Therapeutic Specialist

The Therapeutic Specialist plays a pivotal role within the Therapeutic Foster Care (TFC) Program, providing expert clinical consultation, therapeutic assessment, and support to enhance outcomes for children and young people living in out-of-home care. This role is central to building carer capability, embedding trauma-informed practice within multidisciplinary care teams, and ensuring that each child or young person receives an individualised, evidence-informed therapeutic response aligned with their developmental, emotional and relational needs.

Operating as a core member of the Care Team, the Therapeutic Specialist is responsible for conducting and coordinating comprehensive assessments, contributing to the formulation and implementation of therapeutic plans aligned to the child/young person's Case Plan and delivering direct support to carers and practitioners through modelling, reflective consultation, and capacity building. The Therapeutic Specialist works in close partnership with carers, recognising and valuing their unique role in the child's recovery and supporting them to feel confident, capable and empowered in delivering therapeutic parenting. The role emphasises collaboration rather than direction, and seeks to build trusting, respectful relationships that enable shared understanding and joint decision-making.

The Therapeutic Specialist works within a defined clinical governance framework that ensures fidelity to the therapeutic model, promotes continuous quality improvement, and upholds all legislative, programmatic and ethical obligations. Through strong collaboration, cultural responsiveness, and clinical expertise, the role contributes to placement stability, trauma recovery, and improved long-term outcomes for children and young people in care.

Qualifications

Essential

These qualifications are mandatory for applicants to be considered for the role of Therapeutic Specialist:

A recognised tertiary qualification in one of the following fields:

• Psychology

• Social Work or Other relevant qualification appropriate to therapeutic practice

• Eligibility for membership (or registration, where relevant) with a professional governing body, such as:

• AASW (Australian Association of Social Workers) 

• AHPRA (e.g., for psychologists or occupational therapists) preferred but not essential

• Demonstrated clinical experience working therapeutically with children and young people, particularly those who have experienced trauma, disrupted attachment, abuse or neglect.

• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement therapeutic assessments and intervention plans, and work within an evidence-informed practice framework.

• Understanding of the child protection and out-of-home care service system in Victoria.

• Proven skills in supporting carers and families to implement therapeutic responses to complex child needs.

**See PD for Preferable Qualifications

Skills and Experience**

• Practice Capability

• Interpersonal and Communication Skills

• Cultural and Ethical Competence

OzChild Offers

• Full time Permanent role 

• The opportunity to work across OzChild sites, Dandenong/Yarraville

• Salary SCHCADS level 7.1 $119,093.52 plus super and salary packaging 

• Salary packaging $15,900 plus $2,650 meals and entertainment 

• A unique culture promoting diversity, cultural competence and shared values

• Ex Gratia days at Christmas and Easter 

Other Requirements

• Current Working with Children Check (Victoria) and National Police Check.

• Current valid driver's licence and willingness to travel as required.

• Willingness to participate in ongoing training, supervision, and professional development.

You can apply for the role today by clicking APPLY NOW.

Please submit a resume with a cover letter that describes your passion, values and commitment to working with vulnerable young people and families.

For more information, a confidential discussion about the role or simply to ask a question, contact Hiring Manager - Marg Stott or email  

OzChild is committed to the employment of Aboriginal people and providing a work environment in which Aboriginal peoples' cultures, beliefs and values are acknowledged and respected, and in which the individual career goals and personal aims of Aboriginal staff are identified, promoted and achieved.

OzChild is a child-safe organisation committed to protecting children and young people from all forms of abuse, bullying, exploitation and neglect, and to creating environments in all our programs and services where children are safe and feel safe.

OzChild is an equal opportunity employer and encourages individuals of diverse backgrounds to apply