• Join a leading provider delivering exceptional services, Youth Residential Care
• Offer therapeutic, reparative care for the children & young people
• Part time|4 days|fixed term to January 2027|based at Dandenong

What's on offer?

We are excited to announce an opportunity to join the Keep Embracing Your Success (KEYS) program as a Therapeutic Specialist. This part time 0.8 role (SCHADS 8.3) is a fixed term opportunity from June 2026 until January 2027 (around 6 months)

The Therapeutic Specialist works in partnership with Monash Health and alongside a multi-disciplinary team to: 

• Promote ability of young people to manage their mental health or recover from the effects of trauma with direct client work.
• Resource staff to provide nurturing, therapeutic, reparative care for young people who present with complex needs.

About the KEYS Program

In KEYS, Anglicare Victoria, in collaboration with DFFH Child Protection, Mind Australia, Monash Health, VACCA, and the Youth Support and Advocacy Service (YSAS), supports young people aged 12–17 years experiencing complex emotional and behavioural challenges, particularly those in or at risk of entering residential care. KEYS is an intensive transitional program designed to help young people stabilise behaviours and build skills, enabling their transition from residential care to less intensive community-based options like foster care, kinship care, independent living, or reunification with family.

The program operates across two residential homes in Dandenong and Noble Park, each accommodating up to four young people at a time. The young people continue receiving support from a consistent care team after transition under the KEYS Phase 2 model. 

About the Role

As Therapeutic Specialist, you will provide direct and indirect mental health support to young people in collaboration with Monash Health and Anglicare Victoria. This support may be in clinic, in their home, in the community, or other locations as required. The Therapeutic Specialist leads the development of a therapeutic assessment and implementing treatment recommendations, as well as providing consultation to other team members around trauma, attachment and developmental difficulties. This role would suit a clinician with substantial experience in working with young people living with complex trauma, mental health, disability and substance use. 

• Bachelor of Applied Science (OT), Bachelor or Master of Occupational Therapy, Master of Psychology, Bachelor or Master of Social Work, Masters Family therapy and eligibility for registration with the applicable professional association.
• Victoria Driver’s License.

• Formalised accreditation in providing clinical practice, such as Medicare accreditation.

What Sets KEYS apart?

The program is underpinned by principles such as:

• Positive, aspirational culture.
• Holistic and culturally informed assessments.
• Family and community connections.
• Interdisciplinary collaboration and planned transitions.
• Access to clinical supervision, education and vocational opportunities.

You can download and review the full position description here:  Therapeutic Specialist (inclusive KEYS) PD RESI E AW8 042023 V1.02.pdf

Who are we looking for:

• Experience developing intervention plans and mentoring and coaching staff in therapeutic responses.
• Experience with trauma/mental health of children and young people.
• Experience providing secondary consults and training for clinical staff working with children and young people experiencing impacts of trauma.

What makes this such a great role for you:

This is a great opportunity to join one of Victoria’s leading organisation’s that has led major change to the system through its services and impact, and is an opportunity for you to be a part of our continued journey in working and servicing the needs of vulnerable children youth and families.

As a Therapeutic Specialist at AV you’ll receive:

• SCHCADS level 8.3 which equates to $134,288 plus super at 12% at full time.
• Access to Salary Packaging of up to $15,900.
• Part time, 0.8, 4 days, (pro rata the above salary)
• Fixed term until January 2027.
• An office location at Dandenong.
• Access to discounted health insurance and other retail discounts.
• Access to AV’s suite of Health and Wellbeing benefits, such as our Well Worth It! Program, Fitness Passport, EIP and EAP.
• Supervision provided by a Senior Therapeutic Specialist with access to a wider team including a Principal Practitioner and Manager Clinical Practice.

What our people say-  “I feel really supported - probably the most supported I’ve ever felt in a workplace. This job can be really difficult, so if you’re supported, that’s half the battle for me. Knowing it's there means I can go out and do the work.”

Ready to take the next step:

We would like to receive applications by no later than Sunday 31st May.

All you need to do is click APPLY which will take you to our application portal. Create a profile or login if you already have one.

To support your application, please provide us with a resume, along with a 1-page cover letter that describes you, your motivation to apply, your desire to work in Residential Care as well as anything else that you feel might add value to your application and set you apart.

We may reach out during the advertising period to discuss your application in more detail and ask some further questions. We would also invite you to do the same. Please contact Jessica Ruschen on 03 9293 8500 or email jessica.ruschen@anglicarevic.org.au 

Anglicare Victoria acknowledges Aboriginal people as the traditional custodians of the land on which we operate. We commit to working respectfully to honour their ongoing cultural and spiritual connections to this country.

Diversity and inclusivity are important to Anglicare Victoria and we are committed to ensuring our workplace and services reflect this.  Everyone is welcome at Anglicare Victoria, regardless of age, ethnicity, cultural background, gender, sexual orientation, religious affiliation and physical ability.