Behavioural Support Specialist | Hunter Cohort

Lifestyle Solutions; Newcastle City Council; On-site; AUD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Lifestyle Solutions delivers therapeutic child and family services across Australia, and seeks a dedicated Behaviour Support Specialist to support OOHC, ITC, and Foster Care programs. You will conduct assessments, develop plans and coach frontline staff within a trauma-informed framework.

Join a multidisciplinary team and contribute to case planning, reporting, and ensuring compliance with regulations while traveling as needed across locations. A relevant degree and checks are required.

Qualifications

• Degree in Psychology, Social Work, Behavioural Science, Counselling or related Human Services.
• Experience working with children and young people in OOHC, child protection or therapeutic care settings.
• Strong knowledge of trauma-informed practice, attachment theory and therapeutic care frameworks.
• Demonstrated experience in behavioural assessment, intervention and Behaviour Support Planning.
• Excellent communication, coaching and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Strong report writing and documentation skills.
• Current Working with Children Check.
• Current National Criminal History Check.
• Current driver's licence and willingness to travel.

Responsibilities

• Conduct behavioural observations, assessments and functional behaviour assessments.
• Develop and implement Behaviour Support Plans and therapeutic interventions.
• Provide behavioural consultation and coaching to frontline staff, carers and operational leaders.
• Support children and young people experiencing complex trauma and behavioural challenges.
• Promote Positive Behaviour Support approaches and reduce the use of restrictive practices.
• Collaborate with Clinical Psychologist and multidisciplinary teams on therapeutic case planning.
• Participate in case reviews, clinical consultations and placement planning.
• Support staff through reflective practice, coaching and incident debriefing.
• Prepare high-quality behavioural assessments, reports and recommendations.
• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of behavioural interventions.
• Build strong relationships with carers, families, government agencies and external service providers.
• Ensure practice aligns with legislative, regulatory and organisational requirements.

Skills

Trauma-informed practice

Attachment theory

Behavioural assessment

Report writing

Communication & coaching

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Degree in Psychology, Social Work, Behavioural Science, Counselling or related Human Services

Job description

Behaviour Support Specialist

We're looking for a passionate Behaviour Support Specialist to join our Child and Family Services team. Working alongside our Clinical Psychologist, Practice Teams and Operational Leaders, you'll provide specialist behavioural assessment, consultation and coaching across Out-of-Home Care (OOHC), Intensive Therapeutic Care (ITC), Foster Care and related programs.

About the Role

You will:

• Conduct behavioural observations, assessments and functional behaviour assessments.
• Develop and implement Behaviour Support Plans and therapeutic interventions.
• Provide behavioural consultation and coaching to frontline staff, carers and operational leaders.
• Support children and young people experiencing complex trauma and behavioural challenges.
• Promote Positive Behaviour Support approaches and reduce the use of restrictive practices.
• Collaborate closely with the Clinical Psychologist and multidisciplinary teams on therapeutic case planning.
• Participate in case reviews, clinical consultations and placement planning.
• Support staff through reflective practice, coaching and incident debriefing.
• Prepare high-quality behavioural assessments, reports and recommendations.
• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of behavioural interventions.
• Build strong relationships with carers, families, government agencies and external service providers.
• Ensure practice aligns with legislative, regulatory and organisational requirements.

About You

You will bring:

• A degree in Psychology, Social Work, Behavioural Science, Counselling or a related Human Services discipline.
• Experience working with children and young people in Out-of-Home Care, child protection or therapeutic care settings.
• Strong knowledge of trauma-informed practice, attachment theory and therapeutic care frameworks.
• Demonstrated experience in behavioural assessment, intervention and Behaviour Support Planning.
• Excellent communication, coaching and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Strong report writing and documentation skills.
• A current Working with Children Check.
• A current National Criminal History Check.
• A current driver's licence and willingness to travel

About Lifestyle Solutions

Lifestyle Solutions delivers therapeutic child and family services across Australia. Our teams support children, young people and carers through trauma-informed practice, helping create safer futures while living our values of respect, accountability and making every interaction matter.

Our organisation is committed to protecting children and young people from harm. We require all applicants to undergo an extensive screening process prior to appointment.