Therapeutic Specialist

MacKillop Family Services is committed to improving employment opportunities and outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. As a measure to achieve equality and support, Section 51 of the Equal Opportunity Act 1984 (WA) will apply to this position. Aboriginal people are encouraged to apply and are preferred for this position.

This position is situated within the West Perth office with regular travel to the Pilbara region as needed to support staff.

This position provides support to staff, carers and children in the programs in WA/NT, to ensure high quality therapeutic care. Therapeutic care is achieved through the creation of positive, safe, healing relationships and experiences informed by a sound understanding of trauma, attachment, cultural safety and developmental needs. The Therapeutic Specialist provides therapeutic leadership and trauma informed interventions based on sound practice expertise and contemporary research that delivers positive outcomes for vulnerable children and families.

This is an ongoing Full-Time opportunity based in West Perth, WA within our Clinical Serivces Program. The position reports to the Principal Practitioner - Western Australia & Northern Territory.

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• A knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal culture and values and an awareness of the current issues faced by Aboriginal children, young people and their families.
• An appropriate tertiary qualification in Psychology, Social Work or a related discipline is essential. Post Graduate training in relevant child, adolescent and family clinical practice, family work and systemic thinking is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated practice knowledge areas relevant to work with traumatised and vulnerable children, young people and families which may include child development and the impact of trauma clinical work with children, young people and families, mental health, drug and alcohol, disability or other trauma related behaviours.
• Evidence of a well-developed understanding of attachment and trauma theories, the relationship to child abuse and neglect, together with an understanding of intellectual disability and an ability to assist others to understand the implications.

Remove the full Key Selection Criteria outlined in the PD as part of your application.

For a full position listing, please review the Position Description at the bottom of the page.

For more information, please contact:

Kelly Thompson at or on

• Generous Salary Packaging (helps increase your take home pay)
• Ongoing Career Development, Education and Training
• Employee Assistance Program – free and confidential counselling, coaching and emotional support for work and personal challenges
• Click HERE to find out more about becoming a member of the MacKillop Family Services team and what further support we have to offer our employees.

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.

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.