Therapeutic Coach

Child Welfare, Youth & Family Services (Community Services & Development)
Full time
Are you passionate about making a meaningful impact in the lives of children and caregivers? We are seeking a dedicated and dynamic leader to join our Children's Services team as a Therapeutic Coach. In this pivotal role, you will have the opportunity to shape the delivery of therapeutic services, guiding a team of employees and volunteers to provide specialized support to children in care. You'll lead the way in developing safety plans, delivering transformative training, and offering direct therapeutic consultation to care teams. Your expertise will be key in fostering a positive and supportive environment where both children and staff thrive.
This is more than just a leadership role – it's a chance to make a real difference. You'll be entrusted with implementing innovative therapeutic practices, ensuring that every child receives personalized, high-quality care. If you're a resilient, creative, and motivated leader with a strong background in child protection, family interventions, and therapeutic support, this is the role for you. Join us in creating lasting, positive change in the lives of vulnerable young people, while developing your career within a supportive, collaborative team.
About Uniting WA
Uniting WA has been serving the WA community since 1829 and today is one of the State's major not-for-profit providers in mental health; disability, housing; homelessness; children services; family supports; foster care; family violence; prisoner reintegration; NDIS supports; recovery options and financial wellbeing services. We have more than 400 team members and hundreds of volunteers through the State. We work for a safer, brighter and better world for the people we support, and all of humanity.
About the role
The purpose of this position is to provide specialist therapeutic support, planning, intervention and advisory services to program staff supporting children and caregivers within Children's Services. While the focus is on care/behavioural/safety planning, this role will also provide and support others to provide direct specialist therapeutic services to programs as requested. The role also includes the delivery of therapeutic training to care givers with the Children's Services Programs, including but not limited to induction, TCI training, therapeutic parenting and self-care.
Key responsibilities:

Guide & develop a team (including both employees and volunteers) in the delivery of therapeutic services across the Children & Young People space.
Demonstrate authentic leadership through direct work and role modelling in therapeutic practice which is adaptable, flexible and based on individual needs of the child/ren.
Conduct effective and supportive reviews of individual safety and risk plans for young people across the service.
Identify program safety and wellness concerns and manage the implementation of solutions and self-care plans for team members.
Develop and implement regular and effective reflective communities of practice to ensure team members are supported, developed and motivated in the delivery of quality therapeutic services.
Provide training to team members to build capability in the delivery of therapeutic services including Therapeutic Crisis Intervention.
Work alongside the young person's care team to consider how to best support their needs and the care team in providing therapeutic intervention strategies.
Provide incident and post-crisis response, reflection, and support with the care team and young person involved.
Ensure that professional practice standards and guidelines are met within the delivery of program/services.
Maintain effective and proactive relationships with key networks and agencies.
Assist both the Operations Lead and Senior Manager with contractual monitoring and reporting requirements for program/services.
Provide guidance and leadership to co-manage complex client cases.
Prepare written reports for internal and external reviews as required.
Participate in the emergency on-call roster, including collation of the Afterhours Report.
Exhibit excellent communication skills, extensive experience in report writing, assessments, and case planning skills.
Demonstrate strong interpersonal skills, with an emphasis on problem solving and conflict resolution skills.
Balance responsiveness and support in the role, including the flexibility to respond to matters as they arise.
Provide therapeutic consultation to Care teams as required.
Maintain strong situational awareness and the ability to respond accordingly.
Exhibit a resilient, confident, and determined approach to workplace challenges.
Be available to work flexible hours including evenings and/or weekends as required.
Think creatively and laterally depending upon circumstances.
Proven ability to provide effective coaching in a sensitive and well-considered manner.
Maintain appropriate case file notes/documentation as required.
Exhibit attention to detail and the ability to efficiently audit documentation to ensure alignment with the therapeutic milieu.
Have an appetite for learning and maintaining a contemporary skill set relevant to the role.
Possess robust knowledge in providing training, including the capacity to undertake TCI facilitator training.
Foster positive workplace culture and build appropriate therapeutic relationships across the service.
Exhibit strong computer literacy skills with proficiency in MS Office Suite.
Demonstrate the capability to build effective and high-performing teams.
Exhibit excellent time management and organizational skills.

Qualifications

Tertiary qualifications in psychology, social work or a recognized equivalent.
Current C Class Driver's Licence.
Current National Police Clearance.
Current Working with Children Check.
Current First Aid Certificate.
Substantial previous experience working at senior level in Child Protection or child-related roles.
Specialist level knowledge of theories and practice relating to child development, child protection, family interventions and out of home care.
Extensive experience in the provision of therapeutic supervision and support to a multi-disciplinary team.
Sound knowledge of the current funding environment.
Experience in the development and delivery of training particularly in relation to the delivery of therapeutic training.
Extensive understanding of the impact of trauma and therapeutic practice.
Experience in statutory child protection, managing complex child protection cases, and/or out of home care at a senior practitioner level.
Experience in working with Indigenous and CALD families.
High level of experience in liaising with other agencies and representing the organization in sector forums.
Experience in the research and/or evaluation of Human Services.
Extensive understanding of the Children's Services Act 2004 and other legislation.
As a not-for-profit Uniting WA is authorized to offer salary packaging, allowing you to receive some of your income tax-free
5 weeks of annual leave available pro-rata for permanent employees
Discounted health care with HBF or Medibank Private.
Free support and counselling services via our Employee Assistance Program
On-the-job learning and supported professional development

The Uniting Team
Uniting WA is the community services arm of the Uniting Church of Western Australia. We welcome all people regardless of ethnicity, faith, age, culture, language, gender identity or sexual orientation. We're proud to support thousands of West Australians every year. Applications from First Nations People, people with lived experience, people with disability and people from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse backgrounds and mature-aged workers are encouraged.
Next steps
Please apply through the seek website and provide a current resume and covering letter demonstrating your experience and suitability for the role.
Your application will include the following questions:

Which of the following statements best describes your right to work in Australia?
Do you have a current Police Check (National Police Certificate) for employment?
Do you have a current Working With Children (WWC) Check?
Which of the following First Aid accreditations do you currently hold?
Do you have a current Australian driver's licence?
Do you have a tertiary qualification in psychology, social work or a recognized equivalent?

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