Child Protection Counsellor

Overview

Join to apply for the Child Protection Counsellor role at Bendigo Advertiser.

About the Role

Support vulnerable families through therapy and advocacy - join a dedicated team making communities safer and stronger every day. This is a Level 3 position with consideration for Level 1/2 applicants if no Level 3 candidates are available. The successful applicant will provide therapy, care coordination, and advocacy to families experiencing child protection concerns, working alongside a team of Child Protection Counsellors and an Aboriginal Health and Family Worker. Our focus is on enhancing child safety, strengthening parenting capacity, and supporting placement stability, restoration, and family preservation. CPCS is an outreach service meeting families in their own communities.

Where You'll Be Working

The CPCS is part of the VAN stream within the Children, Young People and Families network. Based in the Harker Building at Wallsend Health Campus, with ongoing orientation and hands-on learning, and ongoing professional development through our connections with Child Protection Counsellors across the District. Access to ECAV training, regular supervision (individual and group), and peer support helps you grow your skills. We foster a supportive team culture that values knowledge-sharing, mutual respect, and family-centred care.

Responsibilities

• Provide therapy, care coordination, and advocacy to families experiencing child protection concerns.
• Engage with Aboriginal families and communities respectfully and in line with Closing the Gap commitments.
• Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to promote child safety and family preservation.
• Meet families in their communities and support recovery from trauma through evidence-based practice.

About You

• Strong therapeutic skills for supporting families.
• Team player with enthusiasm for working with vulnerable families who have experienced trauma.
• Knowledge of child protection, domestic and family violence, and trauma, with a drive to deepen expertise.
• Commitment to Closing the Gap and working with Aboriginal families and communities.

What We Offer

• Varied, meaningful work with ongoing professional growth opportunities.
• Monthly group supervision, training, clinical review, and evidence-based practice opportunities.
• Strong team connections with VAN services and Aboriginal Family Health Worker collaboration.
• Free onsite parking and flexible work practices.

Remuneration and Conditions

Remuneration: $77,358 – $113,226 per annum (dependent on qualifications) + superannuation + salary packaging. Location: Wallsend Campus. Employment Type: Temporary Full Time – Until December 2025. Position Classification: Level 3 (with consideration for Level 1/2 applicants).

Requirements

• Must hold Level 3 tertiary qualifications and relevant experience in Social Work, Psychology, or Clinical Psychology, with eligibility or membership in the relevant professional association and/or general registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
• Eligibility to drive in NSW and willingness and ability to travel for work purposes.

Other Information

• Strongly encourage Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicants to apply.
• An eligibility list may be created for future permanent or temporary vacancies.
• This position is full time, but part-time or secondments may be considered.
• Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
• Hunter New England Health is committed to child safety and NSW Health's Child Safe Standards; all staff are expected to prioritise safety and well-being of children.

Applications Close: Sunday 7 September 2025.

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