Therapeutic Specialist

If you are passionate about making a lasting impact and want to help shape better futures this is an opportunity for you!

Join MacKillop Family Services, a leading not-for-profit organisation dedicated to improving the lives of children, young people and families.

ABOUT THE ROLE:

We are seeking a Therapeutic Specialist to join our team in Preston in an ongoing, part-time capacity.

In this rewarding role, you will support children and young people who have experienced trauma, abuse or neglect to achieve positive and lasting outcomes. Working alongside carers, staff and care teams, you will provide therapeutic assessments, develop care plans, offer specialist clinical guidance, and build the capability of others through coaching and reflective practice. You will also have the opportunity to deliver direct therapeutic interventions to children, young people and families when required.

If you're passionate about trauma-informed practice and making a meaningful difference in the lives of vulnerable young people, we'd love to hear from you.

KEY RESPONSIBILTIIES:

• Clinical Assessment & Planning - Conduct therapeutic and risk assessments, develop and review therapeutic care plans, and monitor outcomes to support the wellbeing of children and young people.
• Therapeutic Leadership & Consultation - Provide specialist clinical guidance, consultation and support for complex cases to promote best-practice therapeutic outcomes.
• Capability Building - Deliver training, coaching and reflective practice sessions to strengthen trauma-informed care to staff & carers
• Family & Community Engagement - Support children, young people and families to strengthen relationships, wellbeing, and connections to family, culture and community.
• Collaboration & Stakeholder Partnership - Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and key stakeholders to deliver positive outcomes and support the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people.
• Quality & Continuous Improvement - Contribute to clinical excellence through supervision, professional development, service improvement, and trauma-informed practice initiatives.

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This is an ongoing part-time opportunity 30.4 hours per week based in Preston within our Residential Care Program. The position reports to Principal Practitioner North Metro and Loddon.

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KEY SELECTION CRITERIA:

To be successful in this role you will have:

• A tertiary qualification in Psychology, Social Work, or a related discipline. Postgraduate training in child, adolescent and family practice is highly regarded.
• Experience working with vulnerable children, young people and families, including knowledge of trauma, mental health, disability, and related behavioural challenges.
• Strong understanding of Attachment and Trauma theories, child abuse and neglect, and intellectual disability.
• Experience conducting assessments and developing therapeutic reports and care plans.
• Ability to provide consultation, training and professional advice to staff, carers and stakeholders.
• Excellent interpersonal, engagement and communication skills, particularly with children and young people affected by trauma.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively and build effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Understanding of the child protection and out-of-home care service system.
• Knowledge of Aboriginal cultures, values and the issues impacting Aboriginal children, young people and families.

For more information, please contact: Lauren Wright, lauren.wright@mackillop.org.au

We value the unique knowledge, perspectives, and cultural contributions of First Nations peoples. Your experience and insights are important to us, and we strongly encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates to apply.  

You must have a:

• Valid and current Driver’s Licence.
• Valid and current Working with Children Card.
• Valid and current NDIS Worker Check (for NDIS risk assessed roles).
• Satisfactory criminal history check conducted by MacKillop Family Services.

WHAT WE OFFER:

• More money in your pocket – up to $18,550 per year, which allows you to reduce the amount of tax you pay.
• Wellbeing that matters - Free, confidential support for mental, physical, financial and social wellbeing.
• Sanctuary Organisation - MacKillop’s work is underpinned by the Sanctuary Model, an evidence supported, whole of organisation framework that brings our values to life. The model reinforces our ability to create a safe environment that teaches people to cope effectively with stress and trauma, and to heal.
• First Nations career pathways – Warrungarli Strategy supporting recruitment, retention and professional development
• Community & connection – Opportunity to join Ngindaay Guumaldanha, our Aboriginal Staff Network

OUR COMMITTMENT:

MacKillop celebrates and draws strength from diversity and respects the dignity of all people. Every person at MacKillop has the right to be safe and to be treated justly. We value every person’s ability, cultural or linguistic backgrounds, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, intersex status, relationship status, religious or spiritual beliefs, socio-economic status, and age.

It is our goal that MacKillop Family Services continues to evolve as a culturally safe, culturally competent, and welcoming organisation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, young people, families, and communities.

Shortlisting for this position may commence immediately so please submit your application as soon as possible.