Therapeutic Specialist

**Job no**: 499746

**Employment type**: Full Time

**Location**: Sydney

**Categories**: Child, Youth & Family
- **Opportunity to work for one of Australia's largest Social Purpose organisation**:

- **Tool of trade Vehicle**:

- **Monthly rostered days off**

**About the Organisation**

We have a commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people by hearing their voices and taking action in partnership with community direction. We are committed to supporting and increasing opportunity and improving outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals, families, and communities. We value your cultural heritage and so do our clients. It is vital for our clients to be able to connect with our employees who actively support them and are connected to land and country.

Life Without Barriers is a leading social purpose organisation of 8,000 employees working in more than 500 communities across Australia. We support children, young people and families, people with disability, older people, and people with mental illness. We work with people who are homeless and refugees and asylum seekers. Join a community of people dedicated to breaking down barriers.

We want to employ people who reflect the diversity of our clients to ensure we can support each client's individual needs and wants. We encourage people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander background and people with disability to apply.

**About the role**

Due to continued growth within our Family Based Care program, we have a permanent full time opportunity in Hurstville as a Therapeutic Specialist. In this role you would deliver therapeutic interventions to children and young people who have experienced complex trauma, have physical and/or psychosocial disability and are living within 24/7 residential care homes. Bringing your experience as a Psychologist, Social Worker, Occupational Therapist or Mental Health Nurse you will conduct assessments, develop, and supervise the implementation of therapeutic care and positive behaviours support plans and provide ongoing clinical support and training to staff.
- Life Without Barriers considers that being of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent is a genuine occupational requirement as outlined in section 25 of the Anti-Discrimination Act (1991) and permitted as a 'special measure' under section 8 of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth) and by articles 1(4) and 2(2) of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination and so, we ask that only aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicants apply._

**Key Responsibilities**
- Undertake child focused assessment of children / young people that is evidence informed, and in support of family inclusion and restoration
- Provide professional assessment reports regarding impacts of trauma, competency and the development of children / young people to inform appropriate permanency planning, restoration, placement that meets contractual obligations
- Provide evidence informed advice and recommendations on understanding and minimising negative impacts of trauma (e.g. intergenerational), promoting healthy age appropriate development and building and strengthening skills and competency
- Lead implementation, maintenance and monitoring of Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) and Therapeutic Crisis Intervention - Families (TCIF)
- Support and monitor effective implementation of Individual Client Management Plans (ICMPs) in accordance with TCI Program requirements
- Undertake risk and safety assessment and consultation to support decision making for age appropriate behaviour assessment and interventions
- Provide evidence informed training and support for carers and staff regarding therapeutic support
- Ensure all necessary documents and information, legal documentation, positive behaviour support plans and assessments in relation to the child/young person, their families and carers is received from the relevant government and non-government agencies.

**Skills & Experience**
- Tertiary qualifications in Psychology, Speech Pathology, Occupational Therapy or Social Work and current registration or eligibility for registration with the professional body or Psychology board of Australia to practice as a psychologist.
- Completed (within past 5 years) or currently completing the Positive Approach to Behaviour Support Core Standard including Appraisal process (FACS); or nationally recognised competency CHCDIS006 - Develop and promote positive person-centred behaviour supports
- Extensive knowledge of issues impacting on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities in contemporary society and a demonstrated ability to communicate effectively and sensitively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
- High level communication, influencing, liaison, negotiation and mediation skills
- Current Drivers Licence
- To be considered for and appointed to a position at Life Without Barriers, you must be f