Assessment Officer - Child Wellbeing Unit

Employment Type: Temporary Full Time until June 2027
Position Classification: Health Manager Level 1
Remuneration: $87,813 - $116,824 Per Annum + 12% Superannuation + Salary Packaging 
Hours Per Week: 38
Requisition ID: REQ663860
Location: Wallsend Health Campus
Closing Date: Sunday 14 June 2026

Whilst this position is open to all individuals, it is targeted to Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people under section 21 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977. Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people are encouraged to apply and consideration will be given to suitable Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander applicants to promote equal or improved access. Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander applicants must demonstrate Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander status in addition to addressing the selection criterion. 

Join the Child Wellbeing Unit at Wallsend — where compassion, expertise and collaboration come together.

About the Role: 

We are seeking Assessment OAicers to join the Child Wellbeing Unit within the Violence Abuse and Neglect (VAN) service at Wallsend. This small, highly eAective team operates seamlessly as a single unit, working with purpose to provide expert guidance and deliver exceptional outcomes for vulnerable children and families. In this role, you will support health care professionals to identify child protection risks and develop tailored responses. You’ll assess whether reports are required to the Child Protection Helpline, help plan interventions and additional services, facilitate information exchange, and liaise with external agencies to ensure the best possible outcomes.

In this role, you'll: 

• Guide health staff in identifying and addressing child protection risks and vulnerabilities. 
• Assess when formal reports to the Child Protection Helpline are required.
• Assist with planning interventions and coordinating additional support services. 
• Assist health workers in providing an integrated response to Domestic and Family Violence.
• Facilitate safe and effective information exchange across relevant agencies.
• Work collaboratively as part of a dedicated and experienced team.

About You: 

You are compassionate, confident and skilled in evaluating child protection concerns. You have the ability to provide expert advice, coach clinicians, and manage competing priorities in a demanding environment.

You must have: 

• Strong knowledge of child wellbeing and child protection issues.
• Confidence in assessing risk and guiding appropriate responses.
• Excellent communication skills to support and coach health care professionals.
• The ability to thrive in a collaborative team environment while managing high workloads.

Why Join the Child Wellbeing Unit? 

This role offers the chance to make a meaningful impact in a supportive, professional environment. You’ll benefit from: 

• Orientation tailored to your skills and experience.
• Ongoing, focused training opportunities relevant to child protection. 
• Regular professional and clinical supervision. 
• Team gatherings, clinical meetings, and opportunities for consultation. 
• A culture of knowledge-sharing and peer support within a close-knit, effective team.

This is more than a role - it’s an opportunity to apply your expertise to contribute to the ongoing care and protection of children, support clinicians, and work alongside a team dedicated to making a real difference.

What you'll be doing

Information for Applicants:

“This is a targeted recruitment under Rule 26 of the Government Sector Employment (General) Rules 2014 where only Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people are considered eligible to apply for this role.” 

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 B 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 B positions prior to offer. All new employees must agree to comply with the requirements outlined in the policy. 

Salary Packaging: is beneficial to most Hunter New England Health employees and may increase your take-home pay! Salary package a range of personal expenses including novated motor vehicle leases, relocation expenses, and HECS/HELP debt. Find out more by contacting SalaryPackagingPLUS! via nswhealth@salarypackagingplus.com.au or 1300 40 25 23.

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. 

We are unable to accommodate visa sponsorship for applicants requiring a visa for this position.   

At Hunter New England Local Health District, we are an inclusive employer dedicated to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and welcoming workplace.  Our commitment to a workforce that reflects the community we care for is essential for delivering the highest quality healthcare to our community. We encourage people with diverse lived experiences to apply. If you require any accommodations or adjustments to the recruitment process please let us know when you apply or at any stage of the process. We will work with you to meet your needs and create the best possible experience. Please contact hnelhd-diversity@health.nsw.gov.au for confidential support to ensure an equitable, barrier-free application process.

Hunter New England Health employees may be eligible for a range of benefits such as allocated days off (ADO) for full time employees, long service leave, paid maternity leave, and salary packaging options including meal expenses. 

An eligibility list will be created for future temporary full or part time vacancies.  

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