Child and Family Counsellor

• Make a meaningful difference in the lives of children and families
• Part time opportunity (4 days/week) until 30 June 2027 with a NFP organisation based in Bairnsdale
• $55.72 - $58.19 p/hr (SCHADS Level 6) + Super + Salary Packaging up to $15,900

About the opportunity
The ACF Child and Family Counsellor position is employed and managed by ACF and works as part of the TRAK Forward program which is delivered in partnership with Anglicare Victoria and aims to promote the recovery of parents and children who have experienced family violence. The TRAK Forward program supports child, adolescent and adult victim survivors of family violence, offering a range of individual and dyadic interventions, as well as groupwork programs as recommended by the Family Violence Royal Commission.

This role is part of the TRAK Forward program in Outer Gippsland and will co-locate at the Anglicare office in Bairnsdale. TRAK Forward uses a trauma-informed, culturally safe and phased based treatment framework to aid families in their recovery journey.

This role will also have capacity to provide tailored support to children, young people, families and agencies as part of a fee for service therapeutic model where innovative therapeutic support is being sought.

Australian Childhood Foundation
The Australian Childhood Foundation is a leading not-for-profit organisation dedicated to supporting children and young people to recover from the impacts of abuse, neglect, and family violence. We provide specialist therapeutic services, advocacy, and education programs underpinned by cultural humility and the latest research in neuroscience, attachment, and trauma. Our work is driven by a commitment to creating safe, supportive environments where every child can thrive.

About you - Key Selection Criteria:

• An appropriate tertiary qualification in Psychology, Social Work, or a related discipline.
• Eligibility for membership of the relevant professional association.
• Experience working in a therapeutic context with children/young people who have experienced family violence.
• Demonstrated ability to provide direct service in the clinical assessment and therapeutic support of children, young people, and families.
• A well-developed understanding of the effects of violence and trauma on women and children/adolescents and an understanding of contemporary responses to these issues.
• A well-developed understanding of the gendered nature of violence against women and children/adolescents and relevant theories and frameworks to understand and respond to this including but not exclusively feminist theory and Practice Guidelines: Women and children’s family violence counselling and support programs.
• Demonstrated understanding of and ability to use the MARAM and Information Sharing Schemes.
• Highly developed ability to provide secondary consultation and advice to other
• professionals.
• Demonstrated knowledge of trauma, attachment, gender and neurobiology frameworks and theories.
• Substantial experience in the area of child abuse, family violence and/or in working with traumatised children.
• Demonstrated commitment to working collaboratively and participate in care team approaches with children, young people, parents, families, DFFH, other agencies and the community in culturally safe ways
• Strong skills in written and verbal communication.
• A current Victorian driver’s licence or equivalent.
• A current Working with Children check or equivalent.

What we offer

• Salary Packaging – Increase your take-home pay with up to $15,900 of tax-free benefits.
• Wellbeing Support – Access to confidential Employee Assistance program
• National Network – Connect with a passionate professional community across Australia.
• Guided Supervision – Regular individual and group supervision to support your growth.
• Values-Driven Culture: Be part of a trauma-informed, child-focused organisation that puts children’s needs and voices at the centre of everything we do.
• Real Impact – Contribute to innovative programs that create meaningful change for children, young people and families.

To learn more about our work and the impact we’re making for children and families, please visit: https://www.childhood.org.au/

To Apply:
If you are interested in making a difference in the lives of children, please click APPLY and attach a copy of your current resume along with a cover letter, addressing each of the Key Selection Criteria.
🔎 For a copy of the Position Description please visit: https://auschildhood.sharepoint.com/sites/HumanResourcesHub/Shared Documents/Forms/AllItems.aspx?viewid=4331ad9e-bc83-4125-b7da-8b4da2d43d07&id=/sites/HumanResourcesHub/Shared Documents/External Access/Position Description/PD - ACF Child and Family Counsellor TRAK Forward Program Outer Gippsland VN450.pdf&parent=/sites/HumanResourcesHub/Shared Documents/External Access/Position Description

Applications close on 2 January 2025, unless a suitable candidate is appointed earlier.

Australian Childhood Foundation is committed to protecting children and young people from harm. We require all applicants to undergo an extensive screening process prior to appointment including National Police Check, Working with Children Checks and additional State based program checks.
Australian Childhood Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with cultural and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and people with a disability are strongly encouraged to apply. Members of the LGBITQ+ community are strongly encouraged to apply.