• Initial contract to June 2025 with possible view to extend (funding dependent)
• Part-time four days per week
• East Perth office location

About the Program

This position forms a part of the OurSPACE WA Program. OurSPACE is a statewide counselling, therapeutic consultation and support service for Department of Communities foster and family carers. The program provides culturally responsive, trauma informed support to empower carers to understand and meet the needs of the children in their care. OurSPACE stands for Safe, Predictable, Adaptive, Connected and Empowered.

OurSPACE WA helps to reduce stress for carers and improve placements for children by providing confidential counselling, empowering carers to better understand and respond to their children's therapeutic needs, and by offering support into the care team to strengthen the networks surrounding carers and their children. OurSPACE WA provides an integrated model of therapeutic counselling and specialised carer support, that responds to the unique and interrelated challenges and needs of carers. The OurSPACE WA service is predominately delivered via phone or videocall. The program has a Senior Aboriginal Counsellor who provides culturally safe and responsive support for Aboriginal carers.

About the Role

The key role of the Senior Counsellor/Therapeutic Specialist is to act as a specialist therapeutic consultant and practitioner, working in partnership with children, carers, and networks of professionals to deliver the program. This position is primarily responsible for the provision of therapeutic counselling and support to foster carers and family carers via tele-health. Undertake initial screening of referrals for counselling and conduct comprehensive assessments.

About You

• A 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 and their caregivers.
• 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.
• Personal values consistent with the values of the organisation.
• A current Western Australian driver's licence or equivalent.
• A current Western Australian Working with Children Check or willingness to obtain.

Remuneration and Benefits

• Competitive Compensation: Commensurate with experience and qualifications.
• Salary Packaging: Customise your rewards to align with your financial goals.
• Employee Assistance Program: Benefit from a range of support services for well-being.
• Guided Supervision: Regular individual and group supervision for clinical guidance.
• Collaborative Connections: Join a nationwide network of professionals making a difference.
• Resources Library: Access a wealth of knowledge and insights from leading experts.

To Apply

If you are interested in making a difference in the lives of children, please click "Apply Now" and attach a copy of your current resume along with a cover letter addressing each of the Key Selection Criteria.

For more information about the role or a copy of the position description, please contact Human Resources at [email protected] using the subject line: Senior Counsellor / Therapeutic Specialist enquiry via EthicalJobs.

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 peoples, people with cultural and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and people with a disability are strongly encouraged to apply.

Members of the LGBTIQ+ community are strongly encouraged to apply.