Children, Youth and Families Counsellor

3 days per week (22.8 hours) or option of 4 days per week in the initial 12 month period.

SCHADS Award level 5.1 ($51.00) - 6.1 ($55.72), dependent upon qualifications and experience; salary sacrifice available + Super

Laurel Place can offer relocation support to successful candidates for the positions (within Australia over 100km radius)

Applications close 9am Monday 22nd September 2025

Applications are sought for the positions of Children, Families & Youth Counsellor based at the Murgon (or outreach from Gympie) office of Laurel Place Inc. This position is permanent part-time position, subject to the successful completion of a 6-month probationary period and ongoing funding from the Department of Families, Seniors, Disability Services and Child Safety. The incumbent of the position will be required on occasion to travel within the Sunshine Coast and Gympie areas.

The primary focus of the position is the provision of trauma-informed therapeutic intervention and support to children and young people who have experienced sexual violence. Focus is also directed toward the provision of therapeutic support to non-offending family members/supporters to strengthen family functioning and prevent further harm. The position also provides therapeutic intervention and support to children and young people who are engaging in harmful sexual behaviours.

Please send your application marked confidential to [email protected] Include in your application your address to the selection criteria, brief C.V. , Cover Letter and contact details of at least two referees.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities:

Provide a range of culturally appropriate and sensitive, trauma-informed therapeutic interventions to children, young people, adults and their non-offending family members/carers/ supporters who have experienced sexual abuse.

Provide culturally sensitive and appropriate therapeutic interventions and support to children and young people who engage in sexually harmful behaviours.

Conduct and complete thorough assessments, including the assessment of risk/safety and the use of appropriate assessment measures.

Develop and facilitate a range of therapeutic and educational group programs when required.

Provide relevant information and resources to children, young people, adults and their non-offending family members and supporters as well as other allied agencies and key stakeholders.

Liaise and work collaboratively with statutory bodies and other relevant services regarding case planning and monitor child protection concerns accordingly as is appropriate.

Liaise with community and sector networks and develop appropriate collaborative partnerships with relevant services and agencies.

Promote community awareness of the issues relating to sexual violence including the magnitude and extensiveness of its impacts on individuals, families, communities and wider society.

Engage in the accurate and relevant collection of statistical data and provide to the Team Leader.

Participate in training, case planning/review and regular supervision.

Organisational Environment:

Laurel Place Inc. is funded by The Department of Families, Seniors, Disability Services, and Child Safety. Laurel Place is governed by a Board drawn from the local community. The service employs approximately 50 staff across four programs and locations in Maroochydore, Gympie, Murgon as well as Moreton Bay.

The service provides a range of options to women, men, children, young people, families and the community that work towards reducing the impact and incidence of sexual violence in the Sunshine Coast, Gympie, South Burnett, and Moreton Bay Regions.

Laurel Place also operates Women’s Space from the Maroochydore location which provides support to women who have experienced all forms of gendered violence. The service also focuses on providing education, information and resources to the target groups and wider community.

This position reports to the Team Leader, Gympie/Murgon office and receives clinical support and supervision from both the Team Leader and the RESET Program Trainer/Mentor. The position reports more broadly to the Director, Counselling Services, Executive Director, and Board of Management. The position will also work collaboratively with the Support Worker – First Nations Clients.

Selection Criteria: Required

Minimum Bachelor-level tertiary qualifications in Psychology, Social Work, Criminology, Counselling or similar.

Demonstrated ability in providing a range of trauma-informed therapeutic interventions to children, young people and their non-offending family members/carers/supporters.

Experience working with children and young people who engage in high-risk sexual behaviours, or capacity to readily acquire relevant skills and knowledge.

Demonstrated understanding of the gendered nature of sexual violence and its impact at both an individual and societal level.

Demonstrated ability in providing sensitive and appropriate support to children, young people and their non-offending supporters from diverse backgrounds including Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, Culturally and Linguistically Diverse, and Gender Diverse people.

Well-developed skills in assessment, case formulation and service planning including assessment of risk and safety and use of assessment measures relevant to children and young people (and their non-offending carers/family/supporters) who have been affected by sexual violence.

Proven ability to establish and maintain collaborative working relationships with government and non-government organisations.

Ability to access and deliver appropriate information and resources targeting a range of audiences.

Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team environment.

Essential

Must possess (or be eligible for) a working with children check – Positive Notice Blue Card

Current Open Qld Driver’s License

Eligibility to work in Australia

If you would like to work for an organisation that values their staff and invests in your professional development, please email your application to [email protected] Your application is to consist of your addressed selection criteria, brief CV, cover letter and the contact details of two referees.

Applications close 9am Monday 22nd September 2025