Counsellor

Make a meaningful difference with Ruby’s

At Ruby’s, we support young people and families experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness, helping to address family conflict, strengthen relationships and respond to the impacts of trauma, sexual violence and sexual abuse.

We are looking for an experienced Counsellor to join our team on a fixed-term parental leave contract. This is an opportunity to bring your therapeutic expertise to a well-established service and make a genuine difference in the lives of young people and families.

About the role

You will provide high-quality counselling and therapeutic support to young people and their families experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness. Your work will focus on family conflict, relationships, trauma, sexual violence and sexual abuse.

This is an opportunity for an experienced Counsellor to bring strong therapeutic knowledge and professional experience to the Ruby’s team. You will work collaboratively with other practitioners and, where appropriate, be someone colleagues can turn to for a second perspective, therapeutic discussion or peer support.

The role will suit someone who is confident in their own practice, enjoys working collaboratively and is comfortable sharing their knowledge and experience with others when required.

You will also:

• Complete holistic assessments and develop client-centred case plans.
• Support young people experiencing trauma, family conflict and homelessness.
• Provide counselling and case management to young people and families relating to sexual assault and sexual abuse.
• Work collaboratively with internal and external services and referral pathways.
• Advocate for young people and families to ensure their needs are met.
• Contribute therapeutic insight, peer support and guidance to colleagues when required.
• Build strong relationships with young people, families and community services.

• Maintain high standards of professional practice, ethics and documentation.

About you

You will be an experienced counselling professional who can work confidently with young people and families experiencing complex circumstances. You will bring a sound understanding of adolescent development, trauma and therapeutic practice.

We are particularly interested in people who can demonstrate experience with counselling theoretical approaches, such as:

• Narrative therapy
• Family and systems theory
• Attachment theory

These approaches are identified in the position description as key knowledge for the role.

Experience or training in family therapy and/or sexual abuse counselling will be highly regarded. We also value practitioners who are comfortable sharing their knowledge and providing peer support to colleagues when required, contributing to a collaborative and reflective therapeutic environment.

You will ideally bring:

• Professional experience delivering counselling services.
• Experience working with young people and families.
• Knowledge of adolescent development and the impacts of trauma.
• Strong communication, relationship-building and advocacy skills.
• The ability to manage competing priorities while maintaining quality practice.
• A strong commitment to ethical, culturally respectful and client-focused practice.
• A full, unrestricted Australian Driver's Licence.
• National Police Check and Working with Children Check, or willingness to obtain these as required.

Why join us? 

About Ruby’s?

This is an opportunity to step into an established therapeutic service where your counselling expertise can influence both individual outcomes and the broader team’s practice.

You will work alongside people who are committed to creating positive change for young people and families, while having the opportunity to contribute your own therapeutic perspective, knowledge and experience.

About Us 

Uniting Communities is a leading, inclusive not-for profit community services organisation working alongside more than 80,000 South Australians each year to reduce inequality, improve wellbeing, overcome disadvantage, and support people to live the best lives they can. We value diversity and are committed to providing respectful, accessible services. 

Why Work For Us? 

• In addition to your salary, you can package up to $15,900 per year pre-tax and additionally a $2,650 Meals and Entertainment card.  
• How could working for a Not-For-Profit impact your take home pay? Visit our salary packaging provider for details - Access Pay 
• 12 Weeks Paid Maternity Leave 
• 1 Week Paid Cultural Leave for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Staff 
• 1 Day of Community Engagement Leave 

Check out our additional benefits at www.unitingcommunities.org 

What Next? 

Please address the following questions in your cover letter, providing relevant examples of your professional experience, therapeutic approaches used, and your ability to support young people in a trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and strengths-based manner in addition to your current resume. 

Demonstrated experience working with families, including young people, parents, and caregivers, in a supportive, strengths-based, and trauma-informed manner.

and

Demonstrated experience providing therapeutic support and counselling to young people affected by sexual abuse, sexual harm, family violence, or other forms of trauma.

Due to the role being available for immediately, we will be shortlisting and interviewing applications as they are submitted.  

As an organisation, we are committed to protecting children, young people and vulnerable adults. All staff are required to work within our code of conduct and undergo relevant pre-employment checks