Child and Youth Counsellor

Child and Youth Counsellor

18-21 hours per week (negotiable)

Fixed Term Contract until 30 June 2026

Join an award winning Not For Profit where you can make a difference in a rapidly growing community

North West Community Services Inc (NWCS) is a long established, not for profit, community based organisation, servicing individuals and families within Sydney's North West Growth Area, with a particular focus on Blacktown North West. NWCS's vision is "Building a Stronger Community Together", and we do this by underpinning all our activity with our values of Respect, Integrity, Inclusion, Sustainability and Equity. NWCS is a Child Safe Organisation and values the voices, needs and safety of children and young people.

As a neighbourhood centre, we aim to build strong community connections, offering a range of opportunities and meaningful activity that can improve health and wellbeing, economic and social outcomes.

NWCS  has an exciting role for a suitably qualified and experienced professional to join our Mental Health and Wellbeing Team, providing counselling services for children and young people.

The Position

The Mental Health and Wellbeing Team is funded by a range of public agencies, Western Sydney Primary Health Network and private sponsors. Services include a range of therapeutic supports for vulnerable individuals and families, incorporating casework, targeted support, counselling, individual and group based therapeutic activity.   The team  provides services as part of a strengths based, person centred and trauma informed approach with a focus on working with children, youth, adults to achieve goals and positive life outcomes.

Reporting to the Team Leader: Mental Health and Wellbeing, the position  works with a range of existing services within the organisation, and key stakeholders within our community. The position has a focus on providing counselling services to children and young people, and ensuring clients are linked to a range of other supports as needed to achieve their life goals.

The position is required to be available Monday, Tuesday and Thursdays.

The successful candidate will have the following essential requirements:

• Qualifications in social work, counselling, psychology
• Membership of either PACFA, ACA, AASW, APS
• Commitment to social justice, cultural diversity, accountability and integrity

• Two years industry experience  working with vulnerable and at risk individuals, particularly children and families  with a focus on trauma informed practice

• Ability to establish trust with clients  and maintain professional boundaries and standards utilising robust clinical frameworks

• Demonstrated experience managing group processes, consultation, planning, evaluation and responding to the needs of diverse stakeholders
• Strong level of communication, written and  interpersonal  skills
• High level computer skills,  documentation and  attention to detail
• Risk Management and Compliance with Workplace Health and Safety requirements, Child and Young Persons Care and Protection Act and Child Safe Regulations
• National Police Check, Working with Children Check and First Aid
• Drivers Licence and fully insured motor vehicle
• First Aid Certificate

Desirable Criteria

·       Membership of Australian Association of Social Workers, or other relevant entity

·       Capacity to deliver expressive therapies

·       We encourage applicants from First Nations or CALD backgrounds

Package on offer:

North West Community Services is an employer of choice offering:

·       SCHADS Award- Level 5

·       Salary packaging options

·       Family friendly/flexible work options

·       Ongoing training and development

·       Clinical Supervision

·       Access to free EAP

·       Free parking and close to transport

·       Additional leave days over Christmas

Applicants must submit a CV, with referee contact details, and a written application addressing the selection criteria when applying for this role.

Applications Close 28 September at 5pm.

For further information about this role please call

We thank all applicants for their interest in this role. Please note, due to time restraints, we will only contact those applicants proceeding to the next stage of the recruitment process.