• Employment Status - Initial term two-year P/T Contract 3-days per/week
• Grade - SCHADS Level 5 + superannuation + salary packaging options
• Conditions - Identified position - Women Only. Sect 31 Anti-Discrimination Act 1977(NSW) applies. Relevant criminal records and WWC checks will be conducted on the recommended applicant.

Summary

The Communities for Children Specialist Counsellor provides specialised, high-level counselling knowledge and skills to support vulnerable families with children 0-12 years old living in the Wyong Shire. The focus of the role is to provide short/medium-term counselling for women who are carers or parents of children 0-12 years, focusing on the impact of family trauma on children within the family unit.

Working alongside the CfC team and broader Client Services team, the CfC Counsellor is responsible for providing trauma-informed, strength-based, and client-centred crisis response and counselling aimed at strengthening capacity to support families and children aged from birth to 12 years. There will also be opportunities to facilitate group activities and training sessions relevant to the CfC program objectives.

This role involves direct client interaction and provides expert guidance to employees at lower classification grades.
CCCWHC operates from a person-centred, trauma-informed, and feminist perspective. This approach recognises and addresses the various ways in which women’s well-being is influenced by a wide range of social, cultural, economic, and biological factors.

Specific responsibilities

The core responsibilities of this role are:

• Deliver trauma-informed, strengths-based counselling for women in the Wyong Shire who are carers or parents of children 0-12 years, focusing on the impact of family trauma on children within the family unit.
• Provide a service that is client-centred, non-judgemental, feminist, supportive and responsive.
• Work collaboratively with the CfC and broader CCCWHC Team to provide holistic care.
• Undertake risk assessments, safety planning and use therapeutic tools to facilitate individual and group work.
• Facilitate group activities and training sessions relevant to the CfC program objectives.
• Support the Client Services Manager with the implementation of the relevant policies, procedures and evaluations.
• Build relationships with external stakeholders and agencies to support positive client outcomes.

Qualifications

• University/tertiary qualification in Social Work, Psychology, Welfare/Community Services or related degree with at least three years of work experience providing trauma-informed counselling or therapeutic care.
• Current registration with relevant accredited professional bodies such as AHPRA, ARCAP, ACA etc. if relevant.

Experience/skills

• Minimum of two years’ industry experience providing short/medium term trauma-informed counselling for women and/or families
• An understanding of a social model of health & how it applies to the provision of women’s health within a feminist framework
• Demonstrated ability to advocate on behalf of women, undertake appropriate referral processes and provide relevant information
• Ability to develop and maintain community networks
• Ability to maintain client records according to legislative requirements
• Demonstrated ability to work as an effective member of a team
• Proven administration/computer/ internet/email skills
• Completion of recognised Child Protection and Domestic Violence Training
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multi-disciplinary team
• High-level interpersonal and communication skills (written and oral)
• Well-developed time management skills with the ability to meet deadlines
• Sensitivity to working with vulnerable women and women from diverse backgrounds, including CALD women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, women with a disability and LGBTIQ women