First Response Counsellor
Applications are sought for a First Response Counsellor with Laurel Place Inc.
18 month contract; 4 days per week (30.4 hours).
Maroochydore location preferred (option to be based at Morayfield or Gympie offices).
SCHADS award - Level 5 + Superannuation and Salary Sacrifice available.
Applications close: 5pm Monday 5th January 2026.
Please email your application to *****@laurelplace.com.au. Application to consist of CV, Cover Letter & addressed Selection Criteria.
The primary focus of the First Response Counsellor position is to provide a first response to adults, children, and young people (and their non‑offending family/carer/supporters) who have experienced sexual assault/abuse. The First Response Counsellor provides information, referrals, and brief intervention support where indicated for all people contacting or referred to Laurel Place. This position is also responsible for assessing timeliness of response for counselling and support services across all 4 office locations. Development and maintenance of collaborative working relationships with other key stakeholders is a key component of this role.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities
* Provide a centrally located first response to clients phoning the service across all service locations, in a professional and trauma informed manner.
* Assess client needs via telephone, referral information, and initial intake sessions.
* Provide initial face to face and phone assessments/screeners for clients accessing the service and work with the First Response Coordinator and Team Leaders regarding priority allocations.
* Provide a range of short‑term trauma informed, developmentally sensitive, and culturally safe therapeutic interventions to women, men, children and young people (and their non‑offending family members/supporters) who have experienced sexual violence.
* Liaise and work collaboratively with statutory bodies and other relevant services regarding new referrals, case planning and monitor and implement safety plans concerns accordingly.
* Operate in compliance with all relevant ethical standards and legal regulations governing the provision of support services to survivors of sexual assault. This includes maintaining professional boundaries, respecting survivors' autonomy, and adhering to mandatory reporting requirements when necessary.
* Ensure the collection of statistical data is accurate and relevant and report same to the Team Leader.
* Participate in training, case planning/review and regular supervision.
* Work collaboratively with other members of the Laurel Place Team including the First Response and Adult Teams to help foster and support an organisational wide team spirit and achieve improved outcome for clients.
Selection Criteria (required)
* Minimum of a bachelor's degree in social work, psychology or similar, and experience in the field of sexual violence or similar.
* Demonstrated understanding of the gendered nature of sexual violence and its impact at both an individual and societal level.
* Demonstrated experience providing trauma informed, therapeutic interventions to adults, children, young people and their non‑offending family members, supporters and carers.
* Well‑developed skills in providing intake and assessments relevant to women, men and young people who have been affected by sexual violence, including the ability to prioritise clients based on need and provide risk assessments as required.
* Ability to engage in continuous improvement practices to ensure that clients of the service receive the highest quality response when first contacting Laurel Place Inc.
* Ability to work both independently and within a multidisciplinary team environment and effectively manage consistent exposure to traumatic and complex information.
* Demonstrate an ability to operate effectively in a fast‑paced environment, where timely responses and supportive interventions are critical.
Application Instructions
If you feel you are the right person for this positions and would like to work in a supportive environment, please forward your application to *****@laurelplace.com.au by 5pm Monday 5th January 2026.
All applications are to consist of CV, cover letter and addressed selection criteria for progression to shortlisting.
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