Team Leader, Client Services – Hunter

What’s ACON’s Peer and Client Services?

The Peer and Client Services division works alongside LGBTQ+ people to support their health and wellbeing through one-on-one or group interventions. Our community-led service offerings bring together a deep understanding of LGBTQ+ communities and meaningful, tailored support. Whether through peer work, counselling, care coordination or group work we create safe, affirming spaces where people feel seen, heard, and supported.

We are looking for someone to join our Hunter team and play a vital role in supporting our care coordinators/counsellors.

Ok, so what’s the role?

ACON provides services to people living with (PLHIV), affected by or at risk of HIV, and to sexually and/or gender diverse people in NSW that are aged 18 or over. This position is responsible for:

1.  The line supervision and support of ACON’s funded counselling services, and care coordination team to ensure the highest quality counselling support to PLHIV, and to sexuality and gender diverse people.
2. Lead and support team functions related to service quality and performance, including monitoring and reporting on KPIs, contributing to continuous quality improvement initiatives, facilitating team meetings, supporting staff through the Learning & Development framework, and coordinating Professional Development Processes (PDPs) to ensure alignment with clinical standards and organisational goals.
3. Managing a small counselling/care coordination caseload using a short-term, solution-focused counselling approach to clients presenting with a range of mental health needs relating to HIV, gender and sexuality, mental health and substance support as well as ageing and domestic and family violence.

Who are we looking for?

This positions main responsibilities are:

• Plan, schedule, deliver and evaluate ACON’s counselling and care coordination services to achieve established goals and objectives in line with ACON’s Business and Strategic Plans.
• Ensure these services are delivered within ACON’s protocols and policies.
• Provide regular line supervision and de-briefing support (as required) to your team of care coordinator/counsellors.
• Work alongside the Peer Work Team Leaders to case conference high risk or immediate need clients.
• Contribute to regular Peer and Client Service Team Leader meetings to best identify ways of meeting community needs and supporting the sustainability and wellbeing of the overall Hunter Peer and Client Services team.
• Liaise with all teams within Peer and Client Services to ensure referrals and intakes are completed ensuring smooth and efficient allocation of clients to the most appropriate service stream.
• Support care coordinator/counsellors to utilise a range of best practice strategies within ACON’s model of care, including effective care and support strategies for clients living with or impacted by HIV.
• Consult on Counselling and Care Coordination Services policies and procedures as needed.
• Ensure you team collects and records high quality client information in the electronic client record database.
• Actively lead team meetings and participate in broader unit meetings, general staff meetings, quality improvement and professional development strategies.
• Continually enhance networks with primary health care, agencies and external service providers to ensure that all clients are provided with a comprehensive range of options and referrals.
• Provide short-term solutions focused counselling and care coordination to a caseload of between 6-10 clients of PLHIV, and people of diverse sexuality and gender. This includes providing referrals to appropriate external health and community services including specialist counselling, legal and social support.
• Maintain a professional standard of behaviour and the confidentiality of all information pertaining to clients and their families.
• Perform other duties to assist with the work of the unit as requested by the Manager (or designate).

What else can we tell you?

ACON provides a colourful, nurturing, and fun workplace. Our employees and volunteers are the foundation for our ongoing effectiveness and for our capacity to deliver innovative community engagement and health promotion programs and initiatives for our communities.

To support the successful candidate in their new role at ACON we offer:

• Flexible working arrangements.
• Generous learning and development opportunities.
• Potential for tailored mentoring opportunities.
• Supportive working environment with a knowledgeable and friendly team.

What’s the remuneration and working details? 

Salary:                 $112,257 Gross per-annum (PLUS Superannuation and Leave Loading) – commensurate with skills, qualifications, and experience.

Location:            ACON’s Awabakal / Hunter Office in Newcastle with some flexible working options a possibility (away from the office). This role is to support a Hunter based team, but you can be Hunter or Sydney based, or within 2 hours of Hunter and with ability to travel to office once a week with overnight in Newcastle (travel time during work hours and accommodation provided by ACON)

Hours:             Full time, 70 hours per fortnight

We offer flexible working arrangements and a generous array of entitlements often above the National Employment Standards (NES) including:

• Salary Packaging up to $35,000 gross up value (i.e., currently up to $15,900 Expenses + $2,650 Meals, tax free).
• Generous pro-rata leave entitlements – including up to an extra week of paid leave for full time employees to be taken during our Christmas and New Year’s shutdown period.
•  Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – access to a comprehensive counselling service free to employees.

How can I find out more details and apply? 

If this sounds like you, we invite you to apply to join our team and help us make a meaningful impact on the lives of those we serve. By joining us, you will be part of a mission to create a healthier and more inclusive community.

We’d love someone who has experience already in this area but people at all levels of experience are absolutely welcome to apply. We highly encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people from CALD backgrounds, people with disabilities, and people of all genders to apply.

For more information on the role, please contact Louise Dunne, Regional Operations Manager, via email at ldunne@acon.org.au or (02) 49627700.

If this sounds like the position and organisation you’ve been looking for, find out how to apply at www.acon.org.au/jobs.

Your ONLINE APPLICATION must include:

1.              Your completed ACON Employment Application Form with all the details filled in where requested; attaching your:

• a. Cover Letter outlining how the position aligns with your Personal Values and Interests, and how your Skills and Experience meet the Essential Selection Criteria in the Position Description; and
• b. Resume outlining any current and previous employment and training. Be sure to include your Education History and any Formal Qualifications, Major / Minor Study Fields, Honours and Publications, and Work Experience (including Paid Jobs, Internships, and Volunteer work).