• Make a difference in the lives of children
• Attractive salary and excellent benefits
• Far Northern NSW location

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.

About the role:

The key role of the 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. The Therapeutic Specialist is primarily responsible for the provision of specialist therapeutic intervention with children/young people and therapeutic support to foster carers, kinship carers and other members of a child’s care team.

The primary objectives:

• 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 therapeutic service delivery.
• Participate in the provision of therapeutic advice to carers and professionals over the phone and via videoconferencing as required.
• Provide a coordinated, effective and timely response to children, carers and families of origin providing therapeutic 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.
• Contribute to the collaborative development of specialist trauma-based training to carers, staff and identified professionals to promote a shared understanding and approach to the therapeutic care and support needs of the child and deliver training as required.

About you:

• 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 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 NSW driver’s licence 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

For more information about the role or to request a copy of the position description, please email [email protected] using the subject line: Therapeutic Specialist - Albury enquiry via EthicalJobs.

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.