HELP YOUNG AUSTRALIANS MOVE BEYOND DRUGS AND CRIME. JOIN THE TED NOFFS FOUNDATION, AUSTRALIA’S LARGEST PROVIDER OF DRUG TREATMENT FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.

Type: Full Time

Location: Watson, ACT

Remuneration: Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award 2010 (Level 5) + full salary packaging options available

About Us:

Originally named The Wayside Foundation, The Ted Noffs Foundation was established in 1970 by the Australian humanitarian, Reverend Ted Noffs, and renamed in 1992 to honour his life’s work. The organisation’s early work helped co-found Lifeline, the first drug referral centre and The Freedom Ride (https://aiatsis.gov.au/explore/1965-freedom-ride). Charlie Perkins and Ted Noffs alongside Ken Brindle and Bill Geddes also co-founded the Foundation for Aboriginal Affairs in 1964 (https://dictionaryofsydney.org/entry/foundation_for_aboriginal_affairs) which was one of the first organisations aiming to achieve equality for First Nations people. The Ted Noffs Foundation went on to pioneer drug treatment for young Australians.

The Ted Noffs Foundation services are focused on helping young people with drug, crime and mental health issues and have achieved significant success. We run services across NSW, ACT and QLD with over 150 staff and nearly 300 volunteers committed to helping disadvantaged young Australians.

The Role:

Noffs is looking for a dynamic and compassionate Adolescent and Family Counsellor to join PALM Drug & Alcohol Rehabilitation Program. Operating as a Residential Therapeutic Community, PALM provides treatment for young people aged 12-18 with serious alcohol or other drug related difficulties as well as mental health, trauma and other associated issues.

The successful candidate will work closely with marginalised young people and provide assessment, case management, individual and group counselling, treatment planning and support to our clients and their families. A major aspect of this role is to assist young people to rebuild their relationships with their families and other significant people in their lives and to manage their lives more effectively.

Responsibilities and duties include, but not limited to:

• Conduct thorough assessment and be able to make clinical recommendations to the wider PALM team.
• Develop a comprehensive case treatment plan in collaboration with the young person.
• Provide regular individual counselling, as well as brief family interventions.
• Deliver case management services, including but not limited to organising and facilitating client appointments, liaising with aftercare services, following up client information and organising client medications.
• Facilitate planned, and impromptu group sessions.
• Support the residential team in the day to day implementation of the agreed care plan for each resident.
• Liaise with family and support networks regularly regarding treatment progress, including comprehensive exit planning.
• Maintain client records, including assessment and statistical records.
• Act as a clinical leader within the program, help to guide other staff through the treatment episode of each client.

Essential Selection Criteria

• Relevant tertiary qualifications e.g. psychology or counselling.
• Experience and demonstrated ability to work with young people between the ages of 12-18 years old.
• Experience in conducting clinical assessments, developing treatment plans, providing effective and compassionate individual counselling, delivering appropriate clinical interventions, and communicating clearly within a multidisciplinary team.
• Knowledge of and commitment to a Therapeutic Community model.
• Ability to work effectively both as a team member and as a practitioner with minimal supervision.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Strong personal and interpersonal boundaries.
• Commitment to the principles of harm minimisation and to the aims of the Ted Noffs Foundation.
• Must have a current and valid WWVP and Driver Licence.

Desirable Selection Criteria

• Experience in the drug and alcohol and/or residential sector.
• Registration or eligible for membership with AHPRA or other professional association.
• Minimum 2 years direct counselling experience.

Ted Noffs Foundation is committed to equal employment opportunity and embraces diversity and inclusion within its workforce. As such, people from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. This includes, but is not limited to First Nations People, People with Disability, Women and People from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse backgrounds.

How To Apply

Submit your application via SEEK with a Resume and a Cover Letter addressing the selection criteria.

As interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis, applicants are encouraged to apply at the earliest point and will be highly regarded. Interviews may be offered upon application.

Please note only successful applicants will be contacted. For further information, contact us at [email protected].