Position Description
Role Title:
Clinical Care Manager
Incumbent:
Effective Date:
4th September 2015
Team:
Care Team
No of Direct
Reports:
3 (plus student placements)
Reports to:
Director of Care Services
Location:
Youth Resource and Administration Centre, 13 Adolph Street, East Richmond, 3121
Organisational Context
Lighthouse Foundation was established in 1991 to support the work of its founder Susan Barton AM, who had cared
for young people in her own home for 16 years. The Lighthouse Therapeutic Family Model of Care was developed
using the knowledge and experiences Susan gained in her extensive care of young people over many years.
Lighthouse Foundation offers an integrated model of therapeutic care and support for homeless young people who
come predominantly from a background of long term neglect and abuse. The success of Lighthouse depends on
the integrity of this model and its ability to deliver measurable outcomes for young people who are supported
through an intensive program of care.
The program provides a holistic and total environment of long-term care, with 24-hour, 7 days per week practical
and emotional support in a number of homes across Victoria, by professional Carers who act as therapeutic
parents, as well as a team of professionals based at the Youth Resource and Administration Centre who provide
case management support and long term psychotherapeutic programs.
Our Vision: ending youth homelessness together
Our Mission: to increase the availability of the Lighthouse Model of Care to homeless young people throughout
Australia
Our Values: Respect – Courage – Kindness
Primary Purpose & Function
This position fulfils a key function within Lighthouse Foundation. The key responsibility area of this senior role is
Clinical Governance as it relates to therapeutic programs and therapeutic interventions. This includes, but is not
limited to:
 Management of the Psychological Wellness Program
 Clinical governance over the over the day-to-day running of the Lighthouse Therapeutic Family Model of Care
 Regular clinical supervision of staff
 Psychological screening for all Lighthouse staff
 Design, implementation, and evaluation of clinical and care programs
The Clinical Care Manager (CCM) is responsible for the management and co-ordination of the Psychological Wellness
Program and is responsible to the Director of Care Services through regular supervision, meetings and monthly
reporting.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Responsibilities

Executes a Psychological Wellness Team Action Plan that flows directly out of the Care Services Action Plan
Clinical Care Manager – Position Description
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
To develop and maintain strategic partnerships in consultation with the Director of Care Services

Conduct workshops and presentations for the purpose of fundraising and networking to potential stakeholders
Clinical Governance
The Clinical Care Manager is responsible for ensuring that best practice principles are adhered to in the therapeutic
care of homeless young people, by ensuring that program integrity is maintained, through clinical governance and
management of the Psychological Wellness Service. This includes, but is not limited to:

Participation in Senior Care Team meeting

Oversee the assessment and placement of young people

Oversee psychological screening assessments of potential staff

Ensure child safety protocols, risk management, harm minimization and effective care management within
the Lighthouse Foundation philosophy are adhered to

Relevant documentation and policy initiatives for clinical crisis management, care programming and
adherence to the Lighthouse Foundation philosophy.

Management of crisis response process and clinical care intervention processes where required

Monitor the viability and clinical safety of personal development programs for young people

High level mediation and conflict resolution processes

Development and implementation of clinical care protocols and therapeutic interventions

Ensure that relevant psychometrics are utilized for assessment and research processes

In consultation with the Director Care Services, develop and amend, where necessary, current assessment
tools and processes

Participate as part of the care interview panel and provide relevant consultation on the selection for new care
staff

Network and maintain a significant Health Professional support base in support of young people
People Management Responsibilities

Role model a management style that is relationship driven and consistent with the Lighthouse Therapeutic
Family Model of Care™

Manage the Psychological Wellness Team and provide ongoing support, feedback, guidance and operational
supervision to clinicians

To oversee and/or provide regular clinical supervision to Carers, Senior Carers, Community Care Workers,
and Psychologists as appropriate

To oversee the development of Psychology Interns in their field placements and provide opportunity for
students to conduct psychological screening assessments on Community Members

Where necessary oversee and/or provide debriefing service for staff and young people following critical
incidents
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
Ensure awareness and compliance with best-practice principals among Carers, Senior Carers,
Psychologists, and Community Care Workers

