JOB DESCRIPTION
Are you a motivated and compassionate psychologist with experience supporting Indigenous young people, particularly those involved in the youth justice system and who may present with complex trauma?
Do you bring an empathetic, culturally responsive approach, and a strong commitment to assisting young people and their families to access assessment, guidance, and evidence-based support for mental health, behavioural, and emotional needs?
Silver Lining Foundation Australia Ltd (SLFA) has an exciting opportunity for an individual to join our team in the role of Psychologist for our Neuro Ability Support Services (NASS) Programs in Townsville. Our NASS Program works with Australia's First Nations young people generally aged between 10-17 years, who are primarily involved with the Townsville North and Townsville South Youth Justice Service Centres, and who present with suspected or diagnosed neurodevelopmental disabilities.
(Note: Full-time role; part-time considered. Please specify your availability in your application if seeking part-time hours).
ABOUT US
Silver Lining Foundation Australia Ltd (SLFA) (https://silverlining.org.au) is a growing Indigenous led charity whose objective is to provide benevolent relief to First Nations Australians. SLFA has multiple programs based in Queensland that provide culturally appropriate services that cater for the diverse needs of disenfranchised Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Our Schools and Support Services programs work with predominantly Indigenous young people in providing culturally appropriate education and other social and health focussed support services.
SLFA is committed to meaningful equity and diversity in our workforce. We do this by creating a workplace which embraces and celebrates the value of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff, their skills and contributions. We strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
ABOUT YOU
You are someone who:
* Is passionate about supporting children and young people.
* Is caring, nurturing, and patient, with a calm and positive approach.
* Is a hard worker who is reliable, organised, and proactive.
* Is a team player who works collaboratively and communicates well.
* Respects and values Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and communities.
* Is committed to creating a safe, inclusive, and culturally responsive environment.
CHILD SAFETY STATEMENT OF COMMITMENT
SLFA is committed to providing a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment for all children and young people. We have zero tolerance for child abuse, harm, or neglect and are dedicated to upholding the rights, dignity, and wellbeing of every child and young person.
We recognise that children and young people have the right to feel safe, respected, and heard. We actively work to create a culture where child safety is embedded in everything we do, guided by the National Child Safe Principles and the Universal Child Safe Standards.
SLFA is committed to:
* Promoting the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people involved in our schools, programs, services, and activities.
* Creating a child-safe culture where children and young people are valued, their voices are listened to, and their concerns are taken seriously.
* Ensuring equity and inclusion, with particular attention to the safety and empowerment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, children from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, children with disability, and children who may be vulnerable.
* Maintaining robust child-safe policies, procedures, and practices that are clearly communicated and regularly reviewed.
* Ensuring all staff, volunteers, contractors, and SLFA Board Directors understand their responsibilities to keep children and young people safe and are appropriately screened, trained, and supported.
* Encouraging and responding appropriately to the reporting of concerns, complaints, or allegations, in line with legal and regulatory requirements.
* Continuously reviewing and improving our child safety practices to ensure they remain effective and responsive.
Everyone at SLFA shares responsibility for safeguarding children and young people. We are committed to acting in the best interests of children and young people at all times and to fostering environments where they can thrive, participate, and reach their full potential.
THE ROLE
The NASS Program, with the support of Department of Youth Justice Qld, aims to connect, and ensure an ongoing connection for Indigenous young people who are diagnosed with a neurodevelopment disability - such as, but not limited to - intellectual disabilities, ASD, FASD, acquired brain injury and ADHD, to appropriate support services so that their disability needs can be met.
The successful applicant will be someone that is dedicated and passionate about transforming the lives of our Indigenous young people - predominantly those in the Youth Justice system, and their families, by connecting them with appropriate health and mental health services (including diagnostic services) to address their disability needs, particularly those disability needs that may contribute their risk of reoffending.
