Position: Counsellor Advocate Sexual Assault Support Services (SASS)

Location: Based in Warragul

Classification: Health and Qualified Services Award

Position Fraction: Full time

Applications Close: 11th September 2026 - 9.00AM

APPLICATION INFORMATION

- Application must include statements addressing each of the key selection criteria listed at the bottom of advertisement. This is most important, as consideration for interview will be based on whether the essential requirements of the position are addressed within your application.

- Applications should include a current resume with three referees' names and contact details.

- GCASA is culturally inclusive and welcomes applications from diverse cultures including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

- GCASA adheres to the Child Safe Standards and principles with a commitment to the safety, wellbeing, creating and maintaining an environment that promotes the safety of all children and young people and adults.

About GCASA:

Gippsland Centre Against Sexual Assault (GCASA) provides comprehensive sexual assault support and treatment services across Gippsland. Culturally inclusive, GCASA supports diverse communities and operates within a framework protecting rights and dignity. Services include counselling, information, resources, group work, and professional training.

Position Overview:

Counsellor Advocate will provide therapeutic counselling to children, young people and people who have experienced sexual assault, and to their non-offending family or friends. The position is based in Warragul. The position is supported by a team of highly skilled and qualified practitioners and receives regular clinical and line management supervision and valuable peer and organisational support.

Accountabilities & Key Responsibilities:

- The provision of therapeutic services including initial assessment and services for children, young people and adults who have been sexual assaulted and their families. This includes assessing children, young people and adults psychological, social, cognitive, and medical needs, family relationships, risk factors and risk management. The undertaking of this role is negotiated as determined by skill set, professional development, and expertise of individual employees.

- Engagement with Family Violences, Child Protection, and Community Service Organisations supporting children, young people, families and adults.

- Provide advocacy and support for young people, as agreed by them, within the broader service system including but not limited to, police, judicial, medical, educational, child protection, community services and family systems.





- Provide expert advice and secondary consultation to other professionals and organisations in relation to sexual assault and family violence, including secondary consultations.

- Maintain appropriate client records and statistical requirements, provide professional reports as required and manage case load requirements.

- In accordance with the strategic plan, assist in the delivery of community education and professional training to raise awareness of sexual assault as appropriate.

- Participate in the development and delivery of group programs to families, children, young people, and adults.

- Develop and maintain networks with relevant professional groups and community-based organisations.

- Attend regular line management and clinical supervision to develop professional clinical practice, ensure quality client outcomes, assess, and manage client risk, manage potential impacts of the work on personal well-being, and ensure administrative requirements of the role are managed.

- Maintain awareness and observation of the policies and procedures of the organisation.

- Comply with relevant social and legal policy, as required.

- Participate in Team Meetings, Clinical Case studies, learning & development and peer reflective practice sessions and professional development.

- Participate in continuous quality improvement and development of best practice.

- Contribute to research and presentations, including but not limited to conferences, training and journal articles regarding GCASA practice.

- Plan your time effectively to manage competing demands ensuring you meet the requirements of the role.

- Participate in other activities and meetings relevant to GCASA.

Key Selection Criteria:

Please note: all applications require a written response to the key selection criteria in order to be considered. You will need to show understanding of each requirement and how you align to each requirement with your experience and qualifications.

1. Degree level qualification or equivalent certification from a nationally accredited provider in social welfare, youth work counselling, social work, family therapy, psychology, creative arts therapies,



or community mental health nursing and a minimum of 2 years recent trauma counselling experience working with children and their families and experience in the provision of counselling.

2. Knowledge related to the incidence and impact of sexual assault, as well as an understanding of the gender dynamics that underlying sexual assault.

3. Demonstrated understanding and experience undertaking clinical assessments, including case formulation, the provision of therapeutic recommendations and goal and intervention planning.

4. Demonstrated understanding and application of theoretical frameworks underpinning trauma–informed counselling for children, young people, and adults, including feminist empowerment philosophy and social inclusion theory.

5. Well-developed client record keeping capacity, including case noting, administrative and time management skills, and the ability to multi-task and use a broad range of computer and IT skills.

6. Knowledge of the legislative requirements governing the collection and storage of personal information, client confidentiality and the protection of all GCASA clients.

7. Other Mandatory Requirements: Pre-Employment Checks & Disclosures - WWCC, National Crim Check, DFFH Statutory Declaration etc as describe below.

Gippsland Centre against Sexual Assault is committed to ensuring that all staff have the required skills and qualifications to conduct the work which they are employed to undertake.

GCASA will ensure that staff are appropriately credentialed and have a defined scope of practice. Staff must provide the following original documentation, or a certified copy, prior to appointment. All staff are required to maintain their registration and credentialing requirements for the period of their employment.

The successful applicant will:

- Be willing if required to travel across the region and to Melbourne as negotiated for training and development

- Hold a current Victorian driver’s licence

- Hold a current Working with Children’s check

- Provide a current National Crim Check

- Undertake a DFFH Statutory Declaration relating any CP intervention, IVO and court pending.

- Will work Wednesdays to participate in agency meetings

To get the full Job Description, please email to **@gippscasa.org
How to Apply

To apply, submit via SEEK your:

1. Resume (including three referees).

2. Cover letter addressing the key selection criteria listed above.

or Email to **@gippscasa.org with your application, cover letter & the Key Selection Criteria

For queries, contact Megan Hardwick (Manager Therapeutic Services) 5134 3922. or Email **@gippscasa.org

📌 Counsellor Advocate - Sexual Assault Support Services (SASS) (Traralgon)
🏢 Gippsland Centre Against Sexual Assault
📍 Traralgon