Applications are sought for two Specialist Mental Health Workers with Laurel Place Inc.

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• Specialist Mental Health Worker (2 positions)

• Full-time; 38 hours per week (job-share considered)

• SCHADS award - Level 6 + Superannuation and Salary Sacrifice available

• Maroochydore office (occasional travel to other Laurel Place offices may be required)

• 2.5 years fixed-term contract

• Applications close 5pm, Wednesday 8th July 2026

 

Please email your application to admin@laurelplace.com.au or apply via Seek.

Include in your application your cover letter, response to the selection criteria questions and a brief C.V.  Please note, applications will be checked for AI content as specialised knowledge and written communication skills are important components of the role.

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Organisational Environment:

Laurel Place Inc. is funded by The Department of Families, Seniors, Disability Services, & Child Safety. Laurel Place is governed by a Board drawn from the local community. The service employs approximately fifty staff across four programs and four locations in Maroochydore, Gympie, Murgon as well as Moreton Bay

 

The service provides a range of options to women, men, children, young people, families and the community that work towards reducing the impact and incidence of sexual violence in the Sunshine Coast, Gympie, South Burnett, and Moreton Bay Regions. Laurel Place also operates Women’s Space from the Maroochydore location which provides support to women who have experienced all forms of gendered violence.

 

The service also focuses on providing education, information and resources to the target groups and wider community.

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Position Description

The primary purpose of this position is to provide specialist, trauma-informed, culturally responsive mental health support to individuals recovering from experiences of domestic, family and sexual violence, and other forms of gender-based violence. The position will involve a combination of intake and assessment, direct service delivery to clients, as well as providing specialist advice to other Laurel Place counsellors and informing Laurel Place practice guidelines.  

  

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide direct therapeutic counselling and support to individuals, primarily women and young women who have been impacted by domestic, family, sexual, or other gender-based violence, who are experiencing mental health concerns.

• Conduct thorough intakes and assessments for victim-survivors of domestic, family, and sexual violence who are experiencing mental health concerns and seeking support from Laurel Place.

• Support the First Response Team in responding to in-person or phone crisis presentations where mental health concerns may be indicated.

• Facilitate an integrated mental health support response through effective referral coordination, collaborative care and wrap around support.

• Provide expert advice and consultation to counselling team members on how to most effectively support clients with their unique mental health and psychosocial support needs.

• Support Laurel Place to offer mental health support to victim-survivors of domestic, family, and/or sexual violence consistent with current evidence-based practice and contribute to Laurel Place practice guidelines.

• Remain up to date with the latest sector needs, legislation, policy and practice guidelines in relation to the intersection of gender-based violence and mental health.

• Liaise with community and sector networks and develop appropriate collaborative partnerships with relevant services and agencies.

• Provide relevant information and resources to service users and other stakeholders as required.

• Timely collection of statistical data and preparation of (deidentified) case studies for reporting purposes.

• Participate in training, case planning and team meetings for service staff.

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All Service Staff Duties:

• Work within and towards the organisational vision, mission, and values

• Ensure the maintenance of client confidentiality including keeping confidential client records;

• Participate in annual staff appraisals/assessments;

• Participate in ongoing professional development and training;

• Participate in annual and other planning sessions to develop a strategic response to Domestic, Family and Gender based violence;

• Support a culture of transparency and accountability within the service, and contribute to a positive, collaborative, and supportive workplace culture and environment;

• Contribute to overall tidiness and cleanliness of shared office spaces;

• Perform any other reasonable tasks at the request of the leadership team.

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 Primary Delegations and Accountabilities / Reporting Relationships

• Due to the diverse nature of the Specialist Mental Health Worker roles, which will offer support across teams, these positions will report directly to the Executive Director of Laurel Place Inc.

• Work as part of a team (Board of Management, Executive Director, Director of Counselling Services, Managers, Team Leaders, Counsellors, Support Worker for First Nations Clients, Centre Support and Business Support Officers).

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Selection Criteria: 

1. Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology or similar, and experience in the field of sexual violence or similar.  

2. Demonstrated understanding of the gendered nature of sexual violence and its impact at both an individual and societal level.

3. Demonstrated experience providing trauma informed, therapeutic interventions to adults, children, young people and their non-offending family members, supporters and carers.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. Ability to work both independently and within a multidisciplinary team environment and effectively manage consistent exposure to traumatic and complex information.

7. Demonstrate an ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced environment, where timely responses and supportive interventions are critical.

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Essential: 

• Must possess (or be eligible for) a working with children check – Positive Notice Blue Card

• Current Open Qld Driver’s Licence

• Eligibility to work in Australia

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  If you feel you are the right person for this position and would like to be part of growing not for profit organisation that values staff, invests in your professional development and work in a supportive environment, please forward your CV, Cover Letter and addressed Selection Criteria to admin@laurelplace.com.au or apply via Seek.

 

Applications close 5pm  5pm Wednesday 8th July 2026.

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Only applications who address the selection criteria will be considered.