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 Child Youth and Family Team Leader in our South East region based in Dandenong, you will lead a team of skilled and committed Counsellor Advocates (CAs) to provide safe, person-centred, effective and connected services. This role needs to provide responsive and supportive leadership to their team to enable them to deliver assessment, counselling and advocacy using a diverse range of developmentally appropriate psychosocial therapeutic interventions which are accessible, trauma informed, culturally safe and appropriate to the needs of refugee background survivors of torture and trauma, and their families. You will assume responsibility for providing line management and overall direction to CAs in their work with clients, aligned with the Foundation House Trauma Recovery Framework and Rebuilding Shattered Lives: Integrated Trauma Recovery for People of Refugee Background (2nd edition). You will also undertake some work with directly with children, young people and their families, with responsibility for a small caseload and/or taking on some complex clients and working co-jointly with CAs. 

You will work with the regional leadership team to support service delivery and staff across the region, identifying gaps in the service systems relevant to the needs of our clients, building excellent stakeholder relationships in consultation with the Regional Manager, and influencing to improve the responsiveness of those service systems. Your work will also draw from your understanding of the refugee communities we serve, and inform the broader advocacy Foundation House does in the areas of government policies and programs. 

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

About You 

We are looking for a Team Leader who is committed to advancing human rights and taking up a leadership role supporting trauma recovery for refugee background children and young people. You will be highly skilled and experienced in undertaking counselling and therapeutic interventions with children and young people, with demonstrated ability to lead, support and develop a team. You will be compassionate, thoughtful, professional, accountable, committed to continuous learning and demonstrate integrity in all you do. 

You will embrace providing services to clients from many cultural and religious backgrounds, sexual orientations, and gender identities. You will demonstrate flexibility in providing support to our clients and their families.   

We have an ongoing 0.8 – 1 EFT position available.

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 with postgraduate qualifications highly regarded.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, supervise and support a diverse team of practitioners.
• Advanced skills in undertaking psychosocial assessment, formulation, planning and care coordination for children and young people, including risk assessments with a family lens, and experience supervising and supporting other staff in these areas.
• Advanced understanding of child development and relevant theories for working with children, young people and their families. 
• Advanced understanding of the impacts of complex trauma, with advanced skills in trauma informed practice and providing trauma-focussed counselling interventions with children and young people using a range of evidence-based modalities.
• Excellent 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.
• Demonstrated ability to provide culturally safe and appropriate services. 
• Ability to write and review 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 of $120,338 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 two pages) outlining why you are suitable for this role and how you meet the selection criteria as described above. Please refer to the position description on our website for detailed information about the role.  

Applications for this position close on 11:59 PM Sunday 27 August 2023.

Please note, applications will be considered as they are received, and interviews may be held prior to the closing date.

For enquiries, please contact Jasmina Mulugeta, Manager South East Region on 0417 333 450 or via email: [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.