Therapeutic Specialist Therapeutic Foster Care

MacKillop Family Services; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tax offset benefit

Wellbeing support (confidential)

Sanctuary Model framework

First Nations career pathways

Ngindaay Guumaldanha Aboriginal Staff 

Job summary

MacKillop Family Services is seeking a Therapeutic Specialist to provide critical clinical and therapeutic support across Out of Home Care, Homelessness, Family Therapy and community programs in Victoria. Reporting to the Principal Practitioner, you will use psychology, social work or related discipline expertise to drive high-quality, evidence-based interventions for children and families.

You will collaborate with local teams and the Victorian Clinical Services team, delivering expert

Qualifications

• Minimum tertiary qualification in Psychology, Social Work or related discipline.
• Current registration as a psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia (preferred).
• Post Graduate training in relevant child, adolescent and family clinical practice, family therapy and systemic thinking preferred.

Responsibilities

• Conduct assessments and develop treatment plans with therapeutic interventions including Family Therapy.
• Provide clinical guidance and reflective practice to staff and carers.
• Offer specialist advice and review for complex cases to support evidence-based decision-making.
• Collaborate with Managers and program teams to achieve positive outcomes for children and families.

Skills

Therapeutic assessment

Family Therapy

Trauma-informed care

Consultation

Leadership & coaching

Education

Tertiary qualification in Psychology or Social Work

Master’s degree in psychology

Post-graduate training in child/adolescent and family clinical practice

Job description

Join MacKillop Family Services and help deliver life-changing therapeutic support to children, young people, families, and carers across our services.

As a Therapeutic Specialist, you will provide critical clinical and therapeutic support to casework teams across MacKillop's Out of Home Care, Homelessness, Family Therapy, and community-based programs.

Reporting to the Principal Practitioner you'll use your expertise in Psychology, Social Work, Family Therapy, or a related discipline to make a meaningful difference in the lives of children, young people, and families.

Working collaboratively with local program teams and MacKillop's Victorian Clinical Services team, you will deliver expert therapeutic guidance, strengthen practice capability, and help achieve positive outcomes through high-quality, evidence-based interventions that drive lasting outcomes and create real impact where it's needed most.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Therapeutic Support - Conduct assessments, develop treatment plans, and deliver therapeutic interventions, including Family Therapy, to support positive outcomes.
• Practice Leadership - Coach and support staff and carers to deliver therapeutic, trauma-informed care through reflective practice, consultation, and capability development.
• Complex Case Support - Provide specialist advice, consultation, and review for complex cases, promoting quality practice and evidence-based decision-making
• Collaboration - Partner with Managers, Coordinators, program teams, and the Victorian Clinical Services team to achieve positive outcomes for children, young people, and families.

This is an ongoing full-time opportunity 36 hours per week based in Preston with travel to Bendigo within our Home-Based Care Program. The position reports to PP North Metro and Loddon.

KEY SELECTION CRITERIA

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• A strong understanding of Aboriginal cultures, values and communities, with an awareness of the challenges and strengths of Aboriginal children, young people and families.
• An appropriate tertiary qualification in Psychology, Social Work or a related discipline is essential.
• Current registration as a psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia and a higher degree in psychology at master’s level is preferred.
• Post Graduate training in relevant child, adolescent and family clinical practice, family therapy and systemic thinking is strongly preferred.

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.

We value the unique knowledge, perspectives, and cultural contributions of First Nations peoples. Your experience and insights are important to us, and we strongly encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates to apply.

For more information, please contact: Lauren Wright, Principal Practitioner, [e-mail]

WHAT WE OFFER

• More money in your pocket – up to $18,550 per year, which allows you to reduce the amount of tax you pay.
• Wellbeing that matters - Free, confidential support for mental, physical, financial and social wellbeing.
• 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.
• First Nations career pathways – Warrungarli Strategy supporting recruitment, retention and professional development
• Community & connection – Opportunity to join Ngindaay Guumaldanha, our Aboriginal Staff Network

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 we continue 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.