Counsellor -Community Engagement Officer (Alice Springs)

Position Statement

The Counsellor/Community Engagement Officer is responsible for delivery of client services within the Redress Scheme Support Service (RSSS). The role is to provide access to trauma-informed and culturally appropriate support that assists people who have experienced institutional childhood sexual abuse to engage with the National Redress Scheme (NRS).

The Counsellor/Community Engagement Officer provides appropriate support to people considering and applying to the National Redress Scheme including casework, counselling, advocacy and liaison with legal services, statutory bodies, communities and other stakeholders.

Given the highly complex and sensitive nature of the NRS, priority is given to safety and to ensure people are provided with service that empowers and enhances their personal agency. The Counsellor/Community Engagement Officer requires well-developed clinical practice skills as well as flexibility, initiative, coordination and organising skills, with a large amount of autonomy.

The Counsellor/Community Engagement Officer will also focus on engaging with individuals and service providers in rural, regional and remote outreach locations across the Northern Territory to enable equitable access to the National Redress Scheme and Redress Scheme Support Service.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide high quality clinical counselling and therapeutic case work to RSSS clients.

• Provide counselling support to people impacted by out-of-home care and forced adoptions practices where appropriate.

• Assist RSSS clients via therapeutic and practical support when considering, completing and/or post their National Redress Scheme applications.

• Maintain high quality practice as a trauma informed practitioner with active participation in ongoing supervision and professional development.

• Facilitate RSSS community information sessions to stakeholders and/or clients in the Northern Territory.

• Represent RA-NT at national meetings and training sessions when required.

• Promote a positive image of RA-NT and RSSS to the broader community through professional and community networking, presentations and promotional and awareness raising activities.

• Assist in the development and review of policies and procedures regarding RSSS while also adhering to RA-NT ethical guidelines.

• Meet regularly and maintain an effective flow of communication with the Manager, Adult Specialist Support Services and team, providing updates and reports on the implementation of program goals, outcomes and funding requirements.

• Collect and input client, stakeholder and information session data onto appropriate systems in a timely manner.

• Comply with all requirements of the funding agreement.

• Conduct other duties as requested by the Manager, Adult Specialist Support Services.

Qualifications and Experience

Essential

• Tertiary qualification in social work, psychology, counselling, or another relevant discipline.

• Knowledge of current theory and practice relating to trauma informed practice including knowledge of the impact and effects of childhood trauma on adult functioning.

• Experience working with individuals and/or families where complex trauma is present.

• Demonstrated experience in case management.

• Proven stakeholder and community engagement, education and development skills.

• Experience in developing and maintaining streamlined internal processes for service delivery.

• High level of interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills.

• Demonstrated experience working with Aboriginal communities, organisations and individuals to deliver community education, networking and service provision and promotion.

• Ability to work with and communicate effectively with people from different cultural backgrounds, and to respond to a variety of situations in a sensitive and appropriate manner.

• Ability and commitment to work as a team member within the ethos and values of RA-NT.

• Ability to travel within the Northern Territory.

Desirable

• Knowledge of the historical context of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.

• Experience in agency representation in networks, forums, information sessions, and community groups

Requirements

• A satisfactory Northern Territory working with children check.

• A satisfactory national criminal history check.

• Possession of a current NT Driver's License.

• A commitment to our Safeguarding Children Practice and Behaviour Guidelines.

This is an On-site position.

To obtain further information visit us at

Applications will be processed as received and only successful candidates will be contacted. To discuss this position further please contact Nathalia on

Relationships Australia NT encourages applications from people of all ages, nationalities, abilities and cultures – including Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander peoples, CALD, the LGBTQI+ community and people living with disability. We are happy to adjust our recruitment process to support your accessibility needs.