Therapeutic Specialist – Youth and Family Services

Lead with Purpose. Transform Lives. Lighthouse Foundation is seeking a Therapeutic Specialist to expand our trauma-informed practice so children and young people are safe supported and empowered.

Lighthouse Foundation provides homes and therapeutic care programs to children and young people impacted by long-term neglect abuse and homelessness. Our focus is to create caring communities where kids can feel safe form meaningful relationships and begin to heal from traumatic experiences. For the past 35 years our proven Model of Care has successfully transformed the lives of over 1500 young people using a range of evidence-based strategies. We now educate and support Foster Carers in the same way so that they too can take care of some of Australias most vulnerable children.

As a Therapeutic Specialist you will provide direct clinical support to children young people and families with complex needs within Lighthouse programs.

You will provide therapeutic leadership aligned with the Lighthouse Model of Care and this includes holding a small case load therapeutic assessments and care planning for young people contributing to clinical planning delivering training and supporting the implementation of trauma-informed practice across youth services.

These services include but are not limited to young people at risk of homelessness living in Lighthouse Homes who have unique needs as young parents culturally and linguistic diverse backyards or out of home care experience.

This ongoing part-time role is central to supporting young people in our care leading teams in the application of the Lighthouse Model of Care and contributing to a culture of safety healing and growth.

• SCHADS Level 6 Salary Packaging Superannuation
• Flexible working arrangements
• Group reflective practice sessions
• Ongoing training and development
• Being part of a caring community who really values you

First and foremost interpersonal skills are a must with a level of maturity and understanding needed when working with those who use and support our services.

From a professional standpoint you will require:

• A tertiary qualification in Psychology Social Work Counselling or a related field
• A thorough understanding of the impact of trauma disrupted attachment and abuse/neglect on a child or young persons development and wellbeing
• Substantial experience working therapeutically with children and young people in particular those who have experienced trauma homelessness or have an out of home care experience
• Demonstrated capacity to achieve positive outcomes when working with children and young people who have experienced trauma and have complex needs and presentations
• A strong ability to develop therapeutic alliances with young people who have experienced significant family disruption personal trauma and those who present with complex psychological and social needs
• An ability to select and utilise relevant theoretical frameworks and tools in formulating suitable psychosocial assessments of young people and the ability to work with Care teams to implement therapeutic interventions
• Ability to provide secondary consultation in relation to young people who present with complex needs taking into consideration the most appropriate immediate response as well as shortterm medium term and long-term needs
• Demonstrate a thorough understanding of the needs of Aboriginal and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse children and young people to provide culturally sensitive and effectivecare for young people in residential care
• An ability to deliver therapeutic training / workshops as required
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Ability to plan prioritise workloads and meet deadlines as required
• Demonstrated commitment to personal and professional development
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Other key skills which would be desirable;

• Post graduate training in relevant child adolescent and family clinical practice is strongly preferred
• Experience in the not-for-profit sector
• Experience delivering therapeutic training / workshops
• A sound knowledge of neurodivergent-affirming care and developing strategies for children and young people that align with the contemporary evidence base.
• A sound knowledge of AOD impacts on young people and experience care planning to reduce harm.
• A well-developed understanding of child youth and family services and the Child Protection system in Victoria and a commitment and track-record of working in close partnership with internal teams and a broad range of external services.

For this role you will please note you will also need:

• Current drivers license
• Valid first aid certificate (if necessary) (or willingness to obtain one)
• Criminal Records check
• Current Working with Children check

Julian Schokmanor

We welcome your application and ask that you please review the attached position description provide your Resume and Cover letter broadly addressing the key selection criteria highlighted.

To submit your application clickApply Now.

Lighthouse celebrates diversity and affirm the right of access equity and equality for every young person staff member and volunteer in the Lighthouse Community. Our organisation is inclusive of all sexual orientations and gender identities. We also practice from a position of cultural safety and awareness across diverse languages religions and cultures. we respect respond and continue to learn about the unique needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people.

Lighthouse Foundation is a Child Safe Organisation we are committed to a thoughtful and protective environment that supports our babies children and young people to feel safe and respected and to build their capacity to feel deeply cared for and important to other human beings.

Please find attached the position description.