• Permanent part time opportunity, Geelong location
• 0.5EFT (5 days per fortnight) ongoing, plus 0.1EFT (1 day per fortnight) fixed term until May 2021

About MacKillop Family Services

At MacKillop, we believe every child deserves the best. And the best place for children is in a safe and supportive family, where they are nurtured to develop to their full potential. We provide high quality services to promote healing from trauma and loss, and to enable hopeful futures.

Our existence as MacKillop Family Services began on 1 July 1997. But our history extends back more than 150 years, when the Sisters of Mercy, Christian Brothers and Sisters of St Joseph began their work in Australia, establishing homes for children who were orphaned, destitute or neglected, and for families in need of care and support. Just like our founders, we are deeply committed to our work and we are driven by social justice.

About the role

This position is situated within the Therapeutic Residential Care (TRC) Program which is responsible for intensive and time-limited care for a child or young person in statutory care that responds to the complex impacts of abuse, neglect and separation from family. Therapeutic care is achieved through the creation of positive, safe, healing relationships and experiences informed by a sound understanding of trauma, attachment and developmental needs.

The Therapeutic Specialist provides therapeutic leadership and trauma informed interventions based on sound practice expertise and contemporary research that delivers positive outcomes for vulnerable children and families.

The primary objective of this role is to add value over and above the residential and case management aspects of the TRC program, by developing therapeutic strategies and plans for each individual child or young person, supporting and guiding staff in the implementation of these strategies and plans to facilitate the development of new skills and perspectives to help them expand their strengths to facilitate healing and recovery. The Therapeutic Practitioner will also collaborate with the care team to plan and implement processes that strengthen the child/young person’s relationship with their family and community.

The Therapeutic Specialist is a member of the Clinical Program and reports to the Principal Practitioner. The position is based in Geelong. Some travel may be required. The role is 0.5EFT (5 days per fortnight) ongoing, plus 0.1EFT (1 day per fortnight) fixed term until May 2021 – with possible extension of the fixed term component. Total 6 days per fortnight.

About you

Key selection criteria include:

• An appropriate tertiary qualification in Psychology, Social Work or a related discipline is essential. Post Graduate training in relevant child, adolescent and family clinical practice, family work and systemic thinking is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated practice knowledge areas relevant to work with traumatised and vulnerable children, young people and families which may include child development and the impact of trauma clinical work with children, young people and families, mental health, drug and alcohol, disability or other trauma related behaviours.
• Evidence of a well-developed understanding of Attachment and Trauma theories, the relationship to child abuse and neglect, together with an understanding of intellectual disability and an ability to assist others to understand the implications.
• 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
• Established high level ability to provide 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 other mental health providers, Department of Human Services, other agencies and the community.
• Evidence of a sophisticated 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
• 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.

For a full listing, please review the position description.

MacKillop is committed to be a child safe organisation. Applicants will be required to undergo a national criminal record check, and have an employment Working with Children Check (plus other relevant checks as required).

If you have any queries, please contact Kate Davidson, Principal Practitioner at 0418 285 410, 03 5278 9211 or [email protected] using the subject line: Therapeutic Specialist - Geelong enquiry via EthicalJobs.

How to Apply

Click Apply Now where you will be redirected to the Therapeutic Specialist vacancy within MacKillop's careers page. On this page please refer to the How to Apply section at the bottom, this will take you to our recruitment portal.

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

Download the position description attached or HERE.

Shortlisting may commence prior to the closing date so please apply as soon as possible.