• Counsellor / Advocate, Adults and Young People, SCHADS Level 6
• Assisting Survivors of Torture and Trauma
• Employment opportunities for Social workers or psychologists
• For people with a psychology or social work background who have skills in working cross culturally with survivors of torture and trauma.

Are you interested in working with adults and young people from refugee backgrounds? Join an innovative and supportive counselling team.

People with strong cross cultural skills and/or experience working with trauma are encouraged to apply.

Companion House is a non-government, community based organisation. We provide services and support to adults and children who have sought refuge in Australia from persecution, torture and war related trauma.

Working at Companion House is rewarding, interesting and well supported by a motivated and professional staff team. Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity.

Level 6 position under the SCHADS (Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services) Award , plus salary sacrifice options

The positions are well supported through internal supervision and an external clinical supervisor

Expressions of interest to be lodged before COB on the advertised closing date.

Further information www.companionhouse.org.au or phone (02) 6251 4550.

Position Description

Counsellor/Advocates work with adults and young people who are survivors of torture and trauma or who are affected by the torture/trauma experiences of others. The position is focused predominantly on assessment and intervention with adults and young people who come from a refugee background or who are in the process of seeking asylum.

This work includes both short term intervention and longer term intervention and support.

These positions are supervised by the Team Leader of the Counselling Team. The positions will also have some training and community education responsibilities and may work with group work or community development projects as negotiated and appropriate.

Duty Statement

Core duties:

• Maintain and build strong relationships and trust with survivors of torture and trauma from refugee backgrounds, including asylum seekers.
• Provide information and orientation to Companion House services and role.
• Carry out structured and documented psycho-social assessments of the needs of adults who are referred to the counselling/advocacy program.
• Ensure documented assessment and case notes and formal 6 monthly client review
• Conduct counselling and other therapeutic interventions with individuals, families and groups.
• Provide advocacy support including assistance to access social entitlements.

Professional commitments:

• Participation in Companion House team commitments including team building days, peers supervision and staff meetings.
• Identify and participate in appropriate professional development to build on therapeutic skills and knowledge of client group.
• Participate in external clinical supervision with appropriate professional, regular supervision with internal supervisor and annual performance review.
• Carry out core duties with an understanding of and commitment to Companion House policies and procedures, practice frameworks and the implementation of standards.
• Structure work to fall into priorities identified in the Companion House Annual Plan
• Assist mainstream services and other organisations to understand the needs of survivors of torture and trauma.

Selection Criteria ( Counsellor/Advocate, Adults)

Essential:

• Understanding of the impact of torture/trauma experiences on health and psychosocial functioning.
• Minimum of degree level qualifications in social work, psychology or a relevant discipline, demonstrated ability to provide assessment and therapeutic interventions and advocacy for a diverse range of people.
• Demonstrated experience in provision of trauma informed care.
• Ability to structure work according to Companion House policies and procedures, practice frameworks and implementation of standards.
• Skills in cross-cultural counselling with adults and children with a proven ability to provide therapeutic interventions for those affected by trauma highly desirable.
• Ability to work in a multi-disciplinary team with a range of health professionals.
• Demonstrated ability to organise workload and work within agreed frameworks.
• Understanding or ability to acquire knowledge of refugee settlement services and other relevant support structures.
• Current drivers licence

Desirable:

• Experience in working with refugees and an understanding of refugee settlement in Australia or another country
• Skills in community languages.