Domestic & Family Violence Practitioner / Counsellor

Safe and Well CQ; Gladstone Regional; On-site; AUD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Safe & Well CQ in Gladstone, Queensland, is seeking a compassionate Domestic & Family Violence Practitioner or Counsellor to join a multidisciplinary team. Flexible alignment with qualifications and strengths is offered.

The role includes risk assessment, safety planning, crisis intervention and trauma-informed counselling for individuals affected by violence and trauma, within a collaborative, client-centred service delivery model.

Qualifications

• Specialist domestic and family violence response, risk assessment and safety planning.
• Professional counselling and trauma-informed therapeutic interventions.
• Mental health, trauma recovery or complex psychosocial support.
• Crisis intervention, case management, advocacy and coordinated care.

Responsibilities

• Undertake risk assessments, safety planning and ongoing risk management.
• Provide crisis intervention and trauma-informed support.
• Conduct therapeutic intake assessments and respond to complex client presentations.
• Deliver individualised case management, advocacy and coordinated support.
• Undertake home safety and security assessments and coordinate safety responses.
• Support clients to access housing, legal, health, financial and other services.
• Provide individual counselling and trauma-informed interventions within your scope.

Skills

Specialist DFV response risk & safety

Trauma-informed counselling

Mental health & trauma recovery

Crisis intervention & case management

Education

Diploma of Counselling or higher

Diploma in Community Services or equivalent

Bachelor/Psychology or Social Work considered

Job description

Domestic & Family Violence Practitioner / Counsellor

Safe & Well CQ | Gladstone, Queensland

Diploma and degree-qualified practitioners encouraged to apply

At Safe & Well CQ, we believe everyone has the right to feel safe and well.

We are seeking a compassionate, skilled and collaborative Domestic & Family Violence Practitioner or Counsellor to join our multidisciplinary team in Gladstone. We are open to appointing a practitioner with specialist domestic and family violence experience or a qualified Counsellor with demonstrated experience in trauma-informed therapeutic practice.

We recognise that professional capability is developed through qualifications, practical experience, specialist training and reflective practice. We welcome applications from practitioners who bring sound professional judgement, strong interpersonal skills and a genuine commitment to supporting people experiencing violence, trauma and complex life circumstances.

About the Opportunity

This position offers flexibility to align responsibilities with the successful applicant's qualifications, experience and professional strengths.

Domestic & Family Violence Practitioner

For applicants experienced in specialist domestic and family violence response, crisis intervention, risk assessment, safety planning, victim-survivor advocacy, court support and case management.

Domestic & Family Violence Counsellor

For applicants with relevant counselling qualifications and demonstrated experience providing trauma-informed counselling, therapeutic interventions and recovery-oriented support to individuals impacted by violence, trauma, mental health challenges or complex psychosocial circumstances.

Both pathways contribute to our integrated, trauma-informed approach to supporting client safety, recovery and wellbeing.

Key Responsibilities

Depending on your qualifications, experience and professional scope of practice, responsibilities may include either or:

Domestic and Family Violence Response

Undertake comprehensive domestic and family violence risk assessments, safety planning and ongoing risk management.

Provide crisis intervention, immediate safety responses and trauma-informed support.

Conduct therapeutic intake assessments and respond to complex client presentations.

Deliver individualised case management, advocacy and coordinated support.

Undertake home safety and security assessments and coordinate appropriate safety responses.

Support clients to access housing, legal, health, financial, child protection and other community services.

Counselling and Therapeutic Support

Provide individual counselling and therapeutic interventions within your professional scope of practice.

Support clients experiencing trauma, emotional distress, mental health challenges and the impacts of domestic and family violence.

Develop individualised therapeutic goals and recovery-oriented support plans.

Apply evidence-informed, trauma-informed and person-centred therapeutic approaches.

Support clients to strengthen emotional wellbeing, resilience, self-determination and recovery.

Recognise and respond appropriately to emerging safety concerns and complex presentations.

Victim-Survivor Advocacy and Court Support

Provide trauma-informed advocacy and practical support to victim-survivors navigating legal and court processes.

Support clients attending court, including domestic violence protection order proceedings, where required.

Assist clients to understand available support pathways and access appropriate legal information and specialist services.

Liaise with police, legal services, court support services and other relevant stakeholders to promote coordinated responses.

Advocate for victim-survivor safety, dignity, informed choice and access to appropriate services.

