AddressDue to organisational growth Gladstone Women's Health are seeking dynamic Sexual Violence Counsellors will be responsible for the provision of a range of specialist therapeutic counselling and case management, risk management and safety planning interventions with women who have been affected by domestic and family violence, and sexual assault.
Your main responsibilities will include providing specialised counselling to individuals and families who have been affected by domestic and/or Sexual Violence. This will involve offering trauma-informed support and guidance to both adults and children who have experienced or are currently experiencing these types of abuse. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to facilitate group therapy sessions for those who have been impacted by domestic violence and Sexual Violence.
Another important aspect of this role is case coordination and management, where you will be involved in ensuring that clients receive the necessary support and resources. You will also be responsible for reporting any risk management issues that may arise, prioritising the safety and well-being of the clients. Furthermore, you may be required to provide services in schools, specifically focusing on assisting women, children, and young people who have experienced domestic and Sexual Violence. Collaboration with other service providers and maintaining effective communication with colleagues within the organisation will also be essential. Finally, you will be responsible for minor financial tasks and administrative duties related to the program, ensuring that all activities are carried out within the allocated budget.
Duties and Responsibilities
Service Delivery
- Provide individual or group counselling and support that is trauma informed and culturally responsive.
- Complete comprehensive, therapeutic intake assessments with clients requiring domestic and family violence support and counselling.
- Complete comprehensive risk assessments and safety planning where required.
- Appropriately manage and respond to all referrals. Referrals will be from internal sources as well as multiple external stakeholders.
- Complete Home Safety and Security Upgrade assessments and complete all required processes to ensure that this is completed in a timely manner.
- On-refer clients to other services and community organisations to ensure that clients are receiving appropriate support for their presenting needs.
- Actively engage in integrative/collaborative work practices. Maintain confidentiality and duty of care, including identification of family and domestic violence and suicidality.
- Maintain current knowledge of legislative, policy and operations matters related to Sexual Violence.
Leadership:
- Working independently and in collaboration with other staff to provide support to participants and the Gladstone Women’s Health Centre team.
- Project and promote the image of the Centre as being efficient, courteous, and client/customer-based focus.
- All staff employed by the Centre will be privy to sensitive and confronting conversations on a regular basis. In addition to the training and support provided by the employer, the incumbent will have to be mindful of their own personal wellbeing. Commit to supervision and professional development.
Governance:
- Participate in local level networks of government and non-government agencies to contribute to a collaborative response to people who have experienced Sexual Violence.
- Comply with the Centre’s Code of Conduct.
- Maintain a safe work practice in accordance with Workplace Health and Safety legislation.
People Management:
- Ensure that individuals are valued and respected and that care initiatives aim to promote independence and client self-determination.
- Effectively communicate with different levels of employees of the Centre.
Reporting:
- Collating client’s feedback
- Ensure that all client files are completed to a high standard and that all relevant documentation is recorded and stored according to organisational policies and procedures.
Teamwork:
- Commitment to evaluation and monitoring and contributing to evidence-based service improvement.
- Positive involvement and contribution in centre team meetings and de-briefing other team members as required.
- Contribute to the tone and culture of the Centre, model and promote team-based values and behaviours and seek to continually enhance the capability and qualitative aspects of the Centre.
Please note that the responsibilities outlined above are not exhaustive, and only an indication of the work of the role.
Experience & Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in counselling, Social work or Diploma of Counselling with registration/membership (or eligibility for registration) with the Australian Counselling Associated (ACA).
- Well-developed experience and skills in counselling and therapeutic support for individuals who have experience Sexual Violence.
- Demonstrated resilience and aptitude in working with complex and important matters, sound judgement and ability to prioritise competing demands.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to build rapport and foster harmonious and collaborative relationships internally and with external stakeholders.
- Knowledge and skills to ensure the provision of trauma informed services to clients.
- Knowledge and skills to ensure the provision of culturally, gender and age-appropriate services to clients.
- Knowledge regarding feminist practice and its application in working against both domestic & family violence, and Sexual Violence.
- Working knowledge of the Domestic & Family Violence Protection Act 2012 and knowledge of court and legislative proceedings as they relate to the Act.
- Experience and skills in gender-based violence risk assessment, trauma informed practice, safety planning, crisis support and system advocacy.
- Excellent communication skills, particularly in negotiation, advocacy, and conflict resolutions. Understanding of impact of Sexual Violence on victim/survivors, its complexities, and consequences.
- Understanding the impact of Sexual Violence and its effect on women and children and sensitivity to their needs, in particular those of women who are isolated, newly arrived and/or refugee women, women from multicultural backgrounds, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, women who identify as LGBTIQ and women living with disability.
- Quality case notes writing.
- Intermediate Microsoft Office Suite skills (Word. Excel, Outlook).
- Ability to deliver services in accordance with Gladstone Women’s Health Centre service agreements, principles, policies and standards and operational documents.
- Emotional strength to work in an environment where exposed to people who have been abused and who experience mental heal issues.
- Maintain professional standards of practice.
- Practise within an evidence-based framework.
- Participate in ongoing professional development of self and others.
- Ability to successfully pass police check and Working with Children Check (blue card).
- All GWHC staff are required to complete a National Police Check upon successful offer of position.
- Current valid C-class driver’s license.
About you:
- Demonstrated understanding of particular needs and or challenges faced by clients, ability to engage effectively with clients in crises and provide appropriate, trauma-informed support.
- Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain professional working relationships with key stakeholders.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently, part of a team and use initiative.
- Ability to deliver services in accordance with policies, principles, and other operational documents.
- Organisation and planning skills for managing and prioritising competing demands in a complex working environment.
- Excellent communication skills, particularly in negotiation, advocacy, and conflict resolution.
