Therapeutic Specialist

About the role:

The primary objective of this role is to add value over and above the residential and case management aspects of the TRC program, by developing therapeutic strategies and plans for each individual child or young person, supporting and guiding staff in the implementation of these strategies and plans to facilitate the development of new skills and perspectives to help them expand their strengths to facilitate healing and recovery. The Therapeutic Practitioner will also collaborate with the care team to plan and implement processes that strengthen the child/young person’s relationship with their family and community.

This is a Fixed-Term, Part time position working 30 hours per week until 16/09/2025 opportunity based in Preston, VIC within our Therapeutic Residential Care - Various Regions program. The position reports to the Principal Practitioner - Various Regions.

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. Post Graduate training in relevant child, adolescent and family clinical practice, family work and systemic thinking is strongly preferred.
• Therapeutic specialists will have a thorough understanding (based on advanced training/qualifications and a body of knowledge on recognized theoretical approaches) of the impact of trauma, disrupted attachment and abuse/neglect on a child or young person’s development and wellbeing.
• Therapeutic specialists will have substantial experience in working therapeutically with young people and demonstrated capacity to persevere to achieve positive outcomes when working with young people who have experienced trauma and have complex needs and presentations.
• Therapeutic specialists must demonstrate a thorough understanding of Aboriginal and CALD (Culturally and Linguistically Diverse) cultures to provide culturally sensitive and effective care for young people in residential care.
• Position will report into Principal Practitioners who are experienced therapeutic clinicians.

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

For a full position listing, please click APPLY. The Position Description is available for review at the bottom of the page.

For more information, please contact:

Kerry O'Sullivan at kerry.o'sullivan@mackillop.org.au or on 03 9257 2274

Our offer:

• Generous Salary Packaging - 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.
• Opportunities for career advancement in the clinical division due to the presence of senior roles
• Opportunities for professional development in the area of Therapeutic Life Story Work, EMDR and Neurofeedback
• Opportunity to become a trainer in Therapeutic Crisis Intervention, Power to Kids (sexual safety training) and Sanctuary training.
• Professional development and training available internally and externally by experienced clinicians
• Availability of study leave.

You must have a:

• Valid and current Driver’s Licence;
• 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.

Our Commitment:

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.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

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

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