Principal Practitioner

• Lead Clinical excellence in trauma informed care
• Collaborate across teams to support vulnerable children
• Shape service delivery through expert supervision and training

About The Role

The Principal Practitioner will lead the ACT and Southern NSW Clinical Services team, providing expert guidance and oversight in the management of complex cases involving children, young people, and families. This role is responsible for delivering high quality, culturally safe therapeutic services and ensuring alignment with strategic operational goals. You will work closely with internal leaders and external partners to promote evidence based, trauma informed practice across the organisation.

About You

You are a compassionate and experienced clinical leader with a deep understanding of trauma informed care and therapeutic practice. Your background in psychology, social work or a related discipline is complemented by postgraduate training and a strong foundation in working with young people and families. You're confident in providing supervision, consultation and training, and have a proven ability to influence practice quality across multidisciplinary teams.

This is an Ongoing Full Time opportunity based in Canberra - ACT, reporting to the Director – ACT and Southern NSW

Key Responsibilities

• Provide clinical leadership and deliver evidence informed interventions for complex and high risk cases involving children and young people.
• Apply a child centred, family focused approach to assessment and support, promoting coordinated and strength based care.
• Collaborate with internal and external partners to ensure quality practice and effective case management.
• Deliver clinical supervision and line management to Therapeutic Specialists, ensuring trauma informed therapeutic practice.
• Supervise the Case Management Coordinator to align clinical services with case management practices.
• Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including government and community agencies.

What You'll Bring

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• Tertiary qualifications in Psychology, Social Work or a related discipline, with post graduate training in child, adolescent and family clinical practice.
• Proven leadership experience in Clinical Services or related function
• Specialist knowledge in working with vulnerable children, young people and families, including trauma, mental health, disability and substance use.
• Strong understanding of Attachment and Trauma theories and ability to support others in applying these to practice.
• Understanding of Aboriginal culture and awareness of issues affecting Aboriginal children, young people, and families.

Please address the selection criteria in a cover letter. You can find the full selection criteria in the Position Description.

For more information, please contact:

Rebecca Cormack on or

Our offer

• Salary packaging – we can help you to maximize your salary packaging up to $18,550 per year, which allows you to reduce the amount of tax you pay.
• Fitness Passport - which is a discounted workplace health and fitness program available to you and your family. For a fraction of the price of a regular gym membership.
• Employee Assistance Program- Free access to a wide range of options with all aspects of life such as social, financial, physical, mental health by providing counselling and coaching supporting relating both to your circumstance, even including health advice from qualified nutritionists.
• Supportive Environment - Monthly supportive meetings with your direct manager.
• Sanctuary Organisation - MacKillop's work is underpinned by the Sanctuary Model, an evidence-supported, whole of organisation framework that brings our values to life. The model reinforces our ability to create a safe environment that teaches people to cope effectively with stress and trauma, and to heal.

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.

Our Commitment:

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.