Counsellor and Group Worker

The Mental Health and Wellbeing Connect Centres are led by the experiences of people who have lived/living experience of supporting someone with mental health challenges and/or substance use challenges. The Mental Health and Wellbeing Connect Centres provide a warm and welcoming space available to family, carers, kin and supporters of all ages and backgrounds, with no need for a referral. They provide opportunities to connect with peers along with tailored information, resources, advocacy, support (individually and group work), and access to brokerage funds through Tandem’s Carer Support Fund. 

Jesuit Social Services has been funded to deliver the Western Metro Mental Health and Wellbeing Connect Centre (the ‘Centre’). In establishing this exciting initiative, Jesuit Social Services is committed to engaging with and employing people with a lived/living experience of support or caring for people who have a mental health and/or substance related issues.

Jesuit Social Services’ Western Metro Mental Health and Wellbeing Connect Centre is contracted to deliver services two evenings a week and on Saturdays.

The Counsellor and Group Workers will report to the Coordinator Counselling and Group Work, Western Metro Mental Health and Wellbeing Connect and will:

• • Deliver high quality, strengths based, trauma informed, short-medium term counselling to families and carers who access the Centre. This is offered face-to-face at the Centre, through outreach in the community, and via telehealth.
  • Develop and facilitate group programs and activities across Western Melbourne that meet the wellbeing needs of carers that visit the Centre

• • Work with the Coordinator Counselling and Group work and broader team to deliver a Centre that is welcoming, driven by the voices of carers and relevant to their needs.
  • This role is based on-site in Sunshine

Competitive remuneration, plus salary packaging benefit, is offered together with ongoing professional and career development.

This role will suit a candidate with the following skills and experience:

1. Relevant tertiary qualification/s and valid Victorian Driver’s License (probationary minimum)
2. Experience delivering high-quality, short-term counselling and group work programs.
3. Experience working with a diverse range of participants, including individuals, families, children and carers in community and outreach environments
4. Capacity to fulfil reporting and administrative requirements associated with the position
5. Lived or living experience as a family member, carer or supporter of someone with mental health challenges, or substance use challenges is highly desirable

• A comprehensive Induction and Orientation program
• Ongoing role related training and development
• An organisation that is a preferred employer and lives their values, through our day to day work
• A welcoming, collaborative and supportive team environment
• Employee assistance program
• A competitive salary plus salary packaging benefits
• Generous, above industry leave

• For further information please contact Becky Halliday, Acting Manager, Western Metro Mental Health and Wellbeing Connect on 0459 304 ***.

Applicants are required to respond to each of the Key Selection Criteria, with names and contact numbers of two referees.

Your responses to the selection criteria should be incorporated into your covering letter.

Please apply in confidence.

Applications close at 5.00pm on Wednesday 26th August 2026.

Applications may be reviewed prior to the closing date and may be subject to change without notice.

Jesuit Social Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity and inclusion. We celebrate and welcome all people regardless of ethnicity, cultural background, age, gender, sexuality, disability or religious affiliation.

We strongly encourage applications from all community members including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, members of the LGBTIQA+ community, people with a disability, people of culturally diverse backgrounds and working parents.

Jesuit Social Services is a Child Safe organisation and is committed to protecting children and young people from harm. We require all applicants to undergo an extensive screening process prior to appointment.