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• Offender Counsellors
  • Accredited members
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The NSW Commission for Children and Young People administers a scheme to help you find or become an accredited counsellor to work with people who sexually offend against children.

Who benefits from the scheme?

• Children and young people
  the counsellors in the scheme have the best interests of children and young people at heart.
• Courts
  the courts know the counsellor is a recognised expert in the field.
• Clients
  clients work with counsellors who have specialist skills and experience.
• Counsellors
  counsellors are formally recognised for working in this highly specialised field.

How the scheme works

The NSW Child Sex Offender Counsellors Accreditation Scheme promotes the well-being of children and young people by establishing a public register of counsellors with the necessary knowledge and skill to work with people who sexually offend against children.

Minimum standards

Accredited professionals are required to:

• be currently working in a professional counselling capacity;
• be qualified as a psychologist, social worker, psychiatrist or other relevant professional;
• uphold the Australian and New Zealand Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers (ANZASTA) Code of Conduct and Ethics;
• be of good character;
• have a minimum level of education in specific areas relating to counselling child sex offenders; and
• have a minimum level of professional experience and supervision.

Accreditation types and levels

There are two types of accreditation:

1. professionals who work with children and young people who sexually offend against children
2. professionals who work with adults who sexually offend against children

There are three levels of accreditation:

1. associate
2. clinical
3. supervisor

Each accreditation level has different requirements. The requirements are outlined in Application Materials.

Accredited Professionals

A list of professionals accredited by the scheme is available from the Accredited Members page.

Assessment

Applications are assessed quarterly. Closing dates are 14 December, 31 March, 30 June and 30 December. There is no charge for accreditation.

A panel of relevant experts including a representative from the NSW Commission for Children and Young People assess the applications.

For more information about CSOCAS please follow the link to our Child Sex Offender Counsellor application materials page or phone the Commission on 02 9286 7276 or email kids@kids.nsw.gov.au.