Sexual Assault Support Counsellor

Fixed Term Part-time (min 0.6FTE – negotiable to full-time) to December 2026

Location

Launceston

Reports to

Senior Counsellor

Award

Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award 2010, Level 6.1 to 6.3 (depending on experience)

ABOUT LAUREL HOUSE

Laurel House provides a range of trauma-informed, evidence-based, therapeutic services to victim-survivors of sexual assault, their families and supporters. We also develop and deliver a broad range of programs to adults, young people, and children including the provision of therapeutic face-to-face counselling at our centres located at Launceston, Devonport, and Burnie and through outreach locations across North and North West Tasmania. Laurel House is partnering with the Tasmanian Government in the delivery of the North and North West Arch centres (multidisciplinary centres) for victim-survivors of sexual harm.

Laurel House delivers the PAST (Prevention, Assessment, Support and Treatment) Program for children and young people (aged 17 years and under) who have displayed harmful sexual behaviours in North and North West Tasmania. Our team also provides community education and other capacity building programs focused on the prevention of sexual harm and on supporting parents, carers, and service providers to better respond to disclosures of sexual violence.

Laurel House is seeking an experienced and committed counselling professional to become a valued member of the Laurel House Therapeutic Services team in Launceston, to support services across North and North West Tasmania. This is a fixed-term part-time (minimum 0.6FTE) position available to December 2026, funded through the 500 Workers Initiative Grant. While the position is fixed-term, it is common for Laurel House to offer opportunities for individuals to transition into permanent roles as they arise within the organisation.

As a skilled and valued member of the Laurel House team and reporting to the relevant Senior Counsellor, this position is expected to provide a high standard of trauma-informed clinical practice working with victim-survivors of sexual assault and children and young people with harmful sexual behaviour, while observing professional standards, legislation, and confidentiality.

Our counsellors have access to both internal and external supervision, generous professional development budgets and the support of our highly skilled team.

DOES THIS SOUND LIKE YOU?

• Minimum of a bachelor's degree in counselling, social work, psychology, or equivalent qualification, or occupational therapy with mental health accreditation.
• Demonstrates knowledge of the impacts and dynamics of sexual assault and experience in trauma-informed counselling.
• Experience working with children and young people who use harmful sexual behaviour.
• Experience working with diverse communities or lived experience of diversity including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, LGBTQIA+, migrant, culturally and linguistically diverse and people with disability.
• Experience delivering training to young people and adult learners.
• Understanding of sexual assault through an intersectional approach that considers where gender and other inequalities/oppressions produce unique experiences of violence.
• Ability to quickly acquire a working knowledge of Tasmanian legislation and policies pertaining to sexual assault, child protection and family violence.
• Demonstrates commitment to maintaining a child and youth safe organisation and to promoting the rights of children and young people.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?

As a valued member of the Laurel House team, you will be supported in your role. We offer:

• A challenging and rewarding role, working alongside victim-survivors of sexual assault.
• Flexible working conditions.
• Competitive salary and packaging provisions.
• Paid Parental Leave as per Laurel House Policy.
• The opportunity to extend your skills and knowledge through generous training budget and regular professional supervision (both internal and paid external).

As a Public Benevolent Institution, Laurel House employees receive tax-effective salary packaging opportunities including $15,899 each year tax free. This means you can increase the value of your take-home pay.

LAUREL HOUSE'S COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY

Laurel House values the expertise, lived experience and cultural wisdom of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, LGBTIQA+, migrant, culturally and linguistically diverse, people with disability and those who have experienced sexual and family violence. Applicants from these groups are strongly encouraged to apply, as are people with parenting or caring responsibilities.

STATEMENT OF COMMITMENT TO THE SAFETY OF CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE

Laurel House is a Child and Youth Safe Organisation. We have a zero tolerance for child abuse and have systems to protect children and young people from abuse. We take all allegations and concerns very seriously and respond to them consistently in line with our policies and procedures. We actively work to listen to and empower children and to provide an inclusive and safe environment for all children and young people. In particular, we are committed to promoting cultural safety and to ensuring that the diverse needs of children and young people are met.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Please refer to our website www.laurelhouse.org.au for an overview of our services and a copy of the position description (under Our Organisation - Career Opportunities).

Claire Tonks (Operations Manager) at claire.tonks@laurelhouse.org.au or 03 6334 2740.

HOW TO APPLY

Applications must be submitted by email to claire.tonks@laurelhouse.org.au, using the subject line: Sexual Assault Support Counsellor - North.

To apply for the position, please submit:

• A cover letter including a short statement addressing each of the selection criteria
• Your current Curriculum Vitae or Resume

APPLICATIONS CLOSE

Friday 28th March 2025 at 5pm.

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