Therapeutic Specialist (CYF) - Full-Time Permanent - QLD

Therapeutic Specialist – Child, Youth & Family (QLD)

Full Time | Permanent | Remote – Queensland (SE QLD preferred)

Make a lasting difference in the lives of children and young people.

Are you passionate about trauma-informed care and helping children and young people achieve positive outcomes? Join Life Without Barriers as a Therapeutic Specialist, where you’ll support the delivery of high-quality therapeutic care across our Residential and SILs programs in Child, Youth & Family, Queensland.

In the Therapeutic Specialist role you’ll provide specialist practice support, training opportunities, consultation and practical strategies to support staff and teams in responding to the complex needs of children and young people who have experienced trauma, abuse, neglect and family separation.

About the Role

As our Therapeutic Specialist, you’ll play a key role in strengthening therapeutic practice across our Queensland services. You’ll work collaboratively with staff, teams and external stakeholders to promote emotional, behavioural and social development, helping children and young people feel safe, supported and understood.

This position will support our Residential Care, SILS and Youth Justice programs across Queensland, with travel to regional locations, including North Queensland, required. We currently operate programs in Mackay, with potential to expand our services into Townsville, Cairns and Rockhampton in the future.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Developing, reviewing and supporting the implementation of Behaviour Management Plans including Risk Assessments and Individual Crisis Support Plans.
• Providing therapeutic consultation, guidance and practical strategies to staff and teams.
• Supporting reflective practice and helping care teams understand behaviours, triggers and trauma-related needs.
• Promoting the consistent application of and training of the CARE model and Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) frameworks.
• Contributing to care team meetings, assessments and individualised planning.
• Collaborating with Child Safety and other stakeholders to improve outcomes for children and young people.
• Developing preventative strategies to reduce placement breakdown and strengthen placement stability.
• Supporting continuous improvement in therapeutic care and practice across our services.

About You

You’re a collaborative and thoughtful practitioner who understands the impact of complex trauma on children and young people, particularly those in out-of-home care. You can translate therapeutic knowledge into practical strategies that empower staff and carers to provide consistent, responsive and child-centred care.

To be successful, you will bring:

• A bachelor’s degree in psychology, Social Work, Occupational Therapy, Mental Health Nursing or another relevant discipline.
• Experience in therapeutic care or a clinical environment supporting children and young people in out-of-home care.
• Knowledge of child development, complex trauma and trauma-informed practice.
• Experience using evidence-based assessment tools to inform therapeutic planning and interventions.
• Strong relationship-building skills and the ability to work collaboratively with a range of stakeholders.
• Excellent communication, report-writing and organisational skills, including the ability to manage competing priorities.

Benefits

• Permanent, full-time opportunity.
• Remote working arrangement, with South East Queensland preferred.
• Salary packaging benefits through our not-for-profit organisation.
• Ongoing learning and professional development opportunities.
• The opportunity to influence therapeutic practice and improve outcomes for children and young people across Queensland.

Ready to Make a Difference?

If you’re passionate about trauma-informed therapeutic care and want to help shape positive outcomes for children and young people, we’d love to hear from you.

Please note: Appointment is subject to satisfactory probity checks, including relevant criminal history and Working with Children checks.

How to Apply

Include your resume and a cover letter in one document and click Apply.

For confidential enquiries or if you require adjustments during the recruitment process, please contact Joelene at [email protected], quoting Therapeutic Specialist - QLD

Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and the vacancy may close earlier than the advertised closing date. The current closing date is midnight Wednesday 4 November 2026.

About the Organisation

Life Without Barriers is a leading social purpose organisation working in more than 400 communities across Australia. We partner with people to change lives for the better.

Our work is guided by our values of being Responsive, Imaginative, Courageous, Respectful and Relationships. We are committed to creating safe, inclusive environments where children, young people and the people we support can thrive.

Bachelor's degree in psychology, social work, occupational therapy, mental health nursing or related; experience in therapeutic care or clinical environment with children in out-of-home care; knowledge of child development and trauma-informed practice; probity checks including criminal history and Working with Children check.

Key Responsibilities

• developing behavior plans
• providing therapeutic consultation
• supporting reflective practice

Job Details

• Category: Social Services
• Seniority: Mid Level
• Commitment: Full Time
• Workplace: Remote — Queensland, Australia
• Languages: English

About Life Without Barriers

A leading social purpose organisation working in over 400 communities across Australia to change lives for the better. — Industry: Non-Profit Organizations and NGOs