• Part time (0.6 FTE) till 30 June 2025

First Nations People, LGBTIQA+ people, people with disability, people of color, public housing residents or people with a lived experience are encouraged to apply.

DS is committed to child safety and strictly adheres to the Reportable Conduct Scheme for organisations. The safeguarding and wellbeing of our clients is our core focus. All staff must undergo thorough recruitment process including screening and providing evidence of current Working with Children Check and National Police Check.

Drummond Street Services (DS) provides intersectional, complex trauma informed and healing and/or recovery-oriented services. Sitting under the umbrella of our Complex Trauma Service, DS’ high quality, confidential, free, independent Redress Support Service (RSS) is for survivors of institutional child sexual abuse and their families and loved ones. We support survivors to safely complete their application to the National Redress Scheme (NRS) and provide the ongoing counselling offered as part of their successful outcome.

About the role

DS is seeking an experienced Complex Trauma Practitioner to become part of the team on a part-time contract basis until the 30 June 2025.

Reporting to the Manager, Complex Trauma, you will play a key role in helping survivors write and submit their applications to the NRS. You will be part of a multidisciplinary complex trauma-informed team known for its delivery of high quality, client-led counselling, case work and advocacy services. At times, you will be required to work in collaboration with your team members and other DS programs to promote the safety and stability of your clients and their families. Additionally, you will be expected to assertively engage the community to drive awareness of the RSS to drive referrals for people who are incarcerated.

This role is based in Carlton, with occasional travel in metropolitan Melbourne and to regional Victoria required.

About You

You are a skilled counselling practitioner with complex trauma experience and some experience in case work. You are looking to become part of a team committed to social justice and intersectionality. You can share and build knowledge to support complex trauma responsive practice that centres the voice of survivors who may also be people with disabilities, who have experiences of trauma due to violence, abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

About Drummond Street Services

DS is a not-for-profit, non-denominational agency that has over 130 years in the development and delivery of innovative services that strengthen families and communities. We have a strong focus on evidence-based/informed practice and across the prevention, early intervention, treatment and recovery spectrum of universal and targeted support. We supported survivors to tell their story to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse and continue to support survivors to seek justice through the National Redress Scheme and our Redress Counselling and Psychological Care Service (formerly known as Restore Counselling).

Following years of sustained advocacy by people with disabilities, in 2019 the Commonwealth Government established the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability. DS supported people with disabilities to share their experiences to to inform Australian governments, institutions and the wider community on how to prevent, and better protect, people with disability from experiencing violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation in the future.

DS’ Complex Trauma Service provides state-wide, complex trauma informed counselling, case work and advocacy services. These are accessible, client-focused and meet the needs of people of survivors, their families, carers, support workers and advocates. The Complex Trauma Service offers a model of support and advocacy that is flexible, compassionate, respectful, empowering and holistic with the aim of addressing individual client needs and undertaking systematic advocacy.

DS’ employment policy assertively engages people experiencing access barriers, marginalisation and/or discrimination, prioritising First Nations people, people of colour, and/or those identifying as LGBTIQA+, with a specific focus on public housing residents.

Key Selection Criteria:  

Essential

• Tertiary qualification in a relevant field (i.e., Psychology, Social Work, Mental Health and Counselling) plus additional training and experience related to delivery of trauma informed counselling services for people who experience complex trauma.
• Accreditation with a relevant professional body.
• A minimum of two years’ experience in the counselling, family services and/or mental health sectors.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience working with survivors of institutional child sexual abuse and people with disability.
• Demonstrated knowledge of complex trauma and healing and recovery approaches to intervention.
• Demonstrated knowledge and application of a range of therapeutic approaches for individuals, couples, and/or families.
• Demonstrated genuine interest and commitment to collaborating with LGBTIQA+, First Nation, and people of colour in a way that is affirming.
• Must be available to work Tuesday 12-8pm.

Highly Desirable

• Experience working within the criminal justice system.
• Demonstrated experience with providing interventions that support individuals and families with multiple and complex needs such as experiencing barriers to the NDIS, or DSP, complex communication, mental health, family violence and drug and alcohol issues.
• Demonstrated experience in community engagement and health promotion.
• You identify as belonging to LGBTIQA+ communities, as well as other communities with whom DS assertively engages.
• Applicants who have a lived experience of disability are encouraged to apply. 

Application process

All applications will be directed to our careers portal – Complex Trauma Practitioner – Corrections Engagement.

To be considered for shortlisting, applicants must include a resume and with a cover letter addressing all the key selection criteria for the position

To discuss your application further please contact Vicki Khouri, Manager on 03 9663 6733 or [email protected] using the subject line: Complex Trauma Practitioner (Redress Support Service) - Corrections Engagement enquiry via EthicalJobs.

A position description is attached.