Adolescent And Family Counsellor

HELP YOUNG AUSTRALIANS MOVE BEYOND DRUGS AND CRIME. JOIN THE TED NOFFS FOUNDATION, AUSTRALIA’S LARGEST PROVIDER OF DRUG TREATMENT FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. 

Type: Full Time

Location: Townsville, QLD

Remuneration: Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award 2010 (Level 5) + full salary packaging options available

About Us:               

Originally named The Wayside Foundation, The Ted Noffs Foundation was established in 1970 by the Australian humanitarian, Reverend Ted Noffs, and renamed in 1992 to honour his life’s work. The organisation’s early work helped co-found Lifeline, the first drug referral centre and The Freedom Ride (https://aiatsis.gov.au/explore/1965-freedom-ride). Charlie Perkins and Ted Noffs alongside Ken Brindle and Bill Geddes also co-founded the Foundation for Aboriginal Affairs in 1964 (https://dictionaryofsydney.org/entry/foundation_for_aboriginal_affairs) which was one of the first organisations aiming to achieve equality for First Nations people. The Ted Noffs Foundation went on to pioneer drug treatment for young Australians.

The Ted Noffs Foundation services are focused on helping young people with drug, crime and mental health issues and have achieved significant success. We run services across NSW, ACT and QLD with over 150 staff and nearly 300 volunteers committed to helping disadvantaged young Australians.

The Role:

The successful candidate will provide counselling support to young people experiencing substance use and mental health issues through engagement, case management and counselling. A major aspect is to assist young people to rebuild their relationships with their families and other significant people in their lives and to manage their lives more effectively.

This role will join our team in The Street University Townsville, a non-residential treatment centre to help those aged 12-25 with drug, crime and mental health issues. The centre is a unique and safe environment where young people can engage in workshops ranging from music and dance to computer coding. Evidence-based counselling is available to help our youth reduce their drug use and involvement in crime and to improve their mental health and wellbeing.

The Street University in Townsville has a strong focus to work with local First Nations young people and provide them with tailored care and support. 

This is not a formally identified First Nations position under section 25 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1991 (QLD), it is our preference that the candidate is a First Nations person. Should the applicant be a non First Nations person, it is essential that the candidate has extensive knowledge and experience working with First Nation communities, including First Nation young people and families.

Responsibilities and duties include, but not limited to:

• Conduct thorough assessments of clients.
• Provide individual counselling as required.
• Provide family counselling (or refer) and other relationship counselling as required.
• Provide individual case work support and refer to other parties as required.
• Liaise effectively with referrers, other service providers and families to ensure best service for the client.
• Create and manage effective referral pathways for clients to access the service.
• Arrange community networking for a young person to encourage positive interactions in a safe and supportive environment.
• Deliver case management services for young people as appropriate.
• Maintain client records, statistical records and provide reports as required.
• Develop and maintain referral pathways.
• Travel within the catchment areas providing AOD counselling services.

Essential Selection Criteria

• Relevant tertiary qualifications e.g. psychology, counselling, social work.
• Experience and demonstrated ability to work with young people between the ages of 12 and 25 years old.
• Experience in conducting clinical assessments, developing treatment plans, providing effective and compassionate individual counselling, delivering appropriate clinical interventions, and communicating clearly within a multidisciplinary team.
• Demonstrated understanding of First Nations cultures and communities.
• Extensive experience in working with First Nations young people.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively both as a team member and as a practitioner with minimal supervision in an outreach setting.
• Strong personal and interpersonal boundaries.
• Must hold and maintain a valid QLD Blue Card and Driver’s Licence.

 Desirable Selection Criteria   

• Experience in the drug and alcohol sector.
• Registration or eligible for membership with AHPRA or other professional association.
• Minimum 2 years direct counselling experience.

How To Apply

Submit your application via SEEK with a Resume and a Cover Letter addressing the selection criteria. 

As interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis, applicants are encouraged to apply at the earliest point and will be highly regarded. Interviews may be offered upon application.

Please note only successful applicants will be contacted. For further information, contact us at ****@noffs.org.au.