Therapeutic Specialist - PAST Program

Why Work at SASS?

At Sexual Assault Support Service (SASS), you’ll join a specialist, trauma-informed service dedicated to supporting victim-survivors of sexual assault and their families. Every day, your expertise helps break cycles of harm and foster recovery in a safe, respectful environment.

Our commitment to creating a safer, more supportive community is at the heart of everything we do.

We value diversity, inclusion, and professional growth - offering ongoing training in therapeutic interventions, external clinical supervision, flexible work arrangements, and a supportive team culture. Your skills and dedication can help shape a future where support is accessible, prevention is prioritised, and advocacy drives meaningful change in a sector that makes a real and lasting difference. If you’re passionate about making a real difference, we’d love to hear from you.

The Prevention Assessment Support and Treatment (PAST) program specifically supports children and young people under the age of 18 years, who have engaged in inappropriate, problematic and/or harmful sexual behaviour (HSB). The PAST program involves a broad scope of work with young people who may present with complex trauma, neurodiversity, learning disorders, disabilities and other complex behaviours or presentations. The PAST Program is run in collaboration with Mission Australia statewide.

The Therapeutic Specialist – PAST Program will be working directly with children, young people and their families to provide support and therapeutic interventions around inappropriate, problematic and/or harmful sexual behaviour (HSB). HSB occurs for a variety of reasons, and it is the role of therapeutic specialist to assess the origins of the behaviour to allow for targeted planning, support and intervention. 

Essential
• Degree in counselling, social work or psychology or similar with eligibility for membership of the relevant professional association (AHPRA, APS, ACA, AASW or PACFA)
• Have a minimum of two years professional experience working in a counselling/therapeutic setting and/or experience working with victim-survivors of sexual harm and have an understanding of associated concerns and presentations.
• Have knowledge and experience in working with children and young people in the areas of neurodiversity, complex trauma, disability and/or family therapy
• Have professional experience working with children, young people and their families, who have experienced trauma.
• Are dedicated to applying child-safe practices and fostering a respectful, inclusive environment for children, young people, and their families
• Are a skilled clinician with a knowledge of, and experience in, a broad range of trauma informed therapies, having worked with people who have experienced trauma
• Understanding of issues associated with sexual assault and a commitment to social justice and systems that support child safety.
• A sound understanding of relevant mandated reporting and risk response legislation
• A sound understanding of an ethical practice framework
• A National Police Check and Working with Vulnerable People Registration
• Computer literacy, including the ability to operate a Client Management System/database and the Microsoft Office Suite.

Desirable
• Relevant post-graduate qualification.
• Knowledge, skills or experience in working with children and young people who have displayed problematic or harmful sexual behaviours, as well as their families and associated supports.
• Training/experience in working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people; people with disabilities; children and young people with neurodiversity, members of CALD communities; and/or male clients
• Current driver’s license

Selection Criteria

The following knowledge, skills, and experience are required for the position of Therapeutic Specialist – PAST Program

1. Knowledge, understanding and experience working with children, young people and/or families around sexual assault, trauma and/or harmful sexual behaviours, and understanding how this may impact on young people’s lives.

2. Knowledge and experience of relevant, evidence-based assessment, case management and counselling approaches including responses to trauma and experience in crisis or general counselling work.

3. Experience in working with diverse communities including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, LGBTQIA+, migrants and members of culturally, linguistically diverse communities, neurodiversity or people with disability.

4. Demonstrated experience and willingness to work within a multidisciplinary team, as well as with external stakeholders, to meet both client and organisational needs. 

5. Sound time management skills as well as demonstrated ability to work autonomously, exercise initiative and manage competing priorities. 

6. Knowledge and understanding of frameworks of ethical practice; confidentiality; the requirements of mandatory reporting; and relevant state and national legislation.

7. Well-developed written and verbal communication skills including presentation and report writing skills and the use of computing platforms such as Word, Excel and Outlook 

8. Ability to maintain boundaries and integrity in relationships with clients and external stakeholders.