Therapeutic Specialist, Foster Care

Targeted outcomes|therapeutic care|family focussed
- Work with large sibling groups entering Out of Home Care for the first time
- Short term|13th of October until the 19th of December|$67.96 per hour

**Why this program exists.**

Due to the shortage of foster carers available to care for sibling groups, sadly sometimes separating siblings is unavoidable. **The importance of keeping siblings together cannot be overstated.**

That is why the Sibling Placement and Support program is vital, so families can remain together.

**How you can make a difference.**

Anglicare Victoria operates three Foster Care households dedicated to supporting Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal sibling groups entering the Out of Home Care system for the first time. This intensive 6-week program is delivered by a skilled team that includes:

- 2 Therapeutic Specialists
- Senior Placement Practitioner
- Senior Family Services Practitioner

Your mission will be to support reunification with family when possible, refer to Kinship care placements, or secure long-term foster care, all while keeping siblings together. The program includes 6 weeks of support post-placement.

**Your job.**
- Coordinate, develop and facilitate of Therapeutic Plans via direct engagement with sibling groups.
- Contact planning for any separated siblings.
- Ensure referrals and transfer of knowledge and practical strategies to ongoing supports and exit placement.
- Provide direct support for families, carers, siblings, and exit placements as required (dependent on therapeutic planning, suitability, and resources).

**Travel requirements.**

Your home office will be Dandenong. You might only spend a couple of days there though, travel to Pakenham where both a carer household and an office are located will be required as well as travel to local carer households.

**Cultural Safety.**

This program will be delivered in partnership with VACCA who will provide cultural support alongside you when you work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families.
- Demonstrated knowledge and awareness of Aboriginal culture and key issues which impact Aboriginal communities.
- Demonstrated experience in working and engaging with Aboriginal families and children.

**What you will gain.**
- 2-month period covering parental leave. 13th of October until the 19th of December.
- The opportunity to work in a program with tangible, meaningful impact.
- Short, intensive interventions with strong support from a senior, experienced team.
- 3 dedicated pool cars for travel.
- Full time, SCHCADS level 8.3.
- Salary packaging is available up to $15,900 plus an entertainment card.
- We take the Health and Wellbeing of our people seriously offering a Well Worth It Program, Fitness Passport, EIP and EAP.
- Access to discounted health insurance as well
- A diverse and inclusive workplace for you to feel safe, acknowledged and included.
- Our people are our biggest asset, we will support you to progress your career with a dedicated L&D team.
- A workplace with Rainbow Tick Accreditation and DCA Inclusive Employer recognition.

**_ What our people say
- _**_“I feel really supported - probably the most supported I’ve ever felt in a workplace. This job can be really difficult, so if you’re supported, that’s half the battle for me. Knowing it's there means I can go out and do the work.”_**

**Ready to take the next step**:
**The closing date for receiving expressions of interest will be Sunday 7th September with interviews week of the 14th September.**
- Please Note: It is mandatory for the successful applicant to hold a current Working with Children Check and be prepared to undergo a National Criminal History Check prior to commencement._
- Anglicare Victoria acknowledges Aboriginal people as the traditional custodians of the land on which we operate. We commit to working respectfully to honour their ongoing cultural and spiritual connections to this country._
- Diversity and inclusivity are important to Anglicare Victoria and we are committed to ensuring our workplace and services reflect this. Everyone is welcome at Anglicare Victoria, regardless of age, ethnicity, cultural background, gender, sexual orientation, religious affiliation and physical ability._