Assistant Director, Therapeutic Support in Canberra

The Assistant Director Therapeutic Support provides leadership, coordination and direct therapeutic support services to students with complex needs, ensuring a trauma-informed and student-centred approach is embedded across all areas of practice. Leading a small multidisciplinary team, the role is responsible for guiding therapeutic interventions, case management activities and collaborative support planning that enhances student wellbeing, engagement and educational outcomes. The position plays a critical role in fostering safe, inclusive and supportive learning environments where students can thrive.

Working at the intersection of education and therapeutic care, the Assistant Director Therapeutic Support brings a strong therapeutic lens to school-based practices and decision‑making. The role delivers targeted one-to-one support for students experiencing significant social, emotional, behavioural or developmental challenges, while partnering closely with educators, families, external agencies and community services to ensure coordinated and holistic support.

Drawing on contemporary trauma-informed principles, the position helps build the capability of school staff to understand and respond effectively to the impact of trauma and adversity on learning and behaviour. The Assistant Director Therapeutic Support provides expert case management oversight and serves as a key bridge between educational and therapeutic supports, ensuring students and families can access the right services at the right time.

Through collaborative leadership, evidence‑based practice and a commitment to positive student outcomes, the role contributes to the development of responsive support frameworks that strengthen student wellbeing, resilience and long‑term success. This role requires flexibility to work across multiple school sites and provide targeted support to students as required. The specific school location, student cohort, and length of placement may vary over time in response to service demands and organisational priorities.

Eligibility/Other requirements:

• Relevant tertiary qualifications in a therapeutic discipline such as Social Work, Psychology, Occupational Therapy or Speech Language Pathology, with eligibility for professional registration or membership where applicable.
• Prior to commencing this role, a current registration issued under the Working with Vulnerable People (Background Checking) Act 2011 is required.

This is a temporary position available immediately for a period of 12 months with the possibility of permanency. This position will be filled at either the SOGC or HP4 level, dependent on the skills and experience of the successful applicant. A Merit Pool will be established from this selection process and will be used to fill vacancies over the next 12 months.

The ACT public service is committed to closing the gap, underpinned by the belief that when Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have a genuine say in the design and delivery of policies, programs and services that affect them, better life outcomes are achieved.