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.

The primary objective of this role is to provide critical clinical and therapeutic support for and with the casework teams working from MacKillop’s offices and as part of those programs. MacKillop is delivering Out of Home Care, Homelessness Services, Family Therapy and other programs as developed. The Therapeutic Specialist will bring their experience, skills and qualifications in Psychology, Social Work, Family Therapy or their equivalents, to the challenge of delivering clinical services for the vulnerable children, young people and families, who are clients of our services, many of whom have experienced trauma, abuse or violence. The Therapeutic Specialist will work alongside our teams, as well as part of the NSW Clinical Services team, to deliver the desired outcomes for the program’s clients using the best evidence-based practice, determined by MacKillop and its Clinical Services team. 

This is an ongoing full-time opportunity based in Canberra ACT, within our Residential Program. The position reports to Principal Practitioner in the ACT.

Key Selection Criteria:

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.

• An appropriate tertiary qualification in Psychology, Social Work or a related discipline is essential.  

• Current registration as a psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia and a higher degree in psychology at master’s level is preferred.

• Post Graduate training in relevant child, adolescent and family clinical practice, family therapy and systemic thinking is strongly preferred.

Please address the full Key Selection Criteria outlined in the PD as part of your application

For more information, please contact: Sally Patrick at [email protected]

Our offer:

• Generous Salary Packaging up to $18,500 (helps increase your take home pay)

• Ongoing Career Development, Education and Training

• Employee Assistance Program – free and confidential counselling, coaching and emotional support for work and personal challenges

• Click HERE to find out more about becoming a member of the MacKillop Family Services team and what further support we have to offer our employees. https://www.mackillop.org.au/careers/working-at-mackillop)

You must have a:

• Valid and current Driver’s License;

• Satisfactory Criminal History Check (paid for by MacKillop);

• Valid Employee Working with Children Check.

• Valid and current NDIS Workers Screening Check (for risk assessed / client facing roles). MacKillop can assist successful candidates with their application.