Purpose and General Responsibilities of the Position

The purpose of the Domestic and Family Violence (DFV) Counsellor is to provide counselling and court support for community members affected by domestic and family violence.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

1. Provide DFV assessment and counselling services to adults.
2. Provide counselling to children and young people experiencing or at risk or experiencing DFV.
3. Facilitate the discussion with service users to assist them to achieve their goals, and promote links to networks and community inclusions.
4. Support service users to access legal information, advice and referrals.
5. Provision of security upgrades to the homes of people experiencing DFV to enable them to remain in their own homes where it is safe to do so, as part of an individual safety plan.
6. Provide Court Support to people affected by DFV.
7. Provide information about court processes including the meaning of domestic violence orders to respondents and referral to other services.
8. Establish and maintain effective networks and relationships with other service providers and local agencies to promote the service and develop referral pathways.
9. Adhere to the delivery of HCSS activities in accordance with the BCA Quality System and relevant Service Standards and Quality Framework.
10. Liaise with internal and external service users exercising a high level of interpersonal and communication skills to enable effective and efficient coordination of service delivery.
11. Assist the Service Manager with the facilitation of HCSS DFV prevention and awareness events. This may occasionally be after office hours or on weekends.
12. Complete HCSS databases, registers, records and service user files in a confidential and sensitive manner in accordance with the Privacy Act and BCA’s policies and procedures.
13. Communicate with the general public in a manner which will enhance the image of the BCA.
14. Comply with the standards and conditions set out by the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 and other relevant policy and procedures, Service Standards and relevant state and federal legislations. Regularly perform quality assurance compliance checks to ensure quality standards are being met.
15. Collect and maintain statistics in the appropriate registers that assist in the administration for the HCSS governance and reporting requirements.
16. Assistance to the Service Manager and perform additional duties as required.

Position Requirements / Key Selection Criteria

1. Demonstrated experience in the Human Services Industry (Essential).
2. Minimum Certificate IV in Domestic and Family Violence, Counselling or equivalent (Desirable).
3. Demonstrated experience in counselling individuals using a range of intervention techniques and therapeutic approaches to support individuals who have experienced Domestic and/or Family Violence (Desirable).
4. Demonstrated ability to work with people from diverse cultural backgrounds with specific reference to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people (Desirable).
5. Experience in child protection, foster and kinship care systems (Desirable).
6. To provide a high and consistent level of service to, and communicate openly and effectively with service users, associates, colleagues and visitors.
7. To actively participate in the promotion of a team environment.  To act in a polite and courteous manner and professionally at all times.  Understand and adhere to the values of the BCA and the professional service boundaries there-in.
8. To attend and actively participate in relevant training programs and meetings as required.
9. High level of organisational skills, initiative and self-motivation to perform tasks within specified time frames under limited supervision.
10. Experience in working independently and as part of a flexible multi-disciplinary team to ensure the smooth operation of support services to service users.
11. Demonstrated commitment to quality practices based on strong work ethic, empathy, fairness, flexibility and confidentiality.
12. Knowledge and understanding of contemporary human resource management issues including policies and procedures, working team relationships, workplace health and safety, conflict resolution and anti-discrimination; and demonstrated commitment to their application.
13. Demonstrated ability in general office administration, including the use of computers and office equipment, and proficiency in Windows based software programs.
14. Hold a current Qld ‘C’ Class Driver’s License.
15. Hold a Qld Blue Card and Qld Disability Worker Clearance or be able to obtain one.

How To Apply For This Position:

Applications must include a cover letter, a current resume and statements addressing the selection criteria found in the Position Description which can be obtained from The Support Centre, 130 Queen St, Ayr, by phoning 47833744 or emailing [email protected]