Forensic Behaviour Support Practitioner

“What I love about being a Behaviour Support Practitioner with ACSO is that the work we do is person-centred and tailored to each client’s individual support needs. This is achieved through small caseloads, supportive leadership, a great culture, and access to incredible professional development opportunities! The team is inclusive and knowledgeable- if you have a tough case someone will always jump in and provide support and ideas.”

Is this you?

• Develop and specialise your skills in working with high-risk complex clients, offending behaviour, clinical assessment, and therapeutic interventions
• Perfect for Behaviour Support Clinician, Psychologists, Provisional Psychologists, OTs, ABA therapists!
• Work from home on a flexible schedule that suits you

At ACSO, we look for people who believe in second chances, who share our values and are passionate about supporting forensic clients to re integrate back into the community. If this sounds like you, read on!

What ACSO can offer you

• Full time, permanent position available.
• $91,000 – 95,500 base salary + 11% superannuation + NFP salary packaging options (more after tax $ in your pocket!)
• Annual leave loading of 17.5%

• Phone, laptop, provisions to help set you up at home and access to fleet vehicles
• Learning and development opportunities, including a dedicated training budget towards your PD goals, PLUS clinical supervision, group supervision with an industry specialist in Forensic Psychology, case reviews, dedicated in house training suite in complex presentations, risk assessment and management, compulsory treatment, ASSIST, MHFA, Trauma informed practice, personality disorders and more
• Flexible working arrangements – this role works on a hybrid model, attending one of ACSO’s hubs at least once per month (located in Metropolitan Melbourne or Bendigo), and visiting clients on a schedule that suits you and your lifestyle! Includes options for an accrued day off or compressed hours

“The support provided to me and flexibility of the work in Clinical Services means that I can be my best self both inside and outside of work!”

• Career progression opportunities – Leadership development programs and coaching, supervision training, opportunities for internal consultancy or secondments to other programs, and training to progress to Authorised Program Officer (APO)
• Wellbeing initiatives such as free flu vaccines, wellbeing and professional development vouchers, Employee Assistance Program and Reward and Recognition Program. Our employees matter!
• Dedicated inclusion and diversity initiatives to support employees from all backgrounds and dispositions, including specialised leave for cultural ceremonies or gender affirmation.

This role has previously been approved by AHPRA for the 4+2 or 5+1 pathway to registration as a psychologist, we currently have team members undertaking this pathway.

This role carries many of the traditional responsibilities of an Occupational Therapy or Psychology role. For the right candidate, we can discuss adding in additional duties that may be of interest that are not currently covered in the PD if desired.

About Us

The Australian Community Support Organisation (ACSO) is a vibrant, values driven NFP, focused on partnering with Government and the community to co-design services that create real social change. We are an organisation with a bold vision to create a safe and inclusive community where prison truly is the last resort. Our purpose is to strengthen the wellbeing of our communities by advocating for and delivering services which divert people away from the justice system.

The Australian Community Support Organisation recognises the right to a safe and inclusive service without bias. ACSO is committed to the equitable treatment of its participants, employees and partners. We believe in humanity and celebrating the diverse voices of our community through leadership, practice and policy design, to honour and embrace diverse traditions, cultures and experiences of those we support and work alongside.

About the role

Reporting to the Team Leader of Clinical Services, under their general direction, the Forensic Behaviour Support Clinician is part of a small, supportive, multi-disciplinary team of Behaviour Support Practitioners, Senior Behaviour Support Practitioners, OTs and Psychologists that deliver a specialised and best-practice state-wide service/s to high-risk clients with multiple and complex needs.

The Forensic Behaviour Support Clinician will be expected to work closely with ACSO’s Forensic Residential Services Team Leaders/ Program Managers, residential staff and NDIS support services, to assess the function of a client’s behaviours of concern or offending behaviour, develop treatment plans/ behaviour support plans to address clients’ needs/risks, deliver therapeutic intervention and evaluate the effectiveness of these plans for the person and the overall service.

Most importantly, Forensic Behaviour Support Clinicians are responsible for overseeing the use and reduction of restrictive intervention with high-risk complex clients in the community, while concurrently reducing their risk of re-offending and improving their overall quality of life.

This role offers an exciting opportunity to develop and specialise your skills in working with complex clients, offending behaviour and compulsory treatment orders. The team are friendly, fun, professional, supportive and inclusive and the leaderships team value your insights, knowledge, innovation and want to support you to professionally thrive.

What we’re looking for

• Minimum tertiary qualification in an area relevant to behaviour change (Psychology, Applied Behaviour Analysis, Social Work, Occupational Therapy, Speech Pathology)
• Experience working with complex clients in a clinical capacity
• Experience undertaking clinical assessments, report writing, and treatment planning
• Highly developed communication and interpersonal skills including the ability to provide sound clinical advice, training, client advocacy and consultancy services
• Ability to navigate and work effectively in complex care teams and multidisciplinary teams
• Self-motivated with the ability to work effectively both autonomously and as part of a team under the direction of a supervisor in a hybrid environment
• Strong focus on human rights and an ability uphold high ethical standards within legislative frameworks
• Motivation for continuous improvement and learning, with a focus on keeping up to date with current evidence-based practices

Desirable but not Essential

• Meet NDIS capability standards for a core behaviour support clinician level or above

• Experience providing Positive Behaviour Support or Applied Behaviour Analysis to clients
• Demonstrated experience in Functional Behaviour Assessment and behaviour support planning
• Sound working knowledge of NDIS processes, including those specific to behaviour support
• Experience and knowledge in working with offending behaviour, complex behaviour and risk management principles

How to Apply

If you think you’d be a great fit – we’d love to hear from you!

To apply and view the position description (PD), please visit our careers website and provide a copy of your resume, a brief covering letter and a document outlining responses to the selection criteria found in the PD.

As ACSO is an NDIS provider, the successful candidate must hold an NDIS Worker Screening Check Clearance before they commence employment in this position.

To learn more about this position, please contact Sofie Parle – Senior Manager, Clinical Services, on 0408 813 512.

Applications may close early if a suitable candidate is found sooner, so we recommend applying early!

ACSO proudly acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as Australia’s first peoples and pay respect to their rich culture, lores, customs and elders past and present. We strongly embrace the spirit of reconciliation and continue working towards ensuring an equal voice of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, particularly those who have been touched by the justice system.

ACSO recognises the right to a safe and inclusive service without bias and aims to provide a safe working environment, one which seeks to protect those affected by domestic and family violence and holds those who may use domestic and family violence to account, whilst supporting positive behaviour change.

ACSO embraces diversity within its workforce and encourages applications from appropriately qualified and skilled people regardless of their background. All suitable applicants for this role will be considered regardless of age, ability, race, gender expression, sex, cultural background, spiritual beliefs or lived experience.