Applying to be an Approved Counsellor
about the Approved Counselling Scheme
who is eligible to obtain counselling?
how many hours of counselling can victims receive?
applying to be an approved counsellor
approval of counsellors
eligibility of approved counsellors
other conditions for the approved counsellor
- about the Approved Counselling Scheme
The Victims Support and Rehabilitation Act 1996 provides for an Approved Counselling Scheme, offering counselling services to eligible applicants.
Counselling is available for:
- Victims of violent crime in NSW who will need to complete an initial 2 hour application form.
- Family members and relatives of a homicide victim who will need to complete an application form for up to 20 hours of counselling.
- who is eligible to obtain counselling?
An applicant is may claim counselling with an Approved Counsellor if they:
- Were a victim of an act of violence; or
- Witnessed an act of violence upon the primary victim;
- Are the parent or guardian of a victim of an act of violence, and the victim was under the age of 18 years at the time of the act; or
- Are the relative of a victim who died as a result of an act of violence
- how many hours of counselling can victims receive?
A victim of violent crime is eligible for an initial 2 hours counselling and up to an additional 20 hours can be approved by an Assessor. Requests for counselling which exceed this number need to be considered by the Director of Victims Services.
Where a victim died as a result of an act of violence, their relatives are eligible to apply for up to 20 hours of counselling with an Approved Counsellor.
Any further counselling and support needs can be discussed with the victim as to possible options for further assistance.
- applying to be an approved counsellor
The Victims of Crime Bureau provides support, information and referral services to victims of crime, and administers an Approved Counselling Scheme. We are currently seeking professionals to add to our list of Approved Counsellors, particularly from rural NSW, Australia. Applicants must either be fully registered as a psychologist in New South Wales, Australia, a member of the Australian Association of Social Workers or a member of the RANZCP. Rates vary from $70 to $110 per hour dependent on profession.
For application packages please contact the Victims of Crime Bureau.
'Approved Counsellors' have been approved by the Victims of Crime Bureau’s Accreditation Board which comprises representatives from the Bureau, the Psychologists' Registration Board, the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, the Australian Association of Social Workers and the NSW Department of Health.
- eligibility of approved counsellors
To be accepted as an approved counsellor for the purposes of the Victims Support and Rehabilitation Act 1996, counsellors must
1. be a member of either:
- the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP); or
- a member of the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW); or
- be fully registered as a psychologist, with the NSW Psychologists’ Registration Board; and
2. demonstrate a minimum of two years experience as a registered provider in their profession; and
3. demonstrate currency in the counselling of victims of crime (within the past 12 months); and
4. demonstrate currency in professional training and development in relation to counselling victims of crime; and
5. identify an ability to assess victims of crime and develop intervention plans.
- other conditions for the approved counsellor
In addition to meeting the approval criteria, counsellors must:
I. provide their own professional indemnity insurance;
II. be available to see victims of crime within 48 hours of first contact for an initial assessment;
III. agree to abide by their own professional code and the Code of Conduct for authorised counsellors;
IV. sign a Statement of Fitness to Provide Counselling;
V. agree to accept the government determined fee for approved counsellors;
VI. agree to abide by the decisions of the Victims Compensation Tribunal as to who is eligible for counselling;
VII. provide regular reports as required at pre-determined intervals;
VIII. not receive payment from any other source for work undertaken on behalf of the Victims Compensation Tribunal.
Approval is provided for the period of 2 years, subject to the above conditions and will be reviewed at the end of that period.
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