Careers

Therapeutic Specialist (Social Worker/Psychologist/OT)

• Contract until end of May 2025 (potential to extend)
• Supporting Northern NSW
• Based in Coffs Harbour or Ballina

Great benefits!

About the Organisation

Every day, Life Without Barriers provides support and care to children and young people, as we work collaboratively with families, carers, and communities, to ensure they have the environment they deserve to grow. With a focus on ensuring safety and respect, this is an opportunity to make a positive and meaningful difference in these young lives and help pave a brighter future.

Life Without Barriers is a leading social purpose organisation of 8,000 employees working in more than 500 communities across Australia. We support children, young people and families, people with disability, older people and people with mental illness. We work with people who are homeless and refugees and asylum seekers. Join a community of people dedicated to breaking down barriers.

We want to employ people who reflect the diversity of our clients to ensure we can support each client's individual needs and wants. We encourage people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander background and people with disability to apply.

About the role

We have a max term contract available covering maternity leave for our Northern NSW Practice team. As a Therapeutic Specialist, you’ll play an important role in the lives of Children & Young People within our Out of Home Care Services which includes Residential Care and Family Based Care. The Children & Young people in our care have backgrounds of complex trauma, abuse and/or neglect, and in some cases physical and/or psychosocial disabilities requiring support.

In this role you will undertake conduct assessments, develop and supervise the implementation of therapeutic care plans & positive behaviours support plans along with providing ongoing practice support and training to team members.

This is a max term contract commencing end of January until end of May 2025, and will support our Northern services, based from our office in Coffs Harbour or Ballina. This role can be full time or 4 days per week and travel is required to our services across the region. Cost of travel will be reimbursed.

Key Responsibilities

• Champion the CARE Principles and TCI system as the model for delivering Intensive Therapeutic Care in our residential settings.
• Facilitate regular reflective practice and clinical support sessions for direct care staff.
• Develop and assist in the implementation of Behaviour Support Plans & Individual care plans of Children & Young People.
• Undertake various assessments of Children & Young People, as determined by their current and ongoing needs.
• Provide expertise and support to Child & Family Practitioners & Senior Support staff in the formulation and ongoing management of Therapeutic Care Plans, and to ensure purposeful supports are provided in line with CARE principals.
• Coordinate preventative strategies to ensure continuity of care and mitigate placement breakdowns.
• Advocate on behalf of Children & Young People by engaging agencies and organisations to support consistent therapeutic practice.
• Complete client matching, contribute to intake assessment and support the transition of Children & Young People into homes.

Skills & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree qualifications in Psychology, Social Work, Occupational Therapy, Mental Health Nursing or related (Post Graduate qualifications will be highly regarded)
• Current registration or eligibility for registration with the professional body relevant to qualification.
• Demonstrated experience within a clinical environment supporting Children and Young People in OOHC, ideally in an Intensive Therapeutic Care setting.
• Significant experience using evidence-based assessment tools with young people with trauma informed behaviour.
• Demonstrated understanding and application of child development and complex trauma and its effects on children and young people in out of home care.

Successful candidates will be required to clear probity checks including National Criminal History Record Check and NSW Working with Children Check.

To be considered for and appointed to a position at Life Without Barriers, you must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 with a minimum of two (2) doses or hold a valid medical exemption certificate, in accordance with Life Without Barriers Employee COVID-19 Vaccination Policy. You will be required to provide evidence of your vaccination status during the recruitment process

How to Apply

Include your resume and covering letter in one document, click ‘Apply’ and follow the prompts. For any enquiries including persons with disability that require adjustments, contact tracy.dallas@lwb.org.au

Applications close at midnight 14 January 2025