• Make a difference in the lives of children
• Attractive salary and excellent benefits including, phone, tablet and salary packaging
• Part time (three days per week) Launceston based 6 month contract available

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:

We currently have a part time Therapeutic Specialist role available in our Launceston office providing therapeutic services including family violence counselling for a 6 month period.

The aim of our therapeutic service is to collaborate with CSS, out of home care providers and carers in the creation of 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. ACF views 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.

About the role:

We are seeking a passionate and energetic Therapeutic Specialist who will act as a specialist therapeutic consultant and practitioner within the program and for other children/young people referred to ACF. You will provide specialized training about trauma and therapeutic care to professionals, staff, carers, volunteer support people, as well as working directly with children and young people where appropriate. You will have a key leadership role with regards to the development and implementation of appropriate therapeutic support for children, young people, carers and families.

As the Therapeutic Specialist, you will be responsible for the key areas of:

• Program development, implementation and review
• Specialist therapeutic support and advice
• Therapeutic work with children
• Delivery of training on trauma and therapeutic care
• Advocacy and research

About you:

• An appropriate tertiary qualification in Psychology, Social Work or a related discipline.
• 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 and young people.
• Demonstrated commitment to working collaboratively and the capacity to negotiate and liaise with volunteers, including carers, 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 Tasmanian driver’s license and Working with Vulnerable People 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:

• A generous Professional Development Allowance
• Employee Assistance Program

To apply:

Please email recruitment@childhood.org.au to request a copy of the position description for this role or for more information on the role. Then to apply please email recruitment@childhood.org.au with a copy of your current resume along with a cover letter addressing each of the Key Selection Criteria (located in the position description).

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.