Counselling Team Leader

Bravehearts; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Not-for-profit salary packaging

Bonus self-care leave

Birthday leave

Free onsite car parking

Employee assistance program

Job summary

Bravehearts, a leading child protection charity, is seeking a Counselling Team Leader to join the Beyond Brave team. This full-time fixed-term role until June 2027 is based in Arundel on the Gold Coast with remote work available, and involves leading a small, highly skilled team while maintaining a caseload.

You will oversee daily operations, trauma-informed counselling, and support Redress applications, with a focus on evidence-based practice, collaboration, and culturally safe care for

Qualifications

• 5–7 years' postgraduate experience in therapeutic case management, counselling or mental health with survivors of childhood trauma.
• Eligibility for membership of AASW, APS, ACA or PACFA.
• Experience with adult survivors of child sexual assault and with diverse communities.
• Commitment to diversity and inclusion in leadership and practice.
• Must have or be willing to obtain Working with Children Check and National Police Certificate.

Responsibilities

• Provide daily leadership and support to a small team of clinicians.
• Develop, implement and review counselling programs within Beyond Brave.
• Deliver trauma-informed counselling and crisis intervention linked to Redress lodgement.
• Conduct risk assessments and interventions.
• Assist clients with Redress applications.
• Facilitate weekly team meetings and 1:1s.
• Provide data reports and maintain timely case notes.

Skills

Leadership

Empathetic leadership

Diversity & inclusion

People management

Stakeholder communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in social work, counselling, psychology

Job description

For over 25 years, Bravehearts has been a leading voice in child protection. The impact of our work drives us towards our Vision of a world where people, communities, and systems all work together to protect children from sexual abuse. We are dedicated to creating a brighter, safer future where children are free from sexual harm.

We’re Growing!

We're proud to be expanding our impact. Recent funding growth has enabled us to invest in our people and create several new positions across the Beyond Brave program. Join us as we build our team and continue delivering high-quality services to our community.

We have an exciting opportunity for a Counselling Team Leader to join our team. This is a full time position on a fixed term contract until the end of June 2027, with possibility of extension. This role is based in Arundel on the Gold Coast with the opportunity for remote work available.

This role would suit an experienced counsellor, therapeutic case manager, mental health social worker or therapeutic professional who is ready to lead a small but highly experienced team while maintaining a small client caseload of their own.

About the Beyond Brave team at Bravehearts:

Our Beyond Brave team is dedicated and passionate, with a clear focus on delivering support to adult survivors of institutional child sexual abuse who are wanting to make an application to the National Redress Scheme. The team look out for one another, share knowledge, and collaborate closely to ensure the best outcomes for our clients and each other.

About the Counselling Team Leader position:

In this position, you will be responsible for leading the counselling and therapeutic case management service within the Beyond Brave team, including daily operational requirements and providing leadership and support to a small team of Clinicians/Therapeutic Case Managers.

You will also be responsible for your own caseload of clients, to whom you will provide trauma-informed and culturally appropriate counselling and emotional support, as well as support completing their Redress applications.

Key responsibilities include:

• Provide daily team leadership, mentoring and support to a small team of direct reports to ensure that the Counselling team runs efficiently and effectively.
• Contribute to the development, implementation and review of the counselling program with Beyond Brave in line with Bravehearts strategic initiatives.
• Deliver short-term trauma-informed counselling and/or crisis intervention which is linked to the lodgement of an application to the Redress Scheme.
• Conduct risk assessments and interventions as necessary.
• Assist clients with the completion of their Redress application.
• Facilitate weekly team meetings and regular 1:1s with each team member.
• Provide weekly, monthly and ad hoc data reports, and ensure all case notes are completed in a timely manner.

About You:

• Demonstrated success in leading and developing engaged, values-aligned, and resilient teams through empathetic leadership that fosters trust, connection and accountability.
• Degree in social work, counselling, psychology or a related therapeutic discipline, with eligibility for membership of the relevant professional association, such as AASW, APS, ACA or PACFA.
• A minimum of 5-7 years' postgraduate experience providing therapeutic case management, counselling, psychosocial support or mental health interventions to survivors of complex childhood trauma and/or violence, or within a mental health setting.
• Demonstrate a commitment to diversity and inclusion in your leadership and practice.
• Experience in working with adult survivors of child sexual assault, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disabilities and members of the CALD communities.
• Demonstrated understanding of the lifelong impacts of child sexual abuse and other childhood trauma.
• Must have or be willing to apply for a Working with Children Check (relevant to the state) and a National Police Certificate.
• Demonstrate Bravehearts’ values of Integrity, Respect, Energy, Empathy and Bravery.

Why join the Bravehearts team?

• You will play a key role in advancing our mission to prevent and treat child sexual abuse.
• You'll join a supportive and compassionate team that, despite the seriousness of our work, know how to have fun and create a positive environment.
• We pay in line with the SCHADS award, and this role is classified at social and community Level 6 (plus super, plus salary sacrifice).
• Competitive salary including not-for-profit salary packaging ($15,900 tax free) plus meals and entertainment benefits salary packaging. Reduce the amount of tax you need to pay = more money in your bank account each pay!
• Enjoy bonus self-care leave, professional development leave and birthday leave!
• Free onsite car parking.
• Access to discounts, cashback and other perks through our HRIS, Employment Hero.
• Confidential support through in-house clinical supervision, employee assistance program and wellbeing services.
• We are an organisation that genuinely cares about its people.

Bravehearts is unwavering in our commitment to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people accessing our services. We act without hesitation to ensure the legal rights of all children and vulnerable persons are maintained.

Bravehearts is committed to fostering a truly inclusive and diverse workplace that is dedicated to fostering a culture where every voice and every child is valued, respected, and safe from harm. We warmly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, as well as individuals from all diverse or minority backgrounds, to join us in creating safe, supportive environments that make a real difference in the lives of children and families.

Bravehearts is a child-safe organisation and we have a zero tolerance to any form of child abuse. All Bravehearts employees must have a current Working with Children Check (relevant to the state/territory where the work is being completed) and a satisfactory National Criminal History Check. These will need to be completed prior to commencement.