• Make a difference in the lives of children
• Competitive salary and excellent benefits package including phone, tablet and salary packaging
• Canberra location fixed term Contract position available until the end of December 2020

The Australian Childhood Foundation forms part of the ACT Together consortium that aims to bring a trauma-informed, integrated and coherent service response to improve outcomes for children in the Out of Home Care system. In collaboration with CYPS, and carers we will create a holistic, dependable, and predictable therapeutic environments for children and young people who have experienced abuse and trauma in their lives within which they can recover from the bio-psycho-social-cultural effects of their experiences. The Foundation and the other consortium members believe that interventions are most successful when carers, support networks and professionals enact collaborative and intersecting functions that can achieve protective, reparative and restorative objectives for children and young people.

The key role of the Therapeutic Specialist within the Therapeutic Assessor role is to work with the ACT Together staff, carers, children, young people and other key individuals to undertake therapeutic assessment reviews.

The primary objectives of the therapeutic service are to:

• Undertake interviews with designated carers.
• Interview children and young people at the centre of the assessment review, as required.
• Interview family members and other key individuals in the carers network as required.
• Interview ACT Together case managers and other professionals engaged with the child/young person including undertaking a review of relevant case notes.
• Review and analyse data and reports and the child/young person’s child protection case file and MyStory file.
• Administer, score and interpret results of Strengths & Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ)
• Complete a minimum of 5-6 assessment review reports each month, in line with both ACF and ACT Together requirements.
• Mentor and support casework staff in completing TARs in accordance with a Quality Assurance Framework
• Deliver Therapeutic Assessment Review training to casework staff and their managers

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 in the assessment and treatment of children, young people and families.
• 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 individuals who make up the network of support around children and young people, including carers, child protection, 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 + 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:

• Professional Development (up to $1000 (pro-rata) per year)
• Employee Assistance Program

To apply:

To apply for this position please forward a copy of your current resume along with a cover letter addressing each of the “About You” criteria (listed above) to recruitment@childhood.org.au

Or for more information about the role or to request a copy of the position description, please email recruitment@childhood.org.au

Applications will be assessed and continued until the right candidates are sought, no close date will be issued, if you are interested please apply as soon as practicable.

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 encouraged to apply.