Domestic and Family Violence Counsellor/Court Support Practitioner | DFV Counselling Service | Port Douglas / Mossman

• Employment Term: Permanent Part-Time or Full-Time Opportunities  
• Location: Mossman/Port Douglas
• Remuneration: $53.43 per hour + Super + NFP Salary Packaging (save tax and increase your take home pay)
• Applications Close: Applications will be reviewed as they are received and therefore may result in the role closing early if the right applicant is found.

Make a meaningful difference with UnitingCare Queensland

At UnitingCare we are leaders in crisis response, the protection of vulnerable people and 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.

This is an exciting opportunity to join our new Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service in the Mossman/Daintree region.

Your part in our UnitingCare team

As an Adult Domestic and Family Violence Counsellor and Court Support Practitioner, you will provide specialist, trauma-informed counselling and therapeutic support to adult victim-survivors of domestic and family violence.

You will support clients to strengthen their safety, understand the impacts of violence, participate in court processes and make informed choices. This includes assessment, risk screening, safety planning, counselling, case coordination and practical and emotional support before, during and after court.

You will deliver support across the Port Douglas–Daintree catchment through centre-based, court-based, outreach and virtual services. You will also provide clear information about general court processes while maintaining professional boundaries and not providing legal advice.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Providing trauma-informed, person-centred and strengths-based counselling to adult victim-survivors of domestic and family violence.
• Completing comprehensive assessments, DFV risk screening and collaborative safety planning
• Developing and reviewing therapeutic and safety plans that respond to each client’s circumstances and goals.
• Using evidence-informed counselling approaches suited to individual client needs.
• Providing practical, procedural and emotional support before, during and after court.
• Helping clients understand general court processes and access independent legal advice where needed.
• Coordinating warm referrals and working closely with courts, police, legal, health, housing, Child Safety, specialist DFV and community services.
• Delivering culturally safe and inclusive support to people from diverse backgrounds and communities.
• Maintaining accurate and confidential client records, case notes, assessments, safety plans and reports.
• Participating in supervision, reflective practice, case reviews and ongoing professional development.

What makes a difference for us?

• A degree in Counselling, Social Work, Psychology, Behavioural Science, Human Services or a related discipline.
• Eligibility for registration or membership with AASW, APS, ACA, PACFA, ACWA or another recognised professional body.
• Experience providing specialist counselling or therapeutic support to people affected by domestic and family violence, trauma or related complexity.
• Knowledge of coercive control, trauma-informed practice, DFV risk assessment and collaborative safety planning.
• An understanding of Queensland domestic and family violence court processes.
• The ability to provide court support and procedural information without providing legal advice.
• The ability to work independently, use sound professional judgement and respond appropriately in complex or high-risk situations.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• The ability to work safely and respectfully with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and people from diverse communities.
• A current Queensland Driver license
• A current Working with Children Check (Blue Card)
• Experience working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and/or culturally and linguistically diverse communities would be highly regarded.

What makes a difference for you?

• Flexible work arrangements to support work-life balance 

• NFP Salary Packaging: 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. To learn more about this benefit watch the video via the following link: Salary Packaging Explained  

• 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  

• 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   

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

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

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.  

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 

• abide by the Child Safe Standards and adhere to the Reportable Conduct Scheme  

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.   

Commitment to Safeguarding

We are committed in creating services and workplaces that are welcoming and safe for every person. We work together to protect children, young people, adults and the elderly from harm within our services and the communities we support. We speak up for their safety to ensure their voices are heard. Our recruitment and workplace practices reflect our dedication in preventing abuse, harm and exploitation across UnitingCare.