• Albury/Wodonga location
• Part-time (0.8fte) 4 days per week
• 12 month fixed-term contract

The Australian Childhood Foundation (ACF) has a strong reputation for delivery of therapeutic services, professional training and secondary consultation built upon up-to-date evidence based theoretical frameworks including the neurobiology of trauma, attachment and relational theories and child development. ACF also has a strong commitment to ensuring all of its services are culturally safe and strong. This theoretical framework provides the foundation upon which all elements of care and intervention are provided by the Foundation’s Therapeutic Services.

The RISE program focuses on addressing impacts of family violence to ensure children and families are safe, heal from their experiences of violence and develop resilience into the future. This program is delivered in partnership between ACF and Junction Support Services across the Ovens Murray region.

About the role:

Within the program, the Senior Child Counsellor / Therapeutic Specialist position is employed and managed by ACF. This role provides counselling and group programs to address the impacts of family violence for children, young people and their parents/carers. The role also has a clinical leadership focus with regard to the development and implementation of appropriate therapeutic support for children and young people within their particular care setting, including out of home care, and works closely with professionals and carers to develop trauma-informed therapeutic approaches to support children and young people recovering from family violence.

The primary objectives of the position are to:

• promote the ability of children and young people to recover from the effects of abuse, family violence, trauma and loss;
• ensure that risk and safety concerns are the subject of a continuous cycle of assessment and review for children and young people;
• resource parents/carers and others to provide nurturing, therapeutic, reparative care for children and young people who present with complex needs and challenging behaviours using a trauma framework;
• ensure that children and young people are provided with opportunities and assistance to participate in decisions that affect their lives;
• ensure a multi-systemic, integrated, coordinated, consistent and holistic response to the needs of children, young people and parents/carers;
• promote relationship and placement stability, and improve opportunities for children and young people to successfully transition from more intensive to less intensive placement options, to reunify with family, or have a robust leaving care plan;
• work with families in a supportive, inclusive and respectful way; and,
• ensure that meaningful planning occurs in regard to the cultural needs of Aboriginal and other culturally diverse children and young people.

About You – Key Selection Criteria:

• An appropriate tertiary qualification in Psychology, Social Work or a related discipline.
• Eligibility for membership of the relevant professional association.
• Demonstrated ability to provide leadership and direct service in the clinical assessment and treatment of children, young people and families.
• Highly developed ability to provide secondary consultation and advice to clinicians and other professionals.
• Demonstrated capacity to lead and manage in an area of challenging and complex practice.
• Demonstrated knowledge of trauma, attachment and neurobiology frameworks and theories.
• Substantial experience in the area of child abuse and/or in working with traumatised children.
• Demonstrated commitment to working collaboratively and the capacity to negotiate and liaise with volunteers, including carers, DFFH, other agencies and the community.
• A sophisticated understanding of the complexity of the service system and the issues involved in providing services to statutory clients.
• A current driver’s licence or equivalent.
• A current Working with Children check or equivalent

Remuneration & Benefits:

This position attracts a competitive base salary + mobile phone + tablet + superannuation + salary packaging.  The salary is determined on the basis of the employee’s experience and qualifications.

In joining a strong, values-based organisation, you will also have access to:

• • A generous Professional Development Allowance
  • Access to Wellbeing Initiatives

To Apply:

Interested in this new opportunity to make a difference in the lives of children?

To apply for this exciting opportunity please click here where you will be redirected to our internal portal.

For more information about the role or a copy of the position description please contact Bree Roberts – HR Officer at recruitment@childhood.org.au

Australian Childhood Foundation (ACF) is committed to protecting children and young people from harm. We require all applicants to undergo an extensive screening process prior to appointment.

ACF is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with cultural and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and people with a disability are strongly encouraged to apply.