Therapeutic Specialist

• Make a meaningful difference in the lives of children and families
• Full time ongoing opportunity with a NFP organisation based in Canberra
• $110k - $114k + Super + Salary Packaging

💫 About the opportunity
The key role of the Therapeutic Specialist is to act as a specialist therapeutic consultant and practitioner within the OOHC and Care & Protection system. 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 living in or at risk of entering OOHC, as required.
The Therapeutic Specialist is a key member of the care team developed for each child or young person and is primarily responsible for the provision of specialist therapeutic support to the families/carers and other members of the child’s care team, direct therapeutic work with children and young people and their caregivers, and the delivery of specialised training about trauma and therapeutic care to families/carers and key stakeholders.

About the program
In Canberra, the Australian Childhood Foundation plays an important role in the ACT Government's transformative Out of Home Care (OOHC) reform outlined in the Next Steps for Our Kids Strategy. This reform aims to create a responsive OOHC system, emphasising key priorities such as stability for children in care, greater involvement of Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs), early restoration, well-prepared transitions for young people leaving care, strengthened cultural connections, and a flexible, needs-driven service system.

Australian Childhood Foundation
The Australian Childhood Foundation is a leading not-for-profit organisation dedicated to supporting children and young people to recover from the impacts of abuse, neglect, and family violence. We provide specialist therapeutic services, advocacy, and education programs underpinned by the latest research in neuroscience, attachment, and trauma. Our work is driven by a commitment to creating safe, supportive environments where every child can thrive.

About you - Key Selection Criteria:

• 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.

What we offer

• Salary Packaging – Increase your take-home pay with up to $15,900 of tax-free benefits.
• Wellbeing Support – Access to confidential Employee Assistance program
• National Network – Connect with a passionate professional community across Australia.
• Guided Supervision – Regular individual and group supervision to support your growth.
• Values-Driven Culture: Be part of a trauma-informed, child-focused organisation that puts children’s needs and voices at the centre of everything we do.
• Real Impact – Contribute to innovative programs that create meaningful change for children, young people and families.

To Apply:
If you are interested in making a difference in the lives of children, we encourage you to apply. And attach a copy of your current resume along with a cover letter, addressing each of the Key Selection Criteria.
🔎 For a copy of the Position Description please visit: https://auschildhood.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/HumanResourcesHub/EZ8V0HbeXRBKnU2YyYYxfOQB3uVTyliPNhUtQT7ge0q4wA?e=nueVnS 🔎

Applications will close on 25 August 2025, unless a suitable candidate is appointed earlier.

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 including National Police Check, Working with Children Checks and additional State based program checks.

Australian Childhood Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with cultural and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and people with a disability are strongly encouraged to apply. Members of the LGBITQ+ community are strongly encouraged to apply.