SCHN - Senior Social Worker Child Protection Unit - REQ628070
Employment Type: Permanent Full-Time and Temporary Part-Time opportunities available up to 14 August 2026
Position Classification: Social Worker Lvl 3
Remuneration: 116892 - 120680 full time equivalent base salary range (excludes super, leave loading and salary packaging)
Hours Per Week: up to 38
Requisition ID: REQ628070
Location: Westmead
Applications Close: Midnight on 4 January 2026
Sydney Children's Hospitals Network is the largest paediatric health care entity in Australia. We care for thousands of children each year in our hospitals and in their homes — with one purpose in mind — to help young people live their healthiest lives.
This is an exciting opportunity for a Senior Social Worker to work in the Child Protection Unit. You will work alongside highly skilled multidisciplinary staff to support vulnerable children, young people and their families who have experienced abuse and/or neglect.
This position is uniquely placed as it is one of three Child Protection Units across the state and is based in Westmead Children’s Hospital, the largest paediatric centre in NSW. This service provides crisis response, assessment, consultation and ongoing sexual assault counselling.
The Child Protection Unit receives referrals for concerns such as:
Physical abuse
Sexual abuse
Problematic or Harmful Sexual Behaviour (PHSB) for children aged <10
Sexual assault counselling
Serious neglect
Fabricated and Induced Illness by carer (Munchausen by Proxy)
Other complex child protection and psychosocial issues
Skills and counselling both children and adults is desired. The successful applicant/s will be supported by an experienced multidisciplinary team, have access to supervision (group and individual) and access free training through the Education Centre Against Violence (ECAV) to broaden skills in providing therapeutic counselling.
The role requires willingness to participate in an on-call roster, including evenings, weekend and public holidays as rostered.
What you'll be doing
The social worker is part of a multidisciplinary team and involves service provision to children and families who have experienced Sexual Assault, Physical and Emotional Abuse and Neglect. The position provides crisis response, complex psychosocial assessment and short and medium term counselling. Participation in intake and the after-hours on-call roster is required. This is a clinical and consultative service to the Hospital and wider community of NSW. In this position there are also opportunities for teaching, research and project development
We’re looking for someone who:
- Eligibility for membership of the AASW.
- Demonstrated skills in counselling both children and adults.
- Knowledge of the dynamics of sexual assault and the implications for practice and counselling.
How to Apply
Click ‘Apply Online’ and submit your application including:
- A resume detailing relevant knowledge, skills and experience (maximum 5 pages)
- Answers to the selection criteria in the Position Description
Additional Benefits (for eligible employees)
- Salary packaging for tax savings
- Meal entertainment savings
- Accrued Day Off (ADO) for Full Time employees
- Access to the Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Fitness Passport
- Flexible Work Practice Opportunities
Need more information?
- Click here for the Position Description.
- Find out more about applying for this position
- Learn more about The Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network
- Aboriginal