Position purpose

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

Classification

Level 5 of Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Industry Award 2010.

Employment Status

Up to 72.5 per fortnight. Salary Packaging available.

Work Location

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

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, family and sexual 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, family and sexual 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, family and sexual 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, up to two wellbeing days per year and a day off for their birthday!
• Paid Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Three confidential, short term counselling sessions are available for every employee and immediate family per year
• Wellbeing 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 internal supervision with Managers, CADA pays for up to four external supervisions for every staff member per year. For identified employees, cultural supervision will be provided.
• And much more.

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.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Children, Young People and Families First Nations Counsellor will predominantly provide support, counselling, case management to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people who are affected by domestic, family and sexual violence. The program includes promotion and development of early intervention strategies that address inter-generational domestic violence. This position will also provide services in school settings, community education and interagency cooperation to work towards the elimination of domestic, family and sexual violence. The position also works with primary safe caregivers however, we do not work with the person using violence.

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

Possess or working towards 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.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• To provide specialist face to face support, counselling and case management for children and young people who have experienced or are at risk of experiencing domestic, family and sexual violence
• To facilitate and coordinate therapeutic and psycho-educational groups for children and young people who have witnessed or been exposed to domestic, family and sexual violence
• 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 pathways and networks including with First Nations agencies, workers and services.
• To provide support and consultation as required to the CYPF team around issues impacting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the Moreton Bay community.
• Associated administrative tasks.

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 team member 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 in relation to the domestic family and sexual violence issues and prevention
• Participate in CADA events, staff supervision, staff meetings and team building activities
• Assist in the development and facilitation of community education and training to raise awareness of domestic, family and sexual violence issues and to increase the capacity of the community and other workers in the region in responding to domestic, family and sexual violence

SELECTION CRITERIA

1. Demonstrated ability to work effectively and sensitively with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples. impacted by domestic, family and sexual violence.
2. Understands the nature, drivers and contexts of domestic, family and sexual violence, including knowledge of how violence impacts Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, young people and families. Demonstrated experience in providing support, counselling and/or case management to address the impacts of domestic, family and sexual violence and/or complex trauma for children and young people and the ability to support safe parent/carers in their own and their children’s recovery.
3. Strong verbal and written communications skills ad demonstrated ability to create effective working relationships with colleagues and teams in domestic, family and sexual violence or similar human services field.
4. Demonstrated ability to facilitate group work with children, young people and parent/carers including psychoeducational, community education and/or training.
5. Demonstrated ability to manage self whilst being an active participant in team to promote a strong and reflective learning culture. Strong organisational skills including the ability to multitask and manage competing priorities and meet deadlines.

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

COVID-19 VACCINATION POLICY

All CADA employees are required to have received two doses of a TGA approved COVID-19 vaccine OR have an approved medical contraindication certificate. You will be required to show proof of your COVID-19 vaccination status prior to securing this role.

A position description is attached.