Identify and respond to safety risks associated with court attendance and legal proceedings.

Court support and advocacy are provided within professional scope and do not include legal advice or representation.

Collaborative Practice and Professional Responsibilities

Work collaboratively with internal multidisciplinary teams and external service providers to deliver coordinated, client-centred support.

Recognise and respond to safeguarding concerns, including risks involving children and young people.

Maintain accurate, timely and confidential client records.

Participate in professional supervision, reflective practice and multidisciplinary case consultation.

Contribute to continuous improvement, service development and positive team culture.

Qualifications and Experience

Applicants will hold one of the following:

A tertiary qualification in Psychology or Social Work.

A Diploma of Counselling or higher, supported by relevant counselling or therapeutic practice experience.

A Diploma of Community Services or equivalent, supported by demonstrated experience in specialist domestic and family violence practice.

We welcome applicants with experience in domestic and family violence, trauma-informed counselling, mental health or related therapeutic settings. Specialist domestic and family violence experience is highly regarded but is not essential for applicants with demonstrated counselling and trauma-related experience.

Essential Skills and Experience

Applicants must demonstrate relevant experience in at least one of the following areas:

Specialist domestic and family violence response, risk assessment and safety planning.

Professional counselling and trauma-informed therapeutic interventions.

Mental health, trauma recovery or complex psychosocial support.

Crisis intervention, case management, advocacy and coordinated care.

Applicants must also demonstrate:

An understanding of trauma-informed, culturally responsive, person-centred and evidence-informed practice.

Strong interpersonal, communication, assessment and documentation skills.

Ability to establish trusting professional relationships while maintaining appropriate boundaries.

Sound professional judgement, ethical decision-making and an understanding of confidentiality and safeguarding responsibilities.

Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary environment.

Commitment to professional supervision, reflective practice and ongoing professional development.

Highly Desirable

Experience working in a specialist domestic and family violence service.

Experience in victim-survivor advocacy, court support or navigating legal and justice systems.

Training in recognised domestic and family violence risk assessment and safety planning frameworks.

Experience providing structured therapeutic interventions or counselling to individuals impacted by trauma.

Training in evidence-informed therapeutic approaches such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Motivational Interviewing or other relevant modalities.

Working knowledge of the Domestic and Family Violence Protection Act 2012 (Qld), child protection legislation and relevant practice standards.

Experience working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, culturally and linguistically diverse communities, children and young people, and individuals experiencing additional barriers to support.

Experience in multidisciplinary case coordination and systems advocacy.

Eligibility for professional membership or registration with a relevant professional body, including AASW, ACA, PACFA or AHPRA, where applicable.

Professional Scope of Practice

We recognise that practitioners bring different professional backgrounds, qualifications and strengths.

The successful applicant's responsibilities will be aligned with their qualifications, demonstrated competencies, professional experience and scope of practice, supported by appropriate supervision and clinical governance arrangements.

Applicants with relevant Diploma qualifications are encouraged to apply. For the Counsellor pathway, applicants will be expected to demonstrate appropriate counselling qualifications, therapeutic competencies and relevant professional experience.

For the Domestic & Family Violence Practitioner pathway, applicants will be expected to demonstrate specialist DFV practice capabilities, including risk assessment, safety planning and crisis response, or the capacity to develop these competencies through structured supervision and professional development.

Why Join Safe & Well CQ?

Safe & Well CQ is a community-based, not-for-profit organisation committed to improving safety, wellbeing and opportunities for people across Central Queensland. Our work is grounded in the belief that everyone deserves to feel safe, heard, respected and supported.

We value collaboration, professional growth, reflective practice and the wellbeing of our team members. Joining our team offers the opportunity to:

Make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals and families.

Work within a collaborative, multidisciplinary service environment.

Contribute to trauma-informed, person-centred and integrated service delivery.

Participate in professional supervision, reflective practice and ongoing development.

Help strengthen community responses to domestic and family violence.

Be part of an organisation committed to learning, improvement and positive change.

Employment Requirements

The successful applicant will be required to:

Hold a current driver's licence.

Hold or be eligible to obtain a Queensland Working with Children Check (Blue Card).

Undertake a satisfactory National Police Check, assessed in accordance with applicable.

Safe and Well CQ is committed to child safety and wellbeing. We have zero tolerance for child abuse and welcome applications from people who share our values. Successful applicants require current Blue Card clearance.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are strongly encouraged to apply.