Position purpose

The Children, Young People and Families Counsellor will support and promote the safety and wellbeing of children and young persons (aged 0– 18 years) who are affected by domestic and family violence.

Classification

Level 5 or 6 of Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Industry Award 2010, dependent on experience and qualifications.

Employment Status

Up to 72.5 hours per fortnight. Salary Packaging available.

Work Location

The counsellor will be required to work at CADA designated locations in Moreton Bay including Caboolture, Redcliffe and Strathpine.

Accountability

Position reports to Manager Children, Young People and Families.

Hours of Work

CADA’s hours of operation are 8 am to 6 pm

ABOUT US

The Centre Against Domestic Abuse (CADA) is a community organisation funded by the Queensland Government to respond to adults and children affected by domestic and family violence. We provide counselling and crisis/court support, referrals, risk assessment and safety planning, and high risk integrated service responses, as well as trauma informed recovery focused support for women. CADA is active in advocacy, community education and early intervention and, prevention strategies work towards a future free from domestic and family violence, in partnership with government and organisations working in the sector. We operate from offices at Caboolture, Redcliffe and Strathpine.

OUR VISION

A future free from domestic and family violence.

OUR MISSION

To provide domestic and family violence support in Moreton Bay through prevention, early intervention, crisis response and recovery to promote safety and healing.

OUR GOALS

• CADA influences and informs the region and is recognised as specialist leaders in prevention and response to domestic and family violence.
• CADA is committed to a strengths based and client centred practice in service provision.
• CADA develops and sustains systems and initiatives that are locally driven and future informed.
• CADA is committed to continuous improvement through reflection and the dedication to excellence.

CADA BENEFITS

CADA has a strong commitment to employee wellbeing and offer:

• Salary packaging: As a not for profit, CADA employees can use part of their gross income to pay for everyday living expenses. This minimises their taxable income giving them more take home pay
• Bonus leave: All employees are gifted days between Christmas and New Year, a preventative health screening leave day and a day off on their birthday (after 12 months of employment)
• Paid Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Three confidential, short term counselling sessions are available for every employee and immediate family per year
• Wellbeing days and initiatives: CADA recognises our teams hard work and commitment. Each year our teams celebrate with a wellbeing day – it could be coffee and canvas or fish and chips by the bay. We also have a dedicated wellbeing group who run initiatives through the year, like massage day
• Six weeks paid parental leave: After 12 months of employment, employees are eligible for six weeks of paid parental leave by CADA. This can also be used for those who may foster and adopt
• Supervision: As well as regular internal supervision sessions, CADA pays for up to five external supervision sessions for all staff members per year
• And much more.

ABOUT THE ROLE

CADA encourages applicants from a variety of backgrounds, we value a diverse workforce and pride ourselves on inclusivity. We offer internal employment and development opportunities. People from an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander background are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Children, Young People and Families Counsellor will provide counselling, education and support to children and young people who are affected by domestic and family violence. The Adolescent Violence in the Home (AVITH) Lead will be a primary practitioner and lead for children and young people using violence and control in the home. The program includes promotion and development of early intervention strategies that address intergenerational domestic violence. This position will provide services in school settings, community education and interagency cooperation to work towards the elimination of domestic and family violence. The position will also work with primary care givers.

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Demonstrates understanding of the nature, drivers and context of domestic, family and sexual violence and trauma
• Upholds dignity and value through healing centred engagement
• Manages risk, prioritising safety and recovery
• Commits to working as part of an integrated organisation and system
• Demonstrates a highly reflective and self aware approach

QUALIFICATION

Possession of a tertiary qualification in Social Sciences, Social Work, Psychology, Counselling, Behaviour Science, or related field and demonstrated experience working with children and young people in a counselling environment (minimum 3 years).

RESPONSIBILITIES

• To provide specialist face to face counselling for children and young people who have experienced or are experiencing domestic and family violence
• To provide specialist case management and counselling to children and young people using violence in the home
• To facilitate parent/carer groups and or work individually with parents/carers to enhance their parenting skills and assist them to build healthy, positive and safe relationships with their children
• To develop appropriate referral networks including with schools, police, legal services, health and counselling/support agencies and provide advocacy, referral and crisis intervention
• Support and develop project and or research focussed on children and young people using violence and control in the home through collaborative project plans. This includes setting goals and objectives, timelines, milestones and resource allocation, to ensure project activities are clearly defined and achievable. The objective is to ensure projects are well organised, efficiently executed and meet the specific needs of individuals affected by domestic and family violence.

ORGANISATIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Comply with CADA policies and procedures
• Maintain accurate client records and other data as required by CADA and funding body
• Work cooperatively and supportively as a member of a team to achieve the smooth and effective functioning of the Service and the achievement of organisational and client goals
• Assist with the development of appropriate written resources and funding opportunities in relation to the Domestic and Family Violence (DFV) issues and prevention
• Participate in CADA events, staff supervision, staff meetings, team building activities
• Assist in the development and facilitation of community education and training to raise awareness of domestic and family violence issues and to increase the capacity of the community and other workers in the region in responding to domestic and family violence

SELECTION CRITERIA

• Comprehensive understanding of the impacts of DFV on children and young people and significant demonstrated experience in early intervention and primary prevention of domestic and family violence. This will include the ability to intentionally and successfully intervene in cases where young people are using violence in the home.
• Demonstrated experience and or knowledge of innovative developmentally appropriate therapeutic intervention practices with children and young people who have experienced DFV to include those who are using coercive control and violence.
• Demonstrated ability to develop project plans, set objectives, and manage project timelines effectively. Familiarity with project management methodologies, tools and software will be highly regarded including proven experience in establishing effective relationships and networks.
• Demonstrated ability to manage self, including seeking help as required to manage and prioritise wellbeing, whilst being an active participant in team to promote a strong and reflective learning culture
• Strong verbal and written communication skills including the ability to communicate in a way that is sensitive, simple, clear and transparent to accommodate a range of people in a variety of settings. Ability to use trauma informed approaches to diffuse and manage escalating behaviour and risk in a timely way
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the needs, issues and sensitivities which impact diverse communities in contemporary society. Demonstrated ability to work effectively and sensitively with people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds including Aboriginal and or Torres Strait Islander peoples, LGBTIQA+, people with all abilities and multifaith communities.

REQUIREMENTS

• Must inform CADA of any domestic and family violence applications or orders naming them as respondent (current or in the past)
• Blue card for Working with Children (Queensland)
• Current Queensland Driver’s Licence

A position description is attached.