Therapeutic Specialist – Mildura

• Make a difference in the lives of children
• Competitive salary and excellent benefits package including, vehicle, phone, tablet and salary packaging
• Mildura based role – part time (3 days per week) and initial 12 month contract

The Australian Childhood Foundation (ACF) has a strong reputation for delivery of clinical services, professional training and secondary consultation built upon up-to-date evidence based theoretical frameworks including the neurobiology of trauma, attachment and relational theories and child development. This theoretical framework provides the foundation upon which all elements of care and intervention are provided by the Foundation’s therapeutic care service.

About the role:

The Foundation has a long history in the provision of clinical programs for children who engage in harmful sexual behaviour. The Therapeutic Specialist in this role will work to support the children and young people, and their care provider and service system, who are engaging in harmful sexual behaviour and who are placed in residential care in the DFFH North Division. Service delivery extends across the North Metro Area, Loddon Area and Mallee Area for the Harmful Sexual Behaviours Consultation and Support Program, with the focus on this role being within the Mallee region. The primary focus of the role is providing support, training, and consultation to the team around the child or young person who is engaging in harmful sexual behaviour and residing in residential care.

In addition, this position will provide direct clinical practice and support to children, young people, their families and care systems within the region. This typically is with children and young people in out of home care requiring additional support and therapy to assist in their healing and recovery from trauma. Support could be in the form of individual, dyadic and family counselling, provision of therapeutic assessment and planning, care team support and clinical guidance, carer support, Education Needs Analysis report writing and psychoeducation and training.

About you – Key Selection Criteria:

• An appropriate tertiary qualification in Psychology, Social Work, OT or a related discipline.
• Substantial experience in the area of harmful sexual behaviours in children and young people.
• Demonstrated ability to provide leadership and direct service in the clinical assessment and treatment of children, young people and families.
• Highly developed ability to provide secondary consultation and advice to clinicians and other professionals.
• Demonstrated capacity to deliver trauma informed, therapeutic counselling modalities, that meet diverse needs of children and young people.
• Demonstrated capacity to lead and manage in an area of challenging and complex practice.
• Demonstrated knowledge of trauma, attachment and neurobiology frameworks and theories.
• Substantial experience in the area of child abuse and/or in working with traumatised children.
• Demonstrated commitment to working collaboratively and the capacity to negotiate and liaise with DFFH, Out of Home Care providers, education, other agencies and the community.
• A sophisticated understanding of the complexity of the service system and the issues involved in providing services to statutory clients.
• A current Victorian driver’s license or equivalent.

Remuneration & Benefits:
This position attracts a competitive base salary + vehicle + phone + tablet + superannuation + salary packaging. The salary is determined on the basis of the employee’s experience and qualifications. A reimbursement for mileage will be provided. In joining a strong, values based organisation, you will also have access to:

• Professional Development opportunities
• Employee Assistance Program

To Apply:
To apply, please upload a copy of your resume and cover letter addressing the key selection criteria, listed above.
For more information about the role or a copy of the position description please contact Georgia Pattison – HR Program Manager at [email protected]

Australian Childhood Foundation (ACF) is committed to protecting children and young people from harm. We require all applicants to undergo an extensive screening process prior to appointment.
ACF is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with cultural and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and people with a disability are strongly encouraged to apply.