Intake Counsellor

**Full-time, permanent position based in Hurstville**:

- ** from $80.3K + Super + Salary Packaging**:

- **Friendly organisation**

**Our Organisation**

The Benevolent Society’s vision is to build a just society where all Australians can live their best life. We are an independent, non-religious service provider, supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians; children, young people and their families; older people; carers and those at the margins of society.

We are strongly committed to reconciliation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people of Australia. We remain steadfast in our commitment to promoting the economic, political, and social inclusion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

**About the role**

As our **Intake Counsellor**, you will provide initial support and coordination of counselling and coaching services to carers through the Carer Gateway Program.

You may be an entry level or recent graduate counsellor who can work in a fast passed environment with a high demand for services. You will provide therapeutic interventions and strategies to enable Carers to feel less stressed, more empowered and to gain a better balance in life.

**Duties**
- Be the first point of contact to introduce Carer Gateway counselling and coaching services to new clients by coordinating the initial response to referrals.
- Provide timely and effective contact, advice and referral services to the community and clients.
- Engage carers using appropriate strengths-based assessments and risk minimisation processes.
- Provide therapeutic intervention and support to carers over the phone, in person, or via other technological means.
- Document client services and client changes in a clear, logical, professional and timely way.
- Provide crisis intervention and support clients over the phone, in person, or via other technological means.
- Assist clients to engage with wrap around services directly, as appropriate.

**Our Benefits**

We support people to live their best life. That includes you, our employee. A **‘best life**’ is unique to everyone and can change as life changes:

- ** Salary Benefits**:

- You can package up to $18,550 pa of your pre-tax salary to pay for everyday expenses before income tax is calculated, meaning you take home even more pay
- **Work/Life Balance** - Enjoy flexible work arrangements, including hybrid home/office options, and accrue an additional day off each month (a bonus of 12 days per year) as a full-time employee.
- **Recognition and Reward** - Sector competitive remuneration, various recognition programs and access to long service leave after 5 years.
- **Wellness**:

- Stay fit with a Fitness passport, utilise our Employee Assistance Program, and even purchase additional leave.
- **Professional development -**We tailor career development opportunities to all employees and volunteers for career enrichment, fulfilment, and growth.
- **Our Reconciliation Commitment -**Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees are entitled up to 2 days paid plus up to 10 days unpaid cultural leave, as well as the option to be a voice on reference networking groups, the opportunity for cultural and professional development that supports career pathways and your social and emotional wellbeing.

**Skills and Experience**
- Current Professional Membership through the Australian Counselling Association accreditation Level 2; or a Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia Certified Practicing Accreditation; or an Australian Association of Social Workers accreditation - ordinary member.
- At least 6 months’ experience providing counselling services and group work or similar (inclusive of placement/internship/practicum experience).
- Graduate qualifications in counselling would support success.
- Knowledge of wrap around and referral services available.
- Good understanding of carers issues in the domains of work, health and feelings and how these impact on quality of life.
- Ability to quickly and effectively evaluate the needs of a client who may be in crisis and identify potential referrals that may meet their needs.
- Ability to work under pressure.
- Good relationship building skills with the ability to quickly build relationships with clients and different stakeholders
- Understanding of the needs of diverse communities such as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD), and gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTQ+) communities
- If you identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples, then we want to hear from you. The Benevolent Society recognises and values cultural knowledge and wisdom of the First Nations people, we therefore strongly encourage you to apply. We are strongly committed to being an Employer of Choice, one who offers, provides, and practices cultural safety in our workplace._

**Start your new adventure with us today**

Have a question? Please contact **Nikki** on