Clinical PACFA members can apply to become an approved counsellor with Victims Services in New South Wales.
Victims Services is a government agency and is part of the NSW Department of Justice. Victims Services provide counselling to victims of crime and their families, as well as the family and friends of missing people.
The approved counselling service supports people who often have complex trauma symptoms. This includes counselling services for the National Redress Scheme for survivors of childhood sexual abuse. Counselling is provided to victims of crime on a short-term basis of up to 22 hours, with a clear focus on rehabilitation, and aims to assist victims recover from the psychological and emotional impacts the crime has had on them.
The application process to become an approved counsellor with Victims Services generally takes about four weeks from the time the application is received. Acceptance to provide services is based on eligibility criteria and the discretion of the Commissioner. The eligibility criteria can be found on the Victims Services website. In areas where there is a shortage of suitable providers, the Commissioner does have discretion to accept providers who do not have a minimum of three years’ experience as a fully registered provider of clinical services.
Victims Services no longer accepts applications from Interim Counsellors. Victims Services welcomes applications from suitably qualified persons to become an Approved Counsellor under the Scheme. Applicants can apply to become an Approved Counsellor via this link on the Victims Services website.
Clinical PACFA members are eligible to apply to become an Approved Counsellor and must meet all requirements on the eligibly criteria to be considered.
Visit the Victims Service website for further information and to apply.