Therapeutic Specialist - Permanent Full Time - Greater Sydney

About Marist180

Marist180 is a child-safe organisation. We are committed to prioritising the safety, wellbeing, rights and voices of children and young people in everything we do. We expect all employees to actively contribute to a culture where child safety is understood, championed and everyone takes responsibility for identifying, reporting and responding to concerns.

The position

This role works closely with staff to deliver appropriate therapeutic interventions with children and young people who have experienced significant trauma, to ensure that all decisions reflect the needs of the child or young person and are guided by principles of permanency planning.

Primary accountabilities of the role of Therapeutic Specialist include, but are not limited to:

• Assessing needs of children and young people then working in partnership with internal services and external agencies to address these needs.
• Working collaboratively with staff to deliver appropriate interventions including the development and implementation of Treatment Plans, Restoration, Fostering, Adoption, Kinship Care, or alternative placements.
• Providing therapeutic trauma informed supervision, training, support and consultation to staff, carers, and volunteers in the delivery of programs for children and young people in care.
• Working with the allied health team to remain at the forefront of evidence-based practice and research.
• Working with staff, carers, and volunteers to create supportive therapeutic environments, responsive to the emotional, social, and educational needs of young people.
• Providing individualised support to young people and working to engage them in processes.
• Supporting transitions such as entry and exit into different programs.
• Implementation of the therapeutic models of care into service practice.
• Facilitate group-work sessions for young people and staff as required.
• Co-ordinating and leading Care Team Meetings and Reflective Practice for staff.
• Creating and co-ordinating and monitoring the timely review, of Behaviour Support Plans.
• Completing assessments and co-ordinating the collection of assessment and outcome data.
• Complete matching reports for referrals into ITC.
• Complete and review Risk Management Plans for children/young people.
• Developing strong collaborative working relationships with care team members and youth workers.
• Providing post-crisis debriefing support for youth workers and care team members.
• Driving young people to appointments when required.
• Actively contribute to a child-safe organisation by championing the safety, wellbeing, rights and voices of children and young people; recognising and reporting child-safety concerns; and contributing to an open, accountable and learning culture where concerns, incidents and feedback are used to strengthen practice and prevent harm.
• Based in Blacktown, NSW, with flexible working arrangements offered on a case-by-case basis, you will play a key role in supporting clients across our properties located in the Greater Sydney area (comprises Western Sydney and Southwest Sydney).

The candidate

Qualifications:

• Relevant tertiary qualifications in Social Work, Family Counselling, Psychology or equivalent.

Experience & Skills:

• Minimum 5 years’ post-graduation experience.
• Current registration with the professional peak body relevant to their qualification (e.g., AHPRA, AASW).
• Previous experience in working with children and young people experiencing complex trauma and working with families within the child protection system.
• Demonstrated experience in working with the issues faced by children and young people of a complex trauma background, and a demonstrated capacity to assist staff to support young people.

Work Requirement: 

• Current First Aid and CPR certificate.
• Current Working with Children Check.
• Clear National Criminal History Check.
• Eligibility to work in Australia.
• Provide Marist180 consent to complete a verification of the Residential Care Workers Register managed by the Office of the Children’s Guardian.

Marist 180 provide Equal Employment Opportunities for everyone. We value the benefits of diversity and strongly encourage applications from people with disabilities, mental health as well as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander background, people from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds and mature aged applicants.

How to apply
Click “Apply Now” to submit your online application, please include a resume and a cover letter describing how you meet the essential criteria. 
For more information about the role please email recruitment@m180.org.au.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and early submission is encouraged. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for interview.