Therapeutic Specialist - Horsham

Summary about this job

Detail information about job Therapeutic Specialist - Horsham. Terms and conditions vacancy

• Two positions available - initial twelve month contract
• Part time roles - Four days per week
• Make a difference in the lives of children

Therapeutic Specialist – Horsham – Two Part Time Roles Available

• Make a difference in the lives of children
• Competitive salary and excellent benefits package including, phone, tablet and salary packaging
• Horsham location – Two positions
• Part time Four days per week

The Australian Childhood Foundation has a strong reputation for delivery of therapeutic 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 Foundations Therapeutic Services.

The Foundation currently provides a range of therapeutic care programs in foster care and residential care in Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania, the ACT and the Northern Territory. The Foundation is responsible for delivering the specialist therapeutic services within these programs which are delivered in partnership with a range of foster and residential care providers.

ACF currently has an exciting vacancy for a Therapeutic Specialist to join the small team based in Horsham for an initial twelve month contract. In this role, you will act as act as a specialist therapeutic consultant and practitioner within therapeutic foster and residential care programs.  You will be a key member of the care team developed for each child.  The Therapeutic Specialist is primarily responsible for the provision of specialist therapeutic support to the carers (foster and residential) and other members of the care team, the delivery of specialised training about trauma and therapeutic care to professionals, carers and volunteer support people, and direct therapeutic work with children where appropriate. The position has a key leadership role with regard to the development and implementation of appropriate therapeutic support for each child and young person.

Your primary responsibilities:

• Work in partnership with foster care, residential workers and other referrers to ensure a coordinated, effective and timely response to children, carers and families of origin providing clinical leadership in the implementation of the program. This includes assessment procedures, needs identification, risk assessment, practice guidelines, case documentation and transition planning.
• Provide referral and assessment advice to Child Protection, Placement Co-ordination Unit, foster care providers and other referrers regarding the eligibility and placement matching of children into the program.
• Participate with the foster care provider in the accreditation of carers into the therapeutic foster care program and attend and co-facilitate, where necessary, at any regular forums held for carers with the purpose of peer support and exchange of information.
• Participate as an active member of the care team in all relevant care team meetings, operational groups and panels and maintain regular planned telephone consultation with care team members as agreed with regard to the needs of the child, care family and other key stakeholders.
• Provide secondary consultation concerning the mental health needs of children referred to the program to all members of each child’s care team, network and others involved in the child’s life, as appropriate.
• Undertake specialized trauma assessments for children and young people referred into the program from other sources.
• Contribute to the collaborative development of specialist trauma-based training to carers, staff and all relevant network members.
• Deliver training programs to out of home care staff and carers as required.

About you - Key Selection Criteria:

• An appropriate tertiary qualification in Psychology, Social Work or a related discipline.
• 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 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 and young people.
• Demonstrated capacity in leading and managing projects.
• Demonstrated commitment to working collaboratively and the capacity to negotiate and liaise with volunteers, including carers, DHHS, 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 and Working with Children Check or equivalent.

Remuneration & Benefits: 

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

• An additional $3000 for a Masters degree/$5000 for a Doctorate in a relevant discipline
• Professional Development (up to $1000 (pro-rata) per year)
• Employee Assistance Program

To apply:

Interested in this new opportunity to make a difference in the lives of children? 

Please forward a copy of your current resume along with a cover letter addressing each of the Key Selection Criteria to [email protected]

Or for more information about the role or a copy of the position description please contact Georgia Pattison – HR Program Manager on 0409 648 566.

Applications will be assessed and continued until the right candidates are sought, no close date will be issued, if you are interested please apply as soon as practicable.