Therapeutic Specialist

About the role:

Are you ready to make a lasting impact in the lives of children and young people in out-of-home care (OOHC)? We’re seeking a committed and experienced Therapeutic Specialist to join our Therapeutic Residential Care (TRC) program—a unique role that blends clinical expertise with hands-on support.

This is more than just a clinical role. As a Therapeutic Specialist, you’ll work closely with residential care workers, providing expert guidance and therapeutic leadership to help staff understand and respond to the complex needs of the young people in their care.

You’ll develop and oversee personalised therapeutic plans that empower children and young people to build resilience, strengthen their emotional and relational capacities, and support their healing and recovery journeys.

What makes this role unique is your position at the intersection of direct care and systemic support. You’ll walk alongside the broader care system—collaborating with internal teams, external professionals, and community support, to ensure therapeutic approaches are integrated at every level of a young person’s care experience. You’ll also contribute to processes that strengthen family and community connections, recognising their critical role in long-term recovery.

This is your opportunity to be a clinical leader in a truly therapeutic environment, supporting not only young people, but the teams around them.

This is a Permanent Full-Time (38 hours per week) opportunity based in Bendigo within our Clinical Services program. The position reports to the Principal Practitioner.

Key Selection Criteria:

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• Facilitate the development and timely review of Therapeutic Assessment Reports for each child and young person in TRC.
• Work in collaboration with the Area Manager, program staff and regional services and provide secondary consultation concerning the mental health needs of clients of MacKillop Family Services.
• Plan and implement interventions, in collaboration with the care team, to engage families, communities and young person in a process that assists relational repair and increased family/community connection.

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: Lauren Wright at Lauren.Wright@mackillop.org.au  

Our offer

• Salary packaging – we can help you to maximize your salary packaging up to $18,550 per year, which allows you to reduce the amount of tax you pay.
• Paid Training that is industry specific including Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI), Sanctuary and Cultural Awareness training.
• Employee Assistance Program- Free access to a wide range of options with all aspects of life such as social, financial, physical, mental health by providing counselling and coaching supporting relating both to your circumstance, even including health advice from qualified nutritionists.
• Supportive Environment - Monthly supportive meetings with your direct manager.
• Sanctuary Organisation - MacKillop’s work is underpinned by the Sanctuary Model, an evidence-supported, whole of organisation framework that brings our values to life. The model reinforces our ability to create a safe environment that teaches people to cope effectively with stress and trauma, and to heal.

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.