Welcome to Lutheran Care. We are an energetic, forward thinking, not for profit organisation, providing support to people who need it most. Our current programs include emergency relief, financial counselling, family support and education, community support, foster care, housing and family shelter, homelessness services and refugee services.

We have an exciting opportunity for a Therapeutic Practitioner with qualifications in Social Work or a related discipline to join our Foster Care team to provide intensive therapeutic support to vulnerable families in our Specialist Foster Care Program. Our Specialist Care Program offers trauma, attachment and disability informed specialist family-based care to children and young people with complex needs, who require a higher level of care than generalist foster care.

This is where you come in!

This role will work closely with the Specialist Care Team Leader to provide intensive support to the Specialist Care Program, in addition to working closely with the Therapeutic Support Lead to contribute to consistent therapeutic practice development across the wider Foster Care Services Program. Skills and ability to work remotely with limited supervision, undertake travel for regular home visits with foster carers and to other locations for intra and interagency meetings is required, as well as working outside normal office hours.

In this role, you will:

• Maintain an in-depth knowledge of trauma-responsive practice, the effects of trauma and attachment on child development and the impacts on behaviour in relation to children and young people in care.
• Maintain commitment to an outcome-based approach, including reducing and eliminating restrictive practices and improved quality of life for all.
• Contribute to the development of trauma-responsive organisational policies, procedures and program structures.
• Contribute to the development of the organisation’s therapeutic practice model, including therapeutic practice tools, training and resources.
• Provide consultation and support to case workers and teams regarding reflective practice, applying evidence-based therapeutic practice approaches, developing Growth Action Plans and responding intentionally to the wellbeing needs of children and families.

Some out of hours work required.  

Required Qualifications, Skills, Knowledge, Experience: 

• Tertiary qualifications in a Health Professional, Social Work or related discipline.
• Sound knowledge of trauma-responsive practice, the effects of trauma and attachment on child development and impacts on behaviour in relation to children and young people in care.
• Working knowledge of common developmental disabilities and challenges impacting children and young people.
• Advanced skills in providing intensive trauma-informed support to families caring for children with complex needs.

Sound knowledge of the foster care system and issues facing foster carers.

Salary Packaging:

We offer a competitive remuneration plus salary packaging. The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) allows Public Benevolent Institutions (PBI), such as Lutheran Care, to offer special tax concessions. Through salary packaging, these concessions allow employees to increase their take-home pay.

To Apply:

For details about Lutheran Care, please refer to our website at www.lutherancare.org.au. You can also check us out on our Lutheran Care Facebook page.

For a copy of the Job Description, please click on the ‘Download a Job Description’ section at the top of this page.

For any queries regarding this position, please contact Jess Wagner, Therapeutic Support Lead/ Practitioner, 0436 122 198 or jwagner@lutherancare.org.au.

All applications must include a Cover Letter and current Resume. Only applications submitted Via Seek, will be accepted. 

This is an exciting opportunity to join a great team environment, within a progressive, customer-focused organisation. 

The successful applicant will be required to undergo a NDIS Workers Screening Check, a DHS Working With Children Check, a National Police clearance as well as a current Safe Environments for Children & Young People certificate. You must hold a current and unrestricted South Australian Drivers License and possess a registered roadworthy vehicle available for work use (employees reimbursed for work travel). In addition, the successful applicant will be required to provide evidence of COVID-19 vaccination or a medical exemption. 

Lutheran Care is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds and those from culturally diverse communities. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants are encouraged to apply.