About us

Acorn Charitable Trust is an interdisciplinary centre for neurodiverse children and youth. Our interdisciplinary team bring evidence-based practices from each of their fields to empower children to achieve what is important to them and their families. We believe that every person should be celebrated as an individual and that differences should be embraced. We strive to recognise an individual’s strengths and understand what is important to them and their family. We develop supports that will empower each individual to advocate for themselves, lead a meaningful life and thrive in their community.

The role

We are looking for a behaviour therapist to join our North Shore team. The exact number of hours per week is flexible. Acorn therapists are responsible for implementing therapy programmes as part of our Early-Years and School-Aged Programmes. You will provide one-to-one, child-led therapy to neurodiverse clients at our centre or at the client’s home or educational setting. All therapy programmes will be developed and overseen by a Registered Psychologist. Programmes may focus on any of the following areas depending on the needs and preferences of the client:

• Language and communication

• Play & leisure skills

• Social relationships

• Personal independence

• Cognitive and academic skills

• Reducing behavioural barriers

Tasks & responsibilities

• Building and maintaining a strong rapport with clients and their whānau.

• Developing professional relationships with colleagues, supervisors, external professionals (e.g. teachers, MoE/MoH professionals).

• Implementing one-to-one therapy programmes with psychologist supervision.

• Recording data on client progress using HiRasmus data collection software.

• Communicating regularly with the supervising psychologist.

• Attend weekly all-staff meetings

• Attend regular progress meetings for each client with the supervising psychologist, client, whānau and therapy team.

Key skills and qualifications

• Experience working with neurodiverse children.

• Excellent organisation and communication skills.

• Ability to have fun!

• An undergraduate degree in psychology or education is required.

• Knowledge and experience in learning and behaviour is an asset but not a requirement.

• You must be organised, responsible, patient, enthusiastic, creative and a fast thinker.

• It is also important for you to have strong play and communication skills with a variety of ages.

• You will be receptive to feedback and eager to learn.

Other requirements

• Clearance from a criminal record check.

• NZ driver’s licence.

• NZ permanent residency/citizenship or valid NZ work visa.

• Availability after school hours a minimum of 3 days per week on the North Shore of Auckland.

Benefits

• Initial Acorn therapist training.

• 40-hour Registered Behaviour Technician (RBT) training.

• Ongoing training and supervision from a Psychologist.

• Regular in-house training from our interdisciplinary team.

• The opportunity to work collaboratively with other disciplines.

• Make a lasting difference in the lives of children and their families!

Please send an updated CV to admin@acornautism.co.nz with “Occupational Therapist Application” in the subject line.