Social Worker - Level 3 - PIPS
Use your clinical expertise to strengthen parent–infant relationships when it matters most.
Location: Wallsend
Employment Type: Temporary Part Time until July 2027
Position Classification: Social Worker Level 3
Remuneration: $58.95 - $60.86 per hour + 12% super + salary packaging
Hours Per Week: 24
Requisition ID: REQ641703
Applications Close: Sunday 22nd February 2026
Make a lasting difference at the very beginning.
The Program of Initial Parenting Support (PIPS) sits within the First Steps Parenting Centre, a specialist service dedicated to walking alongside first-time parents during one of life’s most significant transitions.
This Level 3 Social Work role partners closely with a Child and Family Health Nurse to deliver high-quality, evidence-based clinical care and case management to families navigating complex and intersecting challenges. These may include adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), maternal and infant mental health concerns, developmental delay, drug and alcohol issues, unsupported adolescent parenting, domestic and family violence, childhood trauma, or past DCJ involvement.
This is meaningful, relationship-based work at the earliest stage of a child’s life - where skilled intervention can positively shape long-term outcomes for both parent and infant.
About the Service
The PIPS service provides specialised, trauma-informed, parent–infant focused support to vulnerable first-time families. We work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary framework and maintain strong partnerships with community providers to ensure seamless, wrap-around care.
The PIPS program focuses on strengthening parent–infant attachment, improving parental confidence, and supporting families to safely navigate complex systems - always with a strengths-based, culturally responsive approach.
You’ll join a highly skilled, supportive team that values reflective practice, clinical excellence and genuine compassion.
About the Role
As a Level 3 Social Worker, you will:
- Provide advanced clinical assessment, counselling and case management to families experiencing complex vulnerabilities and child protection concerns
- Work both independently and collaboratively, exercising professional judgement in high-intensity situations
- Deliver evidence-based parenting interventions within a maternal and infant mental health framework
- Contribute to and facilitate therapeutic group programs such as Circle of Security, postnatal depression and anxiety groups, and toddler behaviour programs
- Support continuity of care through strong collaboration with multidisciplinary teams and community partners
- Mentor students and less experienced staff, contributing to professional growth within the team
This role offers autonomy, clinical depth, and the opportunity to practice at an advanced level while remaining connected to a supportive team environment.
About You
You are a confident and compassionate clinician who thrives in complex practice environments. You bring:
- A recognised Social Work qualification with eligibility for AASW membership and at least three years’ full-time clinical experience
- Demonstrated experience working with vulnerable families, particularly those with child protection involvement
- Strong clinical skills in maternal and infant mental health and working with families of children aged 0–5
- Experience delivering parenting interventions and facilitating therapeutic group programs
- The ability to manage competing priorities while maintaining professional boundaries and emotional resilience
- Excellent communication skills and the ability to adapt your approach to diverse families and stakeholders
Most importantly, you bring warmth, curiosity and a genuine commitment to strengthening families at the very beginning of their parenting journey.
Why Join Us?
- Work in a specialist early intervention service where your expertise truly matters
- Be part of a collaborative, multidisciplinary and highly experienced team
- Engage in meaningful, preventative work that creates lifelong impact
- Contribute to service development, planning and evaluation
If you’re passionate about trauma-informed, parent–infant focused practice and want to make a difference where it matters most - we’d love to hear from you.
Requirements:
- Must hold as a minimum a bachelor degree in social work which provides eligibility for membership of the Australian Association of Social Workers, or other qualification deemed equivalent by the employer.
- Eligibility to drive in NSW and a willingness to travel
What we offer
At Hunter New England Local Health District (HNELHD), enjoy a career where you're challenged by interesting work and surrounded by spectacular locations.
Join the team enriching health in millions of ways every day:
- Sustainable Healthcare: Together towards zero
- Proximity to shopping and other services
- Salary packaging options
- Fitness Passport
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for staff and family members
- Opportunity to work and collaborate with a range of non-clinical and clinical professionals
Additional Information:
- To be eligible for permanent employment in this position you must be an Australian Citizen, or a permanent resident of Australia, or a New Zealand citizen with a current New Zealand Passport. Employment of a temporary visa holder may only occur if no suitable local candidate is identified for the position; in this instance, you may only be offered employment in line with the conditions and expiry date of your visa.
- An eligibility list will be created for future permanent part time and temporary part time vacancies.
- We are unable to accommodate visa sponsorship for applicants requiring a visa for this position.
How to apply:
Click apply online, submit your information and resume, and address the criteria listed below providing examples that demonstrate your ability.
1. Demonstrated ability to independently problem-solve and apply professional and ethical boundaries when working with complex situations as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
2. Demonstrated knowledge and experience providing parenting interventions to vulnerable parents within the context of parent and infant mental health and adjusting to parenthood; and demonstrate the ability to prioritise this caseload.
Need more information?
1) Click here for the Position Description
2) Find out more about applying for this position
For role related queries or questions contact Susan Darby on Susan.Darby@health.nsw.gov.au
Information for Applicants:
Applicants will be assessed against the essential requirements and selection criteria contained within the position description (link below). For assistance addressing selection criteria visit: https://bit.ly/3vL5fq2
Stepping Up Website is a resource designed to help indigenous job applicants apply for positions in NSW Health. For more information, please visit: https://bit.ly/HNEHealthSteppingUp
This is a Category A position. Recommended applicants will be reviewed for compliance with NSW Health policy directive PD2024_015: Occupational Assessment, Screening and Vaccination against Specified Infectious Diseases for Category A positions prior to offer. All new employees must agree to comply with the requirements outlined in the policy.