Conduct staff Individual Evaluation and Development Plans (IEDP)

Address any concerns with Carer’s, Senior Carer’s, and Community Care Worker’s performance (in
collaboration with Residential and Community Care Manager) in a supportive, nurturing and timely manner
Psychotherapy

To provide limited in-house psychotherapy to Lighthouse young people as required

To develop and maintain links with external health care professionals and outsource relevant
psychotherapeutic services/individuals

To oversee management of therapeutic relationships between young people and their external therapists

To initiate new and maintain relevant clinical-care service networks
Training Responsibilities

Facilitation of training to Lighthouse Carers and Care Staff, to ensure that they have a clear understanding of
the Therapeutic Family Model of Care™ and related clinical practice in collaboration with the Lighthouse
Institute

To provide community information sessions when required
Problem Solving

To work closely with all Lighthouse stakeholders, particularly the Director of Care Services, Residential and
Community Care Manager, and Founder to ensure that the best practice principles are being adhered to in the
Learning and Development Program.

Advanced ability to invest in, maintain and work through relationship issues in an attachment and trauma
informed framework.

Advanced ability to act as a mediator in relational disputes within the Lighthouse Community.
Key Relationships (internal and external)

The Clinical Care Manager reports directly to Director of Care Services.

The Clinical Care Manager provides operational management to the Psychological Wellness Team and students
on placement.

The Clinical Care Manager sits on the Senior Care Team.

Strong working relationship with the Residential and Community Care Manager
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
Strong working relationship with members of the Senior Management team which include Marketing Manager,
Fundraising Manager, Finance Manager, Office Manager, Executive Director of Lighthouse Institute, and Founder.

Strong relationships with all Lighthouse stakeholders including Direct and Indirect Care staff, Volunteers,
Community Committees and other stakeholders, including the Department of Human Services.
Academic Qualifications
Essential
Desirable
Post graduate qualifications in Psychology or Social Work
Cert IV in Training and Assessment
Licenses/Certifications:
Psychologist Registration with the Psychologist Board of Australia
Membership to the Australian Psychological Society is desirable
Or
Approved degree in social work or other qualification approved for membership of
the Australian Association of Social Workers and appropriate post graduate
qualification in mental health.
Victorian Driver’s license
Working With Children Check
Training
Attachment and Object Relation Theory
Trauma Informed Practice
Therapeutic Care
Therapeutic Communities
Relevant Experience
Demonstrated management experience in the not for profit sector.
Demonstrated management experience in a clinical/therapeutic service/program,
including the provision of clinical supervision.
Demonstrated experience in the provision of therapy to young people with
backgrounds of abuse and neglect.
Demonstrated experience, skills and competencies in program development and
evaluation.
Essential Work Experience and Skills

Demonstrated understanding of the issues involved in working with young people who have experienced
abuse related trauma and neglect, and homelessness

Demonstrated understanding of trauma informed practice

Understanding of attachment and object relations theory

Understanding of therapeutic community models and/or therapeutic residential care

Demonstrated understanding of Lighthouse’s philosophy and a congruency with this

Willingness to commit to personal and professional development

Knowledge of relevant legislation, standards and policies and their implications for service design

Strong organisational skills and the ability to set priorities within the context of competing demands

Advanced IT skills
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
Demonstrated ability to work flexibly, independently and co-operatively in a dynamic workplace environment

Well-developed interpersonal, communication (verbal and written), networking and liaison skills
Authorities – Financial and People

Management responsibility of the Psychological Wellness Service, with direct reports from the Psychologists.
Incumbent
Director of Care Services
Signed ..................................................................
Signed......................................................................
Dated....................................................................
Dated .......................................................................
Note
The requirements and responsibilities contained in this job description do not create a contract of employment and are
not meant to be all-inclusive. They may be changed by the role manager during employment on an as required basis.
Any significant or material changes need to be discussed and agreed by incumbent and manager before inclusion.
The role description should be reviewed formally during the annual planning and performance assessment process.
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