Therapeutic Specialist

• Make a meaningful difference in the lives of children, young people and families
• Fixed term 0.7 FTE 12-month opportunity with a NFP organisation based in Mitcham
• $55.72 - $58.19 p/hr + Super + Salary Packaging up to $15,900

About the opportunity
The key role of the Therapeutic Specialist is to act as a specialist therapeutic consultant and practitioner within the therapeutic foster care program. The position is a key member of the care team developed for each child and young person.
The Therapeutic Specialist is primarily responsible for providing specialist therapeutic support to carers and other members of the care team, delivering specialised training on therapeutic care to professionals, carers, and volunteer support people, and undertaking direct therapeutic work with children and young people where appropriate.
The position also has a key leadership role in the development and implementation of appropriate therapeutic support for each child and young person.

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 knowledge of trauma, attachment and neurobiology frameworks and theories.
• Substantial experience in the area of child abuse, OOHC, and/or in working with traumatised children and young people, including delivering a range of appropriate therapeutic supports to the client group.
• A sophisticated understanding of the complexity of the service system and the issues involved in providing services for children, young people, carers and families involved with the statutory system.
• Demonstrated commitment to working collaboratively and the capacity to communicate well and liaise with volunteers, including carers, DFFH, other agencies and the community.
• Demonstrated ability to provide leadership and direct service in the therapeutic assessment and support of children, young people, parents / carers and families.
• Highly developed ability to provide secondary consultation and therapeutic input to other professionals.
• Demonstrated capacity to lead and manage in an area of challenging and complex practice.
• A current Victorian 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.

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?sortField=Modified&isAscending=false&viewid=4331ad9e-bc83-4125-b7da-8b4da2d43d07&id=/sites/HumanResourcesHub/Shared Documents/External Access/Position Description/PD - Therapeutic Specialist TrACK Circle VN472.pdf&parent=/sites/HumanResourcesHub/Shared Documents/External Access/Position Description

Applications close on 1 April 2026, 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.