• Make a difference in the lives of children
• Competitive salary and excellent benefits package including, phone, tablet and salary packaging
• Co-located across Sale and Morwell (12 month contract)

The Australian Childhood Foundation has a strong reputation for delivery of clinical services, professional training and secondary consultation programs built upon up to date and evidence and based upon theoretical frameworks including the neurobiology of trauma, attachment and relational theories and child development.  This theoretical framework provides the foundation upon which all elements of care and intervention are provided by the therapeutic care programs.

The opportunity:

The key role of the Therapeutic Specialist is to act as a specialist therapeutic consultant and practitioner, working in partnership with out of home care providers to deliver therapeutically enriched home based care to children. The Therapeutic Specialist is primarily responsible for the provision of specialist therapeutic support to the carers and other members of the care team, the delivery of specialised training about trauma and therapeutic care to professionals, carers and volunteer support people, and direct therapeutic work with children where appropriate. The position has a key leadership role with regard to the development and implementation of appropriate therapeutic support for each child..

Your primary responsibilities:

• Participate in program development, implementation and review of the program, working collaboratively to contribute to the successful development and implementation of the program.
• Be involved in the implementation and monitoring of quality assurance measures within the program, including the development of quality assurance and quality improvement frameworks for clinical service delivery.
• Work in partnership with foster care workers to ensure a coordinated, effective and timely response to children, carers and families of origin providing clinical leadership in the implementation of the program including assessment procedures, needs identification, risk assessment, practice guidelines, case documentation and transition planning.
• Provide referral and assessment advice to Child Protection, Placement Co-ordination Unit, foster care providers and other referrers regarding the eligibility and placement matching of children into the program.
• Undertake specialised trauma assessments for children and young people referred into the program and from other sources.
• Provide, where appropriate, direct individual and parent/child trauma counselling to children within the program to promote their recovery from the effects of their abuse.

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.
• A commitment to understanding and working in culturally respectful ways.
• Demonstrated commitment to working collaboratively and the capacity to negotiate and liaise with volunteers, including carers, DHS, 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 Victorian driver’s licence or equivalent.

Remuneration & Benefits:

The salary package is based on the terms and conditions of a Social and Community Services Employee Level 6 under the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award 2010.

In joining a strong, values based organisation, you will also have access to ongoing Professional Development and an Employee Assistance Program.

To apply:

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 contact recruitment@childhood.org.au

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.

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