Resources for community legal centre workers

 

Workers in the community legal centre sector in NSW are able to access the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for free counselling and wellbeing support.

All sector employees are entitled to six free confidential counselling sessions for each issue or problem you encounter. For example, a death in your family and a problem at work are different 'issues', and you are entitled to six counselling sessions for each of these issues.

Access the Employee Assistance Program »

Most workers in community legal centres in NSW are eligible to join the Australian Services Union (ASU). If you would like to join the ASU, or would like more information about the union, click here.

Most community legal centres in NSW refer to the SCHADS Award as the basis of rates of pay for staff.

Further details about the SCHADS award are available on the Fair Work website, click here. 

This is a running list of support services that is produced by, or recommended during, the Vicarious Trauma: Network of Practice meetings.

Free, confidential, psychological support for staff is available through:

  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Benestar
    Workers in the community legal centre sector in NSW are able to access the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for free counselling and wellbeing support.
    Phone: 0800 360 364
     
  • Solicitor Outreach Service (SOS)
    The Law Society NSW connects NSW solicitors to confidential, psychological support. Contact PeopleSense by Altius on 1800 592 296 (24 hour)

     
  • 1800RESPECT
    Information and resources for professionals who support people impacted by sexual assault, domestic and family violence. Counsellors can also provide clinical consultations and referrals to support for professionals experiencing work-induced stress and trauma. 
    Phone: 1800 737 732 (24 hour)

     
  • Full Stop Australia
    Expert counsellors and care coordinators available 24 hours a day, seven days a week via telephone or online chat. Offers vicarious trauma support and debrief for professionals.
    Phone: 1800 385 578

Publicly available support services that might be useful include:

Other support services

  • The Relational Institute Clinic
    Mental and emotional health Gestalt therapy services at affordable rates.

Current at March 2021

This is a running list of resources and research is produced by, or recommended in, the Vicarious Trauma: Network of Practice.

Resources

  • Kozarov v State of Victoria
    Groundbreaking High Court decision that has shifted the onus "back onto the employer" to provide "a safe place to work and to take measures to look after" staff in instances of psychiatric injury. 
     
  • Justice doing in community work & therapy: from ‘burnout’ to solidarity
    In this talk, Vikki illuminates her stance for an ethic of Justice Doing as a frame for community work and therapy, and consider the intersections, tensions and affinities between community work practice, therapy and social justice activism.

This is a running list of training options that is produced by, or recommended during, the Vicarious Trauma: Network of Practice meetings.

List current at March 2021