Principal Practitioner

About the role

MacKillop Family Services is seeking an experienced Principal Practitioner to step into a leadership role within our Clinical Services team. This position combines clinical expertise with the opportunity to guide and influence practice across the team strengthening the support we provide to children young people and foster families.

In this role you will not only apply your therapeutic knowledge but also lead by shaping practice mentoring colleagues and ensuring trauma-informed approaches are embedded across our work. You will partner closely with case managers carer development staff and other clinicians to build capacity provide high-level consultation and drive consistent evidence-based responses to complex needs.

Each day brings new challenges and opportunities whether you are leading reflective practice sessions guiding complex case discussions or supporting care teams to strengthen relationships between children and carers. What remains constant is your role as a leader who sets the standard builds capability and ensures high-quality care.

We are seeking an experienced professional with strong knowledge of mental health trauma and child and adolescent development who can combine clinical expertise with leadership collaboration and the ability to inspire others in this vital work.

This is an ongoing full-time opportunity (38 hours per week) based in our South Melbourne Office. You will work within our Southern Clinical Services program and report to the Lead Principal Practitioner.

Key Selection Criteria

• Relevant tertiary qualifications in Psychology Social Work Family Therapy or a related discipline.
• Post Graduate training in relevant child adolescent and family clinical practice family therapy and systemic thinking is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated leadership experience in Clinical Services or a related function.
• Proven ability to participate collaboratively and constructively in both leadership and participant roles within teams of peers staff and other stakeholders as well as initiative and effective personal judgement when working alone.
• Evidence of high-level consultation communication and interpersonal skills with a demonstrated capacity to work collaboratively with others negotiate and exercise influence in a diversity of contexts.

Please address the full Key Selection Criteria outlined in the PD as part of your application. For a full position listing please click APPLY. The Position Description is available for review at the bottom of the page.

For more information please contact:

Lynda Manley at

Our offer

• Salary packagingWe can help you to maximise yoursalary packaging up to $18550 per year which allows you to reduce the amount of tax you pay.
• Paid Training - Industry specific training including Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) Sanctuary and Cultural Awareness training.
• 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 - MacKillops 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.
• ClickHEREto find out more about becoming a member of the MacKillop Family Services team and what further support we have to offer our employees. must have a:
  • Valid and current Drivers License;
  • 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).

  Our Commitment

  MacKillop celebrates and draws strength from diversity and respects the dignity of all person at MacKillop has the right to be safe and to be treated justly. We value every persons 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.