Counsellor – Youth Pathways Program

” This is all about our kids…they are our future” – Aunty Sue Blacklock

• Based in Canterbury
• Full time 38 hours per week
• Contracted to June 2027
• $107,079 gross per annum + super + generous salary packaging

Are you a dedicated, passionate Counsellor with experience in providing trauma informed psychosocial counselling for children and young people with complex unmet needs? Want to make a real difference by providing counselling for people impacted by the criminal justice system on an outreach basis?

CRC is excited to be expanding the Youth Pathways team of dedicated professionals working to change lives of children and young people caught up in the criminal justice system. And we’d love to hear from you.

Play a key part in our program and contribute to long-lasting change for our clients and the community.
Join a diverse and passionate team in a flexible and supportive organisation

We want to hear from people from all backgrounds, including people who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander or people with lived experience of the criminal justice system.

CRC works with some of the state’s most stigmatised and marginalised people, and we are dedicated to providing them with the help they need. While our work can sometimes be challenging, the rewards are significant.

The Opportunities

As a Counsellor in our Youth Pathways Program, you’ll be at the heart of a high-impact team. You’ll use therapeutic interventions, with a focus on alcohol and other drugs and mental health psychosocial counselling, for children and young people with complex unmet needs who are leaving NSW Correctional Centres and Youth Justice Centres.

Your usual work hours will be Monday to Friday, with occasional out-of-hours work, as required.

Your role includes:

• Counselling: Providing therapeutic psychosocial counselling through an outreach model will make up most of your day. You’ll be working with young people who are transitioning from custody to community, who have experienced mental health, alcohol and other drug use and trauma. You’ll provide evidence-based drug and alcohol psychosocial interventions for 3 – 6 months for young people with a focus on harm minimisation and reduction. This may include brief interventions, psychoeducation, motivational interviewing, mindfulness-based therapies, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), emotion-focused therapy (EFT), harm minimisation and relapse prevention. You’ll approach every task with empathy and flexibility, keeping our clients’ goals front and centre.
• Working Collaboratively: You’ll work collaboratively with the Youth Pathways multi-disciplinary team and provide psychoeducation and guidance regarding high-risk and complex clients through case scenarios and workshops for the team. You’ll actively build positive relationships with other services to better support integrated treatment and referral pathways to support children and young people with co-existing complexities. The ultimate goal is to ensure long-term supports, reduce incarceration and reduce recidivism.
• Data, administrative and assessment duties: While the majority of this job involves client-facing duties, data collection will be an important part of your role. You’ll conduct general administrative duties, Workplace Health and Safety monitoring, and recording and maintaining accurate notes.
• Cultural safety: You’ll work in culturally appropriate ways in recognition of the unique cultural needs and over-representation of First Nations children and young people in the criminal justice system. You will support clients and their families to have their cultural needs met.

Why work for us?

• Support programs that aim to break entrenched cycles of disadvantage, homelessness and imprisonment
• Be part of a community-based agency that has been delivering effective services in our field for over 70 years
• Join a dedicated, energetic team with a culture of flexibility, trust, integrity and respect
• Access additional Wellbeing Leave and clinical supervision.

To join us, you’ll need:

• To possess a Tertiary Qualification in Psychology, Counselling, Social Work or related field
• Demonstrated experience in providing therapeutic psychosocial counselling for children and young people with complex and compounding needs such as criminal justice system involvement, homelessness, alcohol and other drug use, mental health and experiences of trauma
• Experience and skills in the provision of trauma-informed care and knowledge of trauma theory
• A willingness to provide counselling services on an outreach basis
• A current NSW Driver Licence
• A current NSW Working with Children Check and Criminal Record Check (please note, a criminal record is not a barrier to being considered for a role with CRC)
• Demonstrated cultural competency and knowledge of issues relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and CALD communities
• Knowledge and skills relating to child development theory, current child protection issues and legislation.
• Desirable: Case Management experience

How to apply:

Do you have the skills, positivity and work ethic to match our amazing team? Apply now through the button below!

Please submit your response to the selection criteria and upload a copy of your resume.

Applications will close when a suitable applicant is found, so please APPLY NOW!

For more information and a copy of the Position Description please email [email protected] using the subject line: Counsellor – Youth Pathways Program enquiry via EthicalJobs.