Parent-Child Interaction Coach (Karitane)
POSITION TITLE: Parent-Child Interaction Coach (PCIC)
DEPARTMENT: Community Programs, Village Connect
CLASSIFICATION: Dependent on current qualifications: Occupational Therapy, Psychology, Social Work or Nursing
VACCINATION CATEGORY: A
RESPONSIBLE TO: Program Lead and Systems Navigator and clinically to PICHMS Manager
OPERATIONAL BASE: Campbelltown / Fairfield (travel across Southwest Sydney)
STATUS: 24 hrs per week, contract ends Jan 2026 (with potential for extension)
** Secondment available for NSW health or Karitane staff, maintaining health benefits and accruals.
** Capacity to negotiate working hours
ABOUT VILLAGE CONNECT:
Village Connect is a pilot project funded by Department of Communities and Justice to support people 25years or younger, pregnant or parenting, living in SouthWest Sydney. Karitane provide child and family health and wellbeing support alongside partnering organisations including Uniting who provide access to a Key worker and Sonder who provide 24/7 app-based support for health, wellbeing and emergencies. The team includes Health Education officers, Aboriginal staff, Family coach (nurse), Clinical Lead, Administrator and Program Lead, Systems Navigator.
ABOUT YOU:
In this role, you'll provide a range of support for parents and children, from primary to tertiary levels, focusing on toddlers and school-age children. Key responsibilities include:
- Building strong connections with children, families, and community stakeholders.
- Boosting parents’ confidence and capacity, enhancing health and developmental outcomes.
- Working in various settings, such as offices, community spaces, and family homes.
- Supporting families with complex psychosocial needs in diverse cultural and socio-economic backgrounds within the SWS community.
PRIMARY FUNCTION & PURPOSE
The main responsibility of this role is delivering evidence-based interventions to families with children who are experiencing difficulties with behaviour and emotional regulation. It supports a continuum of care model, offering activities like drop-in to groups, individual coaching, formal parenting psychoeducation and access to Parent-Child Interaction Therapy in a clinic when suitable.
The role also includes assisting with referrals, contributing to family management plans, handling complex cases, and supporting the team. Clinicians actively engage in community initiatives, building relationships and promoting collaboration between services. The position offers a diverse workload, combining community outreach and clinic-based work, along with clinical supervision and ongoing professional development.
KEY SELECTION CRITERIA (Each criteria must be addressed in your cover letter):
- AHPRA registration as a Clinical Psychologist, Psychologist, Social Worker, Occupational Therapist, or Registered Nurse, with a relevant degree eligible for professional association membership.
- Psychologists must have full registration; Clinical Psychologists must have an endorsement in Clinical Psychology or a Master’s degree (or higher) in Clinical or Counselling Psychology.
- Registered Nurses must have at least 5 years of post-registration experience and approved qualifications in perinatal, infant, or child mental health.
- Experience using evidence-based interventions for supporting children’s behavior (training in courses like Circle of Security, Tuning Into Kids, Bringing Up Great Kids is a bonus).
- Training and experience in Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) or willingness to undertake PCIT training with Karitane, with ongoing support and supervision.
- Passion for working holistically with parents and families, building on their strengths and resources.
- Understanding of parent, infant/children mental health, and intergenerational trauma.
- Ability to collaborate effectively with partner organisations in the community.
- Experience working with diverse families, including CALD, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, and socially or geographically isolated groups.
- Highly developed interpersonal, organisational, and communication skills (both written and verbal).
** People with lived experience of being a young parent, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are encouraged to apply to join the Village Connect team.
HOW TO APPLY:
To apply, email your resume and a cover letter to:[email protected]
For further information or a confidential discussion, please contact: Jo Ubilla (Program Lead, Systems Navigator) on: 0448 145 187
Close date: Monday 24th February, 2024
To learn more about the Village Connect program visit our website: https://karitane.com.au/village-connect
And program offerings pages: https://karitane.com.au/parent-courses