Join an exciting new opportunity with the Australian Childhood Foundation - Shaping the Future of Out of Home Care.

The Australian Childhood Foundation (The Foundation) will play an important role in the ACT Government's groundbreaking Out of Home Care (OOHC) reform, a transformational initiative outlined in the Next Steps for Our Kids strategy. This reform is all about creating a more responsive, inclusive, and compassionate OOHC system, focused on critical priorities like providing stability for children in care, working closely with Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCO's), supporting early restoration, ensuring smooth transitions for young people leaving care, strengthening cultural connections, and building a flexible, needs-driven service system.

We're proud to have been awarded a number of contracts to deliver OOHC services across the ACT, including Therapeutic Services, Therapeutic Kinship Care and Aftercare.

Now, we're excited to offer a range of dynamic new opportunities to be part of this innovative, trauma-informed, and transformative program. If you're passionate about making a real difference in the lives of children and young people and are eager to work with cutting-edge practice models, we want to hear from you! Don't miss your chance to be part of this incredible initiative - read on to find out more..

About the Role:

As a Therapeutic Specialist, you will act as a specialist therapeutic consultant and practitioner within the OOHC programs. The position has a clinical leadership role with regard to the development and implementation of appropriate therapeutic support for children and young people in care with Barnardos and Oz Child, and other providers, as required. 

Key responsibilities include:

• Providing specialist therapeutic support to the families/carers and other members of the child’s care team 
• Delivering specialised training about trauma and therapeutic care to families/carers and key stakeholders
• Direct therapeutic work with children and young people. 

About You:

We are seeking an individual with:

• An appropriate tertiary qualification in Psychology, Social Work or a related discipline.
• Eligibility for membership of the relevant professional association.
• 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 commitment to working collaboratively and the capacity to negotiate and liaise with volunteers, including carers, child protection services, 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 ACT driver’s license or equivalent.

Remuneration & Benefits:

• Competitive Compensation: Commensurate with experience and qualifications.
• Salary Packaging: Customise your rewards to align with your financial goals.
• Employee Assistance Program: Benefit from a range of support services for wellbeing.
• Guided Supervision: Regular individual and group supervision for clinical guidance.
• Collaborative Connections: Join a nationwide network of professionals making a difference.
• Resources Library: Access a wealth of knowledge and insights from leading experts.
• Professional Development - Receive access to the upcoming week-long ACF International Childhood Trauma Conference in Melbourne, VIC.

How to Apply:

To apply, please attach a copy of your Resume and Cover Letter addressing the About You/Key Selection Criteria.

For more information or to request a copy of the position description, please email [email protected], using the subject line: Therapeutic Specialist - Out of Home Care (ACT) enquiry via EthicalJobs..

Applications will close when a suitable candidate is found so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

About the Foundation:

The Australian Childhood Foundation is a leading organisation renowned for delivering clinical services, professional training, and secondary consultation programs based on evidence-based theoretical frameworks. The Foundation specialises in addressing the impact of developmental trauma on children, offering therapeutic interventions, foster, residential, and kinship care services across various regions in Australia.

Australian Childhood Foundation is committed to protecting children and young people from harm. We require all applicants to undergo an extensive screening process prior to appointment.