 different communities and have grown from a single worker to a team of approximately 250 staff across five sites in metropolitan Melbourne and have partnerships with community organisations across Victoria.

Foundation House is recognised as a national leader in the provision of trauma-informed and trauma-focused service delivery that effectively supports the recovery and settlement of our clients, their families and their communities. Our organisation is committed to maintaining a culture of continuous improvement at all levels and to being a responsible and positive partner with agencies in our sector, and beyond.

Our services include counselling, advocacy, family support, group work, psychoeducation, information provision and complementary therapies. In addition, we deliver an expansive capacity building and engagement program with refugee communities and provide specialist trauma-informed training programs to professionals in the health, mental health, community, education, legal and government sectors.

Foundation House also plays an active role in the provision of policy advice and advocacy to state and federal governments for improvements in policies and programs that affect the lives of refugees and asylum seekers.

Your impact

As a Counsellor Advocate, you will work with our trauma recovery framework to provide assessment and counselling using a diverse range of developmentally appropriate psychosocial therapeutic interventions. These services will be accessible, trauma-informed, culturally safe, and appropriate to the needs of our clients and their families.

Your role will also involve a range of advocacy including accompanied appointments, facilitated referrals, and liaison with relevant health, community, education, and legal services to support access to, and responsiveness of those services. Your work will also inform the systemic advocacy Foundation House does in the areas of government policies and programs.

For further details on our Counsellor Advocate model, please refer to our website: https://foundationhouse.org.au/be-involved/careers-with-us/our-counsellor-advocate-model/

About You

We are looking for a Counsellor Advocate who is committed to advancing human rights and is passionate about supporting trauma recovery for refugee background children, young people and families. You will be compassionate, thoughtful, professional, accountable, committed to continuous learning and demonstrate integrity in all you do.

You will embrace working with people from many cultural and religious backgrounds, sexual orientations, and gender identities. You will demonstrate flexibility in providing support to our clients.

We have ongoing positions available across our offices in Sunshine, Dandenong, Dallas and Ringwood and are offering between 0.8 EFT and 1 EFT.

What you’ll need

To be successful, you will need to positively respond to the below selection criteria:

• Relevant tertiary qualifications in psychology, social work, counselling, or other related discipline.
• Demonstrated experience and expertise to undertake comprehensive psychosocial assessments and risk assessments with children, young people and their families.
• In depth understanding of child development and relevant theories for working with children, young people and their families.
• Demonstrated expertise in providing trauma-focused therapeutic counselling interventions with children and young people, using a range of evidence-based modalities in a culturally appropriate and safe way.
• Good understanding of how to negotiate and advocate with multiple service systems in Victoria to support the needs of refugee and asylum seeker children, young people, and families.
• Ability to write professional psychosocial reports for a variety of key stakeholders including legal and government bodies.

In return

You’ll be rewarded with:

• An attractive remuneration package, ranging between $102,554 and $107,079 plus superannuation
• Salary packaging benefits of up to $18,550 and novated car leasing options.
• A role with true purpose to make a difference in people’s lives.
• A welcoming, highly diverse and supportive team environment.
• Excellent training and professional development.
• Generous leave provisions with option to purchase additional leave.
• Access to our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for staff and family members.

Foundation House is an inclusive employer.

Foundation House is an equal opportunity employer; we foster a work environment that is inclusive and diverse. We are values driven and are committed to improving the life outcomes of refugees and asylum seekers.

Foundation House is a state-wide agency offering services throughout Victoria. We currently have approximately 250 staff across our five offices in Brunswick, Dallas, Dandenong, Ringwood and Sunshine, and we also provide services in partnership with other agencies in regional and rural Victoria.

Foundation House is a Child Safe organisation committed to promoting and protecting the interests and safety of children. We actively play a part in combating family violence, as reflected in our organisational policies, protocols and staff development.

Read more about our history on our website: https://foundationhouse.org.au/about-us/our-history/

How to apply

For information including how to apply and our background check requirements, please refer to our website:  https://foundationhouse.org.au/be-involved/careers-with-us/our-hiring-process/

To apply, please upload your CV and a cover letter (maximum one to two pages) outlining why you are suitable for this role and how you meet the selection criteria as described above.

Please refer to our website for a copy of the position description for further detailed information about the role: .https://hcm616.peoplestreme.net/foundationhouse/erec_external.asp

Please note, applications will be considered as they are received.
For enquiries please contact Zaheera Deen, HR and reporting specialist on 03 9389 8969 or via  [email protected]

If you think you have what it takes but don’t necessarily meet all selection criteria, please still get in touch as we would love to talk with you and see if you could be a suitable fit.

Hiring is subject to satisfactory Police Check, current Working with Children Check, and proof of the right to work and live in Australia.