Parentline Volunteer Telephone Counsellor

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 :

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS:

• University level counselling qualification including: Bachelors degree, Graduate Certificate and/or, Masters in Counselling, Social Work, Psychology or other related discipline.
• Professional accreditation with: ACA, PACFA, AASW, AHPRA or other relevant body.

Position Summary :

Parentline ACT offers a free, confidential telephone counselling support service for parents and carers, or anyone who identifies as a parent or carer in the ACT and surrounding areas.

Parentline’s Volunteer Telephone Counsellors typically engage with clients over the phone or online, however face to face sessions may also be requested and provided in relation to parenting and family matters.

Parentline’s Volunteer Telephone Counsellors, are university trained with professional accreditation and form a part of Toora Women’s Clinical Services team.

Key Requirements :

ESSENTIAL EXPERIENCE / KNOWLEDGE:

• Experience and understanding about how to work therapeutically with diverse groups, individuals and families including indigenous clients. 
• Knowledge of various clinical therapeutic practices such as: Person-Centred approach, attachment theories, Strengths-based, ACT, CBT, RBP, Narrative therapies.

DESIRABLE EXPERIENCE / KNOWLEDGE:

• Experience and understanding about how to work therapeutically with diverse groups, individuals and families including indigenous clients.
• Experience and understanding working with women with complex trauma, alcohol or drug issues, experiencing homelessness or domestic violence.

Job Responsibility :

Toora Women Supports women with complex issues who have experienced past or present trauma, such as: 

• Domestic, family and/or sexual violence 
• Mental health issues 
• Alcohol and/or Drug (AOD) dependencies 
• Homelessness or needing support to stay out of the homelessness system; and/or 
• Time in ACT Corrections. 

Within Toora, Parentline is an organisation which: 

• Emphasises, acknowledges and builds on the existing strengths of parents. 
• Acknowledges the rights of children, and has adopted the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations (2021) 
• Acknowledges the rights of parents and  to make their own choices, within the constraints of child protection legislation. 
• Recognises and respects diversity and is sensitive and aware of cultural, gender, lifestyle, age and religious differences, and the role this may have on parenting or families in general. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Providing counselling support, information, and referrals to parents and carers over the telephone, online and face-to-face.
• Assisting with the general operations of the Parentline service including administrative tasks, recording and reporting client data, research and service evaluation.
• Participate in ongoing training to enhance skills and knowledge
• Participate in regular group based clinical supervision and team meetings

REPORTING RELATIONSHIP AND KEY STAKEHOLDERS 

Parentline Volunteers will report directly to the Manager, Clinical Services, and the Director of Service Excellence. 

The positions requires the development and ongoing maintenance of strong working relationships with: 

• Internal Stakeholders: 
• Internal Stakeholders: 
• Toora Leadership team 
• Clinical Manager 
• Manager, Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) Service  
• Team Leader, Toora Domestic Violence and Homelessness Service 
• Counsellors 
• Case Coordinator’s  

• External Stakeholders: 
• Allied Health Professionals 
• Other relevant Government and NGO Services 

DELIVERABLES 

Counselling: 

• Conduct all counselling interventions based on person-centred, strengths-based, harm-minimisation and trauma-informed frameworks and practices. 
• Provide ad hoc telephone counselling sessions to Parentline clients, as allocated by Manager Clinical Services team. Between a minimum of 2, and maximum of 4 sessions per 4-hour shift (being mindful of administrative obligations listed below). 
• Provide up to 12 ongoing telephone counselling sessions to one or more Parentline clients, with identified parenting support needs as allocated by the Manager Clinical Services team. Between minimum of 2, and maximum of 4 client sessions per 4-hour shift (being mindful of administrative obligations listed below). 
• Provide psychoeducation, information, resources and referrals to other community, health, legal and welfare agencies, as appropriate. Administrative obligations:  
• Within the parameters of each shift (4 hours minimum), ensure that all client records have been captured which includes recording all quantitative and qualitative data, ensuring that legal and professional requirements are met.  
• Contribute to the development and review of new policies, processes and procedures. 
• Undertake a professional project-based assignment as required. 
• Computer literate and competent in areas of MS office required to meet the needs of the role (Outlook, Word, Excel, MS Teams) as well as familiarity with the use of a Case Management database system (or willingness to learn). 

Professional Practice, Professional development and Performance Management  

• Engage in professional development activities.  
• Attend regular clinical group-based supervision (provided) 
• Attend regular group-based or individual meetings with the Clinical Services Manager and accept directions.  
• Participate in performance management/appraisal activities as determined by the organisation.  
• Mentor and/or support new volunteers and/or students as required.  
• Participate in the ongoing evaluation of the volunteer telephone counselling service providing input into service delivery improvements. 

Work Health Safety / Quality Improvement Systems  

• Adhere to Toora’s 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  

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT 

• The duties of this position may be adapted to accommodate changes in organisational requirements or scope, as determined by the service or corporate planning processes. 
• Changes to this position description will not occur without staff consultation. 
• Must hold a current Working with Vulnerable People (WWVP) Registration for the duration of appointment 
• Must provide (at commencement) a National Police Records Check (NPRC) that is dated within 90 days of commencement of employment. This will be reviewed annually, and ongoing appointments are contingent on maintaining an acceptable record. 
• Work is based at Toora’s city office Working from home arrangements may be discussed and approved on a case-by-case basis, and in accordance with Toora Women’s working from home policy. 
• Must work collaboratively within Toora’s service environment and systems. 
• Must adhere to all relevant policies and procedures at Toora. 
• Must adhere to all WHS policies and procedures at Toora and whilst undertaking activities on behalf of Toora, including adhering to their obligations under the Work Health & Safety Act 2011. 
• Participation in Toora’s Quality Improvement Systems, including audit activities, surveys or needs analysis, or other related activities. 

Job Functions :

Volunteering

Job Benefits :

Free onsite parking

Selling Point :

0

Contact :

Jenna Roberts