First Nations Therapeutic Specialist

• Make a meaningful difference in the lives of children and families
• Full time ongoing opportunity with a NFP organisation based in Norwest
• $110k - $114k (SCHADS Level 6) + Super + Salary Packaging up to $15,900 + car

About the opportunity
The First Nations Therapeutic Specialist plays a key role as a specialist therapeutic consultant and practitioner, working closely with children, carers, and networks of professionals to deliver impactful support through the program. In this role, you’ll provide specialist therapeutic interventions for children and young people, as well as therapeutic guidance and support for foster carers, kinship carers, and others involved in each child’s care team.
This is an identified position, and Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply.

About the program
The OurSPACE program provides specialist outreach therapeutic trauma support to children and young people under 16 in out-of-home care (OOHC) across NSW. The program aims to strengthen relationships around each child, promote placement stability, and support their healing through a collaborative care team approach.
We work alongside caseworkers, carers, families, schools, and other services, providing both direct therapeutic trauma intervention and guidance to the care network. Our team of First Nations and non-First Nations Therapeutic Specialists deliver culturally strong and trauma-informed support, moving with the child wherever they are placed across NSW.

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.
• Demonstrated ability to provide direct service in the treatment of children, young people and families.
• Ability to provide secondary consultation and advice to clinicians and other professionals.
• Demonstrated knowledge of trauma, attachment and neurobiology frameworks and theories.
• Experience in the area of child abuse and/or in working with traumatised children.
• Demonstrated commitment to working collaboratively and the capacity to negotiate and liaise with individuals who make up the network of support around children and young people, including carers, child protection, 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 NSW driver’s licence 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.
• Company-Provided Vehicle: Navigate your responsibilities with a company vehicle as part of your salary packaging.

To learn more about our work and the impact we’re making for children and families, please visit: https://www.childhood.org.au/

To Apply:
If you are interested in making a difference in the lives of children, please click 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/sites/HumanResourcesHub/Shared Documents/Forms/AllItems.aspx?viewid=4331ad9e-bc83-4125-b7da-8b4da2d43d07&id=/sites/HumanResourcesHub/Shared Documents/External Access/Position Description/PD - First Nations Therapeutic Specialist - NSW VN449.pdf&parent=/sites/HumanResourcesHub/Shared Documents/External Access/Position Description

Applications close on 15 December 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.