Mental Health Practitioner - Queerspace And Family Violence Response

We are looking for Mental Health Accredited Social Workers (or those who are ready to go through the AMHSW process) and/or Fully registered Psychologists/Clinical Psychologists

• Fixed term contract until 30th June 2025, with option of extension dependent on funding 
• LGBTIQA+ people, First Nations People, people with disability, people of colour, 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.

About the role

Drummond Street Services (DS) delivers responsive, intentional and evidence-based prevention, early intervention and treatment programs, within a public health framework for a range of communities, including a range of Family Violence programs. We strive to build and enhance the innate resilience of children, young people, adults, their families and communities and to increase protective factors. Growth in our services has led to a range of new exciting opportunities to join our team, including a Targeted Psychological Services (TPS) Practitioner, Queerspace and Family Violence Response. 

Working within Queerspace and the Family Violence Response Team, the TPS Practitioner will lead and provide high quality therapeutic, Mental Healthand Family Violence services to LGBTIQA+ people and their families, and other clients, within DS’ Family Services Model of Practice. Based primarily in Carlton, with one or two direct reports, you will also support the team to provide secondary consultation, reflective practice, training and co-work to other staff and programs across our organisation. Ideal candidates are passionate, committed to social justice and cultural safety, are trauma informed and are affirmative of all children, young people, families, adults and communities.

Your responsibilities

• Provision of psychological services to clients under Better Access and/or TPS programs
• Provision of inspired, supportive supervision through coaching and mentoring with a focus on the development of service outcomes for clients and the quality practice and performance management of staff individually and in teams.
• Collaborate with a trans-disciplinary team to ensure delivery of high quality, client led counselling, Family Violence and support services across Queerspace and the Family Violence Response Team
• Contribute to and foster a positive and affirmative team environments
• Contribute to the preparation of reports for funders
• Ensure performance targets are met and that data and evaluation material is collected and input into our client information systems consistently and in a timely way

About you 

• You have at least two years of post-graduate work experience in a counselling role (f/t)
• Highly skilled and experienced individual and group practitioner eligible to provide psychological services to clients under Better Access and/or TPS programs
• Demonstrate knowledge and application of LGBTIQA+ specialist and mainstream therapeutic & supportive approaches for individuals and families, including children.
• Demonstrate a strong understanding of child and adolescent development, whole of family practice, recovery-oriented trauma informed practice and the impact of structural disadvantage on individuals, families and communities, such as racism, sexism, Islamophobia, homophobia or transphobia
• Belong to LGBTIQA+ communities, as well as other communities with whom DS assertively engages

Selection Criteria

All of the following must be addressed in your application to be considered.

Essential

• Relevant tertiary qualification in social work or psychology
• Psychologists/Clinical Psychologists – you are fully registered
• Eligibility to provide psychological services to clients under Better Access and/or TPS programs
• Highly skilled and experienced individual and group practitioner
• Demonstrate knowledge and application of LGBTIQA+ specialist and mainstream therapeutic and supportive approaches for families and specifically children and young people with particular focus on early intervention and preventative family-based interventions.
• Demonstrated understanding of a gendered analysis of family and intimate partner violence and the limitations and challenges it offers when working with LGBTIQA+ communities and women, transgender, gender diverse people and young people who are enacting harm
• Demonstrate your genuine interest and commitment to collaborating with First Nation, LGBTIQA+, and people of colour. Use examples.

Desirable

• Social Workers – you want to gain accreditation as an AMHSW and are close to or ready to apply for it with AASW.

A copy of the position description which outlines the full list of responsibilities and key selection criteria is available on our website, ds.org.au

Application process

• Applications close midnight, Sunday 14th April 2024
• All applications will be directed to our careers portal – Mental Health Practitioner- Queerspace and Family Violence Response
• All applicants must include a resume with a cover letter addressing all the key selection criteria for the position
• Suitable applicants that apply before the closing date will be offered an interview

Please contact Tara Dempster-Clark on 03 9663 6*** or ***************@ds.org.au to discuss your application.