Employment Term: Full-time, 6 month max term contract with possibility for extension

Location: Ipswich

Remuneration: $97,385.70 + 11.5% Super + $15,900 NFP Salary Packaging

Make a meaningful difference with UnitingCare

We’re looking for someone who wants to make the world a little better through small moments that leave big impacts. To build meaningful relationships and make a difference in the lives of others.

We seek a motivated and enthusiastic Counsellor to join our Men Choosing Change Team at Ipswich, Queensland. You’ll be encouraged to grow, develop and feel empowered to make the everyday easier for the people we care so passionately about.

Let’s make a meaningful difference, together.

Your part in our UnitingCare team

Ideally, you will have high quality organisational and administration skill and previous experience within a similar employment where you have worked with Domestic and Family Violence DFV, individuals and families from diverse cultural backgrounds.

This unique Counsellor position offers the opportunity to broaden your professional practice while working within our Men Choosing Change (MCC) Program. It offers more diversity and exposure to different client presentations in a DFV counselling framework.

In addition, you will be suitable to work within a robust therapeutic environment and be capable of offering high-quality therapeutic services within a practice framework. You will be passionate about reflective practice and work closely in a team of professionals while also being competent to work independently.

The primary focus of this role is to facilitate behaviour change sessions and provide intake and psycho-education services to individuals who identify as perpetrating domestic and family violence. The position requires a deep understanding of the dynamics of domestic violence, counselling practices, a high degree of experience in client work, professional epistemological (framework) awareness, and a safety focus.

This role involves creating a safe and supportive environment where clients can explore the underlying causes of their behaviour, understand the impact of their actions, and develop healthier ways of relating to others. The Counsellor uses evidence-based techniques to challenge harmful beliefs and behaviours, promote empathy and responsibility, and support clients in making sustainable, positive changes in their lives.

Key Responsibilities:

Provide individual intake and review sessions to clients, utilising evidence-based practices

Conduct assessments of clients, developing progress notes and success.

Provide court support at local Magistrate Courts.

Implement safety planning for clients and their families, ensuring a focus on risk management and the cessation of violence.

Work collaboratively within a multi-disciplinary team, contributing to case planning and review processes – Risk and safety Meetings (RAS) and working alongside Women Advocate (MCC) workers.

Maintain accurate and confidential client records, adhering to organisational policies and legal requirements.

Participate in ongoing professional development and training to enhance skills and knowledge in domestic and family violence and counselling practices.

Engage in community outreach and education initiatives to raise awareness about domestic violence and available support services.

Uphold the values and principles of UnitingCare, promoting a culture of respect, integrity, and inclusion.

What makes a difference for us?

Minimum Bachelor’s degree in Social Science, Counselling, Psychology, or Social Work.

Demonstrated experience in domestic and family violence, with a strong understanding of the dynamics and impacts.

Proven fundamentals in counselling practice, with a high degree of experience in client work.

Epistemological awareness and ability to work within individual frameworks.

Expertise in safety planning and risk assessment.

Excellent communication, interpersonal, and facilitation skills.

Ability to work effectively within a multi-disciplinary team.

Commitment to ongoing professional development and reflective practice.

What makes a difference for you?

At UnitingCare we are leaders in crisis response, the protection of vulnerable children, financial resilience and family wellbeing. Our FaDS (Family and Disability Services) team work passionately across Queensland to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.

Flexible work arrangements to support work-life balance

Save tax and increase your take home pay by salary packaging your everyday living expenses and bills (up to $15,900) and meal entertainment (up to $2,650) per annum

A recognition and rewards platform, providing employee discounts at hundreds of retailers, including everyday expenses, holidays, health insurance, annual awards celebration, wellbeing and employee assistance programs

A positive and inclusive team based on respect, shared standards, strong values and a commitment to serving others

Eligible employees receive 12 weeks paid parental leave and 2 weeks paid partner leave, available after 6 months service, in addition to the government scheme

Diversity and inclusive leave, offering paid gender affirmation leave and cultural leave options (paid and unpaid) for those who may celebrate Lunar New Year, Diwali, Ramadan, NAIDOC weeks and other significant cultural events

Career development opportunities to challenge yourself, grow and make a meaningful difference

We’d love you to be part of our UnitingCare family

Our FaDS, team are passionate about their work with parents to ensure children remain safe in the home and parents have the skills, resilience and capability to effectively parent and meet their children’s developmental, educational, health and well-being needs. We also provide targeted services to men who are seeking to change their behaviour.

Joining our FaDS, team, you’ll also be welcomed as part of the UnitingCare family. The second-largest Queensland employer, we’re a proud not-for-profit with more than 16,500 staff and 9,000 volunteers across our brands of BlueCare, Lifeline, ARRCS, The Wesley Hospital, Buderim Private Hospital, St Stephen’s Hospital, and St Andrew’s War Memorial Hospital, and have been leading by example for more than 100 years. Our team are compassionate, inclusive and committed to the work we do, helping people live life in all its fullness.

Child safe, Child friendly

UnitingCare is committed to being a Child Safe, Child Friendly organisation and will:

provide welcoming, safe and nurturing services for children

implement measures to prevent child abuse and neglect within our services

appropriately and immediately address child abuse and neglect if it does occur

Diversity & Inclusion

Our approach is simple – everybody is welcome here. At UnitingCare, diversity is at the core of our who we are, our mission and our values. We are committed to providing equal opportunities to all employees no matter their sex, race, culture, sexual orientation, disability or gender identity. Demonstrating our commitment to reconciliation and building long-term employment opportunities for First Nations peoples, UnitingCare strongly encourages Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants for this position.

Safe workplace

We work hard to make our services welcoming and safe for every person. We are united in keeping children, young people and the elderly safe from harm, within our services, workplaces and the communities we support. We are committed to speaking up loudly for their safety.