The Domestic Violence Action Centre (DVAC) works with individuals and communities to eliminate, prevent and respond to domestic and family violence, and sexual violence.

Join Ipswich and Toowoomba’s leading Domestic Violence organisation reducing the prevalence and impact of gender-based violence for over 25 years.

about the children's counsellor role

The Children’s Counsellor is required to provide:

• Outreach to community and school locations to children and young people who are impacted or at risk of experiencing domestic and family violence.
• Short – medium term virtual and/or face to face counselling services, youth initiatives including groups to children and young people living within Ipswich, Toowoomba, Darling Downs and Southern Downs regions.
• Individual risk and needs assessments, safety planning and case management.

key responsibilities and outcomes

• Provide specialist attachment and trauma informed individual counselling to children and young people who have experienced or are experiencing domestic and family violence or at risk of using violence in their dating relationships.
• Provide dyadic and systemic intervention planning with clients to support attachment relationships as appropriate.
• Undertake face to face or virtual risk and needs assessment, case planning with children and young people and in some cases for children under 14 years their non-offending parent or caregiver.
• Undertake and/or participate in case coordination and case management of clients where required.
• Report risk management issues that may impact upon the safety and health of clients to the Counselling Team Leader.
• Support and resource service providers in relation to any aspect of domestic violence.

preferred qualifications & requirements

• Possession of relevant tertiary qualifications in Social Work, Psychology or Counselling.
• Experience in delivering trauma informed counselling, school based and group activities and recovery to children and young people.
• Demonstrated knowledge, experience and or the opportunity to develop knowledge of Child development, trauma, attachment, and the impact of trauma from domestic & family violence on child development.
• Experience and skills in working in community-based organisations utilising a feminist perspective and its application in working against domestic and family violence and sexual violence.
• Knowledge and skills to ensure the provision of cultural, gender and age-appropriate services to clients.
• Well-developed interpersonal and communication skills.
• Working knowledge of the Domestic & Family Violence Protection Act 2012 and knowledge of Court and legislative proceedings as they relate to the Act, and working knowledge of the Child Protection Act 1999 Qld.
• All DVAC staff are required to complete a National Police Check upon successful offer of position.
• Current driver’s licence and Blue Card.
• Covid-19 Vaccination or medical exemption.

A position description is attached.