Counsellor, AOD

About Us :

Toora Women Inc is a not-for-profit organisation which has been delivering gender specific services to women in the ACT and surrounds since 1982. Our mission is to be the leading organisation in the ACT providing safe, respectful support for all women who are impacted by domestic and family violence, homelessness, the criminal justice system and/or alcohol and drug dependency.

About You :

• Tertiary qualifications and registration in Social Work, Psychology or Counselling equivalent

Position Summary :

The Counsellor will work within a small counselling team to provide a quality service to women with complex needs. The counsellor will provide specific recovery-oriented counselling to women experiencing substance dependencies, and as such must be confident working within these populations. Individual counselling sessions will provide support to women with complex issues who have experienced past or present traumas such as: the impact of their own or another’s drug and alcohol use, mental health issues, domestic, family and sexual violence, along with supports around homelessness or needing support to stay out of the homelessness system, and women in the ACT corrections system.

The counsellor is bound by a code of ethics, good practice and confidentiality and is required to attend regular clinical supervision and an ongoing program of continual professional development.

Key Requirements :

• Minimum 3 years counselling experience working with traumatised populations.

• Understanding of AOD, sexual assault, domestic violence and issues of cultural difference

• Network and community liaison skills

• Group work skills

• Communication and report writing skills

• Demonstrated ability to incorporate gendered perspective within counselling frameworks.

• Proficient computer skills including the use of Microsoft office applications

• Ability to work as part of a team

• Current drivers license and Working With Vulnerable People Registration

Women only applicants please as per section s 34(1) of the Discrimination Act 1991. Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, and CARM women are encouraged to apply.

Job Responsibility :

Toora Women Inc. supports women with complex issues who have experienced past or present traumas such as domestic and sexual violence; women impacted by their own or another’s drug and alcohol use and/or mental health issues; women experiencing homelessness or needing support to stay out of the homelessness system; and women in the ACT corrections system.

Our current drug and alcohol, domestic violence and homelessness programs range across a variety of settings such as crisis and transitional accommodation, day program and outreach support, allowing Toora to provide a wrap-around trauma-informed care model, in an integrated service system. We deliver these complex services within human rights and gendered framework.

All services are based on a theoretical model of recovery, respect and empowerment. This includes encouraging self-help and minimizing the effects of institutionalization and the harm associated with dependencies.

Toora Women Inc. is committed to employing women whose life experience and skills match that of the target groups of our services.

Counselling Service

• Maintain a counselling caseload for women with complex needs and their families (where appropriate).

• Plan, conduct and evaluate therapeutic groups, where required.

• Undertake alcohol and drug interventions underpinned by agreed strengths-based gendered approach to treatment.

• Deliver training workshops internally and externally.

• Maintain client records that meet all legal and professional requirements.

• Provide outreach to Toora sites and other locations, where required.

• Participate in inter-Toora case conferences, where appropriate

• Provide interim counselling and referral, where appropriate.

• Provide information and referral to other community, health, legal and welfare agencies, as appropriate.

• Support the clients and their families through the legal system in which they become involved, where appropriate

• Provide advocacy and support

• Collect, enter and regularly review necessary data for the effective delivery of a counselling service.

Professional Practice, Professional development and Performance Management

• Engage in professional development activities.

• Attend regular clinical supervision.

• Attend regular in-line supervision with the Clinical Services Manager and accept direction.

• Participate in performance management/appraisal activities as determined by the organisation.

• Contribute to the development of new procedures and methodology

• Mentor and/or support workers or volunteers in new roles, as required.

• Participate in ongoing monitoring and evaluation of counselling and service delivery

Administration

• Provide assistance to the Clinical Services Manager with data collection.

• Provide input and participate in review of service policies and procedures.

• Understand all areas of computer operations to meet the needs of the job

• Provide reports on progress of activities and programs including recommendations and improvements, as required

• Undertake a minor phase of a broader or more complex professional assignment, where required.

Teamwork, Networking and Liaison

• Participate in meetings (including Advisory), as required.

• Represent Toora Women Inc. in a professional manner on external committees or working parties as required.

• Maintain effective, positive relationships with all relevant stakeholders.

Work Health Safety / Quality Improvement Systems

• Adhere to Toora Women Inc. WHS policies and procedures including self-care policy.

• Take reasonable care to protect their own health and safety at work and meet all obligations under the WHS Act 2011

• Work in accordance with relevant sector standards and participate in Toora Quality Improvement Systems including auditing, surveys and needs analysis.

• Provide reports on progress of activities and programs including recommendations and improvements

Performance Expectations by classification as per the Social and Community Services award

Level 5

• Employees at this level will work under general direction from more senior employees and require a higher level of skills and knowledge to achieve results. Employees could be asked to draw upon more than one area of expertise or discipline. Initiative may be required to be exercised in areas where methods and practices are not established. Employees may also assist in the development of the organisation’s programs and procedures. They also may be required to help prepare the budget for the organisation.
• Level 5 employees will often supervise and provide expert advice to employees at lower classification levels as well as to volunteers. Employees will monitor the workflow in the area in which they are responsible, as well as organize both their own and lower classified employees’ work. It is also important for employees at this level to exercise interpersonal skills to assist in the cooperation of staff as well as clients. Staff will also be responsible for running functions and projects, where outcomes will be outlined in line with the organisations’ goals.

Level 6

• Level 6 employees will work mainly autonomously and under limited direction from more senior employees or management. They will often perform a variety of tasks that may involve the development of operational practices, policies, and guidelines. Employees will have more responsibility and influence over the operational activities, they may also be required to prepare the organisational budgets and establish work procedures. Employees could also be asked to negotiate matters on behalf of the organisation and are expected to have a comprehensive understanding of the organisation’s long-term goals.
• Level 6 employees may draw upon their expertise to exercise decision-making and advise employees at lower managerial levels. For the areas in which they are responsible, employees are expected to set outcomes to achieve the organisational objectives. They may also be required to organise and coordinate programs and projects and will be senior members of the project team.
• Employees will have an increased amount of:
• Responsibility
• Impact on activities and objectives;
• Decision making and authority;
• Ability to delegate tasks;
• Provision of expert advice.
• Due to the increased level of responsibility and authority, employees under this classification will require a high level of interpersonal skills to achieve results and motivate staff. They are expected to be able to exercise and implement effective staff management and personnel practices.

Job Functions :

Community development

Job Benefits :

Five weeks annual leave, salary sacrifice benefits

Selling Point :

Opportunity to provide support to vulnerable women in the ACT region.

Contact :

Shannon Jones