Adolescent and Family Counsellor

Type: Full-time 12 Month Fixed Term Contract
Location: Townsville, North & Far North QLD
Remuneration: Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award 2010 (Level 5) + full salary packaging options available up to $15,900 per annum

About Us:

The Ted Noffs Foundation was established in 1970 by Reverend Ted Noffs, a humanitarian whose work championed social justice, mental health support, and innovative youth services. Today, the Foundation delivers frontline services and community support across NSW, ACT & QLD with over 200 staff and 350 volunteers, helping young people affected by drugs, crime, and mental health.

The Role:

Noffs is looking for a dynamic and compassionate Adolescent and Family Counsellor to join our new service. The role will rotate between Townsville premises and outreach partner organisations, with some Queensland-based, fly-in and fly-out (FIFO) services required periodically.

Program context: This new program delivers intensive engagement, treatment, supervision, and assertive outreach to reduce recidivism after detention. Intensive supports are provided for young people with drug and alcohol issues during detention and extend into the community for a further 12 months. Youth receive evidence-based counselling to reduce drug use, improve mental health, and decrease involvement in crime.

Responsibilities and duties include:

• Conduct thorough assessments (and follow-ups) of clients and provide individual counselling as required.
• Provide family and other relationship counselling as required.
• Develop & maintain relationships with services, community organisations and stakeholders.
• Liaise effectively with referrers, other service providers and families to ensure best service for the client.
• Create and manage effective pathways for clients to access the service.
• Arrange community networking for a young person to encourage positive interactions in a safe and supportive environment.
• Maintain client & statistical records and provide reports as required.
• Travel within the catchment areas providing AOD counselling services including FIFO services as required for young people in regional areas.
• Case Work Support and Treatment Planning: Provide case management services for young people as appropriate; carry out planning, case formulation, implementation, and review with the client, family, and other key persons including the service manager; ensure the best service for the client so that clients are engaged in their treatment and feel supported.

Qualifications and experience

• Relevant tertiary qualifications e.g. psychology or counselling.
• Minimum 2 years direct counselling experience.
• Experience and demonstrated ability to work with young people between the ages of 12 - 25 years old.
• Experience in conducting clinical assessments, developing treatment plans, providing effective and compassionate individual counselling, delivering appropriate clinical interventions, and communicating clearly within a multidisciplinary team.
• Knowledge of and commitment to a Therapeutic Community model.
• Ability to work effectively as both a team member and a practitioner with minimal supervision.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Strong personal and interpersonal boundaries.
• Commitment to the principles of harm minimisation and to the aims of the Ted Noffs Foundation.
• Must have a current and valid QLD Blue Card and Drivers Licence.
• Experience in the drug and alcohol sector.
• Registration or eligible for membership with AHPRA, PACFA or other professional association.

Application and access—If you're looking for work that's real, challenging, and makes a difference, apply via SEEK with a Resume and a Cover Letter addressing the selection criteria.

The Ted Noffs Foundation is committed to equal employment opportunity and embraces diversity and inclusion. Applications from diverse backgrounds are encouraged, including First Nations People, People with Disability, Women and People from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse backgrounds.

Interviews may be offered upon application and are conducted on a rolling basis. Please note only successful applicants will be contacted. For further information, contact us at jobs@noffs.org.au