• A Fixed Term Full-time or Part-time Maternity Leave Contract (approx. 21st January 2022)

About the role:

The Therapeutic Specialist role reports through to the Senior Therapeutic Specialists / ITC Manager. The position works closely with the Managers and Coordinators of the local region to deliver clinical and therapeutic services for children, young people, families, and carers who are clients of the programs.

The Therapeutic Specialist is responsible for guiding and supporting carer and staff interactions with children and young people, conducting assessments, developing therapeutic treatment plans and leading reflective practice to support carers and staff to develop their therapeutic skills. In addition, the Therapeutic Specialist will as required provide therapeutic services including Family Therapy directly to the children, young people and families who are clients of our services.

The Therapeutic Specialist works closely with the Manager, program staff and other service partners in the management of complex cases and practice quality issues. This includes the provision of specialist expertise and assistance, case consultancy and review and the promotion of reflective and evidence-based practice

About you:

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• A knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal culture and values and an awareness of the current issues faced by Aboriginal children, young people and their families.
• Current registration as a psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia and a higher degree in psychology at Masters level is preferred.
• Post Graduate training in relevant child, adolescent and family clinical practice, family therapy and systemic thinking is strongly preferred.
• Experience in completing assessments for children and young people and using the findings to complete a comprehensive therapeutic written report/care plan designed to inform staff and child interactions and the Care Team’s planning.
• A knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal culture and values and an awareness of the current issues faced by Aboriginal children, young people and their families in OOHC.
• Practice knowledge relevant to working with traumatised and vulnerable children, young people and families such as: child development and the impact of trauma; including the ability to provide therapeutic clinical assessment and trauma informed interventions.
• A well-developed understanding of Attachment and Trauma Theories, their relationship to child abuse and neglect, together with an understanding of social, emotional and cognitive disabilities and an ability to assist others to understand their associated implications.
• Experience in providing supervision, secondary consultation, training and advice to clinicians, other professionals, staff and carers.
• Proven highly developed interpersonal skills, emotional intelligence and excellent engagement skills, especially in engaging children and young people who have experienced significant trauma, disrupted attachment and demonstrate extreme emotional and behavioural dysregulation.
• A track record of working collaboratively and the demonstrated capacity to negotiate and liaise with internal and external stakeholders including, FACS, other agencies and the community.
• Demonstrable analytical problem-solving skills, the ability to assess options and identify and implement creative, innovative and flexible solutions.
• Evidence of a holistic understanding of the complexity of the child protection and out-of-home care service system and the issues involved in providing services to statutory clients.
• Evidence of personal values consistent with the values of MacKillop Family Services including a willingness to embrace the Sanctuary Model and Principles.

You must:

• Hold a current and valid employee type, Working with Children's Check (WWCC).
• Hold a current and valid NSW driver's license.
• Have a satisfactory criminal history check conducted by MacKillop Family Services.
• MacKillop is committed to be a child safe organisation. Applicants will be required to undergo a national criminal record checks and have an employment working with children's check.

How to Apply:

Click 'Apply for this Job' where you will be redirected to the ITC Therapeutic Specialist vacancy within MacKillop's careers page.

Please address the key selection criteria (as outlined in the Position Description) within your cover letter, as part of your application.