Working collaboratively as part of a small team, the role requires the Psychologist to work alongside other SLFA staff to achieve program objectives and deliverables. The role will be supported by the SLFA Support Services Officer and other SLFA leadership staff. Hours of work will generally be Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 5.00pm, with flexible delivery of consultation and assessments, including the option for evening and weekend consultations.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
* Collaborate with the relevant Department of Youth Justice Qld branches in Townsville and other partners as required to identify, refer and triage eligible young people.
* Facilitate effective working relationships and partnerships with young people, families, Youth Justice representatives, caseworkers, and external support agencies, involving a multidisciplinary approach, to provide a comprehensive support, case management and diagnosis and referral service that optimises young peoples’ access and engagement in a variety of health and mental health services.
* Undertake necessary prioritisation and triage of referrals and service requests.
* Assist families to access and attend diagnostic services, if required (including information gathering where possible to assist in diagnostics) and assisting families to understand a diagnosis.
* Provide an advocacy role for the young person and their family, including supporting them to exercise their own cultural authority throughout the process.
* Identification of, and referral to, relevant support services following diagnosis.
* Practical support by providing transport to and from clinical appointments if/when required.
* Provide case management for the NASS Program in accordance with the requirements of the Department of Justice Qld.
* Other relevant activities to support young people as identified in their Youth Justice case plans.
OTHER DUTIES:
* Perform routine administration tasks such as photocopying, filing, record-keeping, reporting, use of Microsoft 365 and other record management systems used for the NASS Program.
* Liaise proactively and effectively with young people and their families, community, caseworkers, etc,
* Build positive but professional relationships with young people and their families, carers, caseworkers, etc, and effectively communicate with them.
* Model and promote respectful behaviour and support the physical, social, and emotional wellbeing of our young people in a professional manner.
* Engage in SLFA, events, meetings, and activities as required.
KEY SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
* Experience: Experience of delivering psychological assessment, clinical formulation, and diagnosis for young people, particularly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people, who are marginalised and disengaged from education and who may present with a complex history of trauma.
* Teamwork: Ability to contribute to the effective operation of a team and work collaboratively with others to fulfil objectives and achieve goals and strategic plans.
* Communication: Excellent interpersonal, oral and listening skills, including the ability to communicate messages and concepts clearly and concisely, collaborate, negotiate and effectively manage conflict resolution and competent written skills.
* Interpersonal Impact: High standards of professional behaviour and demonstrated ability to make a positive impression on others in a range of interpersonal contexts. Demonstrates empathy, emotional understanding and support while maintaining professional relationships.
* Relationship management: Strong ability to engage in and foster quality relationships with young people, staff, parents/carers and other key stakeholders and ability to maintain effective and professional working relationships.
* Trauma-Informed Approach: Understanding of or willingness to learn how adverse childhood experiences and trauma can affect young people, and ability to develop appropriate responses and plans.
* ICT Proficiency: Proficient in using ICT tools, including Microsoft 365 applications (Outlook, Word, Excel), for administration tasks, record keeping and communication.
* Achieve Results: Self-motivated, resourceful, organised and ability to manage multiple tasks, prioritise work demands and competing tasks and meet deadlines in a diverse environment.
* Health and Safety Compliance: Understands and ability to follow health and safety standards and guidelines, with the ability to plan, monitor, and address issues in accordance with policy.
QUALIFICAITONS
At a minimum, you must have:
* Master of Psychology, Master of Professional Psychology, etc; or
* Doctorate in Psychology; or
* Master of Clinical Neuropsychology and Clinical Psychology;
* Registration with the Psychology Board of Australia.
AND
* Class Code C (Car) and Type Code O or P2 (Open or Provisional 2) Driver Licence.
Position Start Date:
* Monday 27th April 2026 (negotiable).
Applications must include:
* Cover Letter: explaining your reason/s for applying, and why you would be suited to this role.
* Current CV / Resume: including at least two professional referees (referees will be contacted following an interview).
Applications Close: Friday 17th April 2026.
Note: Please submit your application through SEEK only.