Senior Counsellor/Therapeutic Specialist
The key role of the Senior Counsellor/Therapeutic Specialist is to act as a specialist therapeutic consultant and practitioner, working in partnership with children, carers, and networks of professionals to deliver the program. The Therapeutic Specialist is primarily responsible for the provision of therapeutic counselling and support to foster carers and family carers via tele‐health.
About the Program
OurSPACE WA is a statewide counselling, therapeutic consultation and support service for foster and family carers. OurSPACE stands for Safe, Predictable, Adaptive, Connected and Empowered. OurSPACE WA helps to reduce stress for carers and improve placements for children by providing confidential counselling, empowering carers to better understand and respond to their children's therapeutic and cultural needs, and by offering support into the care team to strengthen the networks surrounding carers and their children. OurSPACE WA provides an integrated model of therapeutic counselling and specialised carer support, that responds to the unique and interrelated challenges and needs of carers. The OurSPACE WA service is predominately delivered via phone or videocall.
Australian Childhood Foundation
The Australian Childhood Foundation is a leading not-for-profit organisation dedicated to supporting children and young people to recover from the impacts of abuse, neglect, and family violence. We provide specialist therapeutic services, advocacy, and education programs underpinned by the latest research in neuroscience, attachment, and trauma. Our work is driven by a commitment to creating safe, supportive environments where every child can thrive.
About you – Key Selection Criteria
* An appropriate tertiary qualification in Psychology, Social Work, Counselling, or a related discipline.
* Demonstrated ability to provide leadership and direct service in the clinical assessment and treatment of children, young people, and families.
* Demonstrated knowledge of Counselling or Psychotherapy theory and experience in practice.
* Highly developed ability to provide secondary consultation and advice to clinicians and other professionals.
* Demonstrated capacity to lead and manage in an area of challenging and complex practice.
* Demonstrated knowledge of trauma, attachment and neurobiology frameworks and theories.Substantial experience in the area of child abuse and/or in working with traumatised children and their caregivers.
* Demonstrated commitment to working collaboratively and the capacity to negotiate and liaise with individuals who make up the network of support around children and young people, including carers, child protection, other agencies and the community.
* A sophisticated understanding of the complexity of the service system and the issues involved in providing services to statutory clients.
* A current WA driver's licence or equivalent.
* Personal values consistent with the values of the organisation.
What we offer
* Salary: $110,109 - $114,983 + Super + Salary Packaging up to $15,900
* Wellbeing Support – Access to confidential Employee Assistance program
* National Network – Connect with a passionate professional community across Australia.
* Values-Driven Culture – Be part of a trauma-informed, child-focused organisation that puts children's needs and voices at the centre of everything we do.
* Real Impact – Contribute to innovative programs that create meaningful change for children, young people and families.
* Guided Supervision – Regular individual and group supervision to support your growth.
Applications close on 26 June 2026, unless a suitable candidate is appointed earlier.
Australian Childhood Foundation is committed to protecting children and young people from harm. We require all applicants to undergo an extensive screening process prior to appointment including National Police Check, Working with Children Checks and additional State based program checks.
Australian Childhood Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with cultural and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and people with a disability are strongly encouraged to apply. Members of the LGBITQ+ community are strongly encouraged to apply.
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