School Counsellor

About Youth Off The Streets

Youth Off The Streets is a not-for-profit youth organisation that provides safety, support and opportunities for young people to build a positive future. We offer crisis accommodation and housing services, alternative high school education, alcohol and other drugs counselling, youth justice support, life skills and employment programs, cultural support and community engagement, among other services. We focus on early interventions that empower young people and strengthen communities.

Not all children and young people thrive in mainstream schools. Our registered and accredited independent high schools offer a flexible alternative for students in Years 9–12.

We operate six independent high schools that are registered and accredited with the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA). Youth Off The Streets is also a member of the Association of Independent Schools of NSW (AISNSW).

About the role:

Were are looking for a skilled and passionate School Counsellor to join our School in Blue Haven NSW, you will provide counselling and psychological services to students and their families, assisting them to develop to their potential and take responsibility for their life choices through participation in Youth Off The Streets programs.

Experience, Skills and Abilities:

• Minimum 3 years' experience in direct service provision to young people
• Experience in providing therapeutic counselling to school students with challenging behaviours
• Experience working with Young People with Trauma, PTSD, Depression and Anxiety. 
• Have knowledge of running Solution Focused, CBT, harm minimisation or group sessions
• Be able to conduct, interpret and report on psychometric testing
• Have had exposure to planning and working with parent groups
• Demonstrate knowledge of family and domestic violence and child protection issues
• Knowledge and understanding of relevant legislation pertaining to students and their families
• Demonstrate a thorough understanding of the principles that underpin a child safe organisation including mandatory child protection procedures
• Have an understanding of adolescent development
• Demonstrated capacity to respect and work effectively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and people of diverse cultural backgrounds

Additional skills and experience working with students in an educational setting, young people who present with learning difficulties and/or young people who are in Out of Home Care, and have complex mental health needs and Alcohol and Other Drug issues are desirable qualities. 

Further experience and understanding of the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on school students with a disability (NCCD) requirements and processes is desirable.

Requirements:

The person we seek will ideally have the following:

• Bachelor’s degree in counselling (minimum AQF Level 7)
• Commitment to ongoing professional development (25 points) and supervision (10 hours) per membership year
• 2 years of post-qualification supervised practice
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in direct service provision with students in an educational setting
• A valid and current NSW Working With Children Check
• Valid NSW Drivers Licence
• Full Australian working rights

What we can offer you:

• A supportive team environment
• Career progression and development pathways
• EAP for yourself and your family
• Salary packaging up to $15,900
• Rewards and benefits program

To Apply 

Please ensure you enclose a copy of your resume with your contact details and cover letter addressing the essential criteria (2 pages maximum). 

At Youth Off The Streets, diversity, equity and inclusion are part of our DNA. Together, we continue to build an inclusive culture that encourages, supports, and celebrates the diverse voices of our people. It fuels our innovation and connects us closer to our customers and the communities we serve.

Youth off The Streets is an EEO Employer and a child safe organisation

YOTS is committed to providing a safe environment where all children and young people are treated with respect and are protected from harm. We have zero tolerance for child abuse.

This is a rare opportunity to join a passionate and high profile not for profit organisation that values the youth of today and tomorrow.

The successful candidate will be requested to submit applications for a NSW Working With Children Check and Police Check. You will also be required to have a valid Australian Drivers Licence and unrestricted Australian working rights.

We encourage people who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander to apply for this position.