Caraniche Forensic Youth Service are looking for a skilled specialist clinician to join our team at Parkville Youth Justice Precinct. The role supports a specialist support unit designed to provide enhanced, intensive treatment to young people. The Primary Clinician is embedded within the unit and provides holistic care to improve the health, well-being and lives of young people. The Primary Clinician will also support staff on a daily basis to respond therapeutically to young people who are demonstrating complex behaviours.

• Fantastic opportunity to use your clinical skills to support positive change for young people in Youth Justice
• Parkville Youth Justice Precinct
• Full Time or 0.8 FTE

Caraniche:

With over 25 years in the field, Caraniche is a specialist provider of a broad range of psychological services. We are a thriving, dynamic and energetic company committed to providing quality care in the field of forensic alcohol and other drug services, youth criminogenic assessment and treatment, clinical supervision, trauma services and evaluation and training. Our focus is on supporting our clients to help them build a better future.

Our vision is making connections that better lives.

We Offer

• A strong commitment to supervision, with opportunity to learn and develop from knowledgeable senior clinicians who have worked within criminal justice settings for many years. This is backed by a provision of financial support towards specialised endorsement through AHPRA.
• Peer based learning is considered paramount, particularly in the forensic environment, and clinicians participate in monthly peer supervision to formulate and analyse offending behaviour.
• Ongoing training and development including formal risk assessment training, in house personal development and paid training leave days each year to contribute towards CPD.
• A supportive leadership team who are dedicated to improving the lives and trajectories of young people.
• Opportunities for growth for experienced clinicians who are interested in developing their supervision skills, obtaining formal supervisor training and providing supervision to students, provisional psychologists and clinicians. If desired, clinicians can also gain experience in delivering training to professionals working within criminal justice settings.
• Full administration support, from a highly supportive, friendly and efficient administration team.
• Social Events to connect our teams, recognise our work and enjoy a chat!

The position- Primary Clinician

Based on a dedicated unit designed to provide support to young people who are having difficulties managing their behaviour in the broader custodial environment. Young people receive intensive intervention to reduce the frequency and intensity of disruptive behaviours that are likely to cause harm. The Primary Clinician is supported by the Parkville Team Leader and Manager of Forensic Youth Services.

This is a unique role, that is client focussed though daily support and engagement with the young people though psychological assessment and treatment. Assessment and treatment with young people is individualised, varied and specifically focussed on improving young people’s capacity to self-regulate, improve distress tolerance, and understand the impact of their peer relationships. Ultimately, reducing maladaptive responses and behaviours, whilst increasing treatment readiness and motivation to engage with clinical supports is our goal. The applicant should have a sound understanding of the impact of trauma and disrupted attachment on behavioural response. Conducting comprehensive assessments of clients’ needs and writing reports to guide treatment planning and case management recommendations is also required. Additionally, there is capacity to engage young people in treatment in groups or on an individual basis where individualised treatment needs have been identified. We have an extensive program suit to support young people’s treatment needs. The programs are research based and have been developed by leaders in the forensic psychology field.

A key feature of this role is ongoing collaboration with key stakeholders and professionals from multidisciplinary backgrounds including the specialist trained Youth Justice Custodial staff. Liaison and case consultation, attendance and facilitation of Care Team meetings and staff development/training opportunities are embedded within the role.

Who are we looking for

We have worked hard to create a positive, collaborative team culture comprising skilled clinicians who are committed to providing evidence-based treatment and promote long term behaviour change. We are looking for a clinician who is a team player, is client focussed (to see the young person and what is driving their behaviours), has a warm empathic and engaging style and is wanting to work within a custodial setting to promote behaviour change to young people who require intensive intervention.

Ideally, applicants will have experience with, and/or a strong desire to work with a youth cohort who are culturally and linguistically diverse and present with overlapping needs including complex trauma, behavioural issues, mental health, substance use, low cognitive functioning. This is a fast paced and dynamic role so organisational skills including an ability to prioritise tasks is essential.

This role may suit someone who has previously worked or has experience working therapeutically within a residential care unit with young people or adults, secure welfare or similar type settings.

Key Selection Criteria

Essential

• Registration with the AHPRA or AASW.
• High level of interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills.
• Experience in clinical and/behavioural analysis assessment, case formulation and treatment.
• Experience supporting client in distress tolerance techniques and improving emotional regulation.
• Confident working in a dynamic, fast paced environment.
• Flexible and agile approach to work.
• Commitment to Child Safe Standards and Practices.
• A sound understanding of the impact of trauma and disrupted attachment

Preferable

• An understanding of systems-based frameworks
• Proficient in the use of information technology.
• Previous experience working with mandated or client with a contemplative or pre-contemplative mindset.

Why apply?

This is an opportunity to work in a specialised area of forensic psychology and develop your clinical skills, whilst being supported by a collegial and enthusiastic team environment. There is diversity and opportunity for growth and development in the role, where no two days are the same!

This is a fantastic career opportunity for clinicians who are looking for complex, highly valuable clinical work.

More information

Please remember to include your CV and a cover letter addressing the key selection criteria.

If you have any questions relating to the position, please contact our Talent Acquisition Team at [email protected], using the subject line: Psychologist / Social Worker / Occupational Therapist enquiry via EthicalJobs.

Our commitment to diversity

At Caraniche we value diversity and believe that a range of backgrounds brings a variety of ideas, perspectives and experiences that will enhance our effectiveness.

We promote a workplace that actively seeks to include, welcome and value unique contributions by encouraging people with disability, Aboriginal Australians, LGBTQIA, and people from culturally diverse backgrounds to apply for this position.

Safety screening

Caraniche is committed to child safety and is a child safe organisation. All Caraniche employees must undergo Police Checks and Working with Children Checks.