Position Overview
The Senior Therapeutic Practice Specialist is responsible for overseeing the care environment across residential houses where advanced expertise and therapeutic understanding are required to ensure a safe, stable, and therapeutic setting for children and young people. They provide both operational and therapeutic leadership, coaching, and reflective support to staff teams.
Combining service coordination with clinical influence, the Senior Therapeutic Practice Specialist promotes consistency in routines, relational responses, boundaries, and culture while embedding trauma-informed and therapeutic principles. They collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to achieve positive outcomes in safety, connection, and growth, while ensuring alignment with the organisation’s therapeutic approach.
This role plays a central part in developing and implementing trauma-informed and therapeutic practices, supporting high-quality care planning, and maintaining compliance with relevant legislation, organisational policies, and the standards for Out-of-Home Care.
Responsibilities
Case Management
- Lead and support the development, implementation, and review of complex case plans for children and young people where additional therapeutic oversight is required.
- Coordinate multidisciplinary input, including education, health, family, and cultural supports.
- Maintain regular contact with Child Safety Officers and key external stakeholders.
- Ensure each young person’s voice and participation are central to planning and decision-making.
- Monitor progress against care goals and update plans as needs evolve.
Leadership and Team Support
- Provide supervision, guidance, and professional support to junior colleagues and other care team members.
- Provide consultation and advice on complex cases and therapeutic interventions.
- Lead and contribute to a positive team and organisational culture which promotes Praxis values.
- Model and reinforce the organisation’s therapeutic and trauma-informed care model and practices.
- Support staff to develop professional skills including reflective practice and continuous improvement and implement trauma-informed care strategies.
- Contribute to the recruitment, training, and performance development of residential staff.
- Facilitate team meetings, reflective practice sessions, and case discussions.
- Provide immediate support and debriefing to staff where required.
- Engage in professional written and verbal communication with care staff, colleagues, management and other key stakeholders.
- Identify staff development needs and collaborate with the Executive Manager – Quality to address them.
Compliance and Quality Practice
- Ensure case management and care delivery comply with legislation, child protection standards, and organisational policies.
- Maintain accurate, timely case notes, reports, and documentation.
- Support risk assessment and incident reviews and ensure learning outcomes are implemented.
- Participate in internal audits and contribute to service improvement initiatives.
- Manage any complaints or feedback promptly and in line with organisational and legislative requirements.
Stakeholder Engagement
- Build and maintain collaborative relationships with statutory bodies, external providers, families, and community agencies.
- Represent Praxis Solutions at case conferences, placement meetings, and interagency forums in a professional manner.
- Advocate for the rights, needs, and best interests of children and young people.
Safety and Wellbeing
- Promote a child-safe, inclusive, and culturally responsive environment.
- Support risk assessment and management processes across residential programs.
- Uphold Work Health and Safety (WHS) obligations and model safe work practices.
Other Duties
- Provide operational and therapeutic support to additional programs as required
- Travel between programs and key sites as required
- Provide rostered after hours support as required
- Any other duties as directed or necessary as per program / service requirements.
Requirements
1. Qualifications & Experience
- Tertiary qualification in Social Work, Psychology, Counselling, Community Services, or a related discipline (or equivalent extensive experience).
- Significant case management experience in residential care, child protection, or youth services.
- Demonstrated understanding of trauma-informed and therapeutic care principles.
- Proven ability to lead, mentor, and support staff teams in complex care environments.
2. Knowledge & Skills
- Strong understanding of trauma-informed and therapeutic care approaches.
- Strong knowledge of child protection legislation, residential care standards, and best practice.
- Skilled in reflective practice, coaching, and therapeutic communication.
- Excellent interpersonal and written communication skills.
- Ability to balance operational leadership with therapeutic guidance.
- Competence in case planning, risk assessment, and interagency collaboration.
3. Other Requirements
- Current Working with Children Check (WWCC) and National Police Check.
- Current First Aid and CPR certification.
- Current unrestricted driver’s license.
- Other relevant licensing requirements.
Benefits
- Company provided mobile phone and laptop
- Ongoing leadership development opportunities
- Option to attend professional workshops and conferences throughout the year
Please apply immediately as applications will be reviewed as they are received and the role may be filled prior to the closing date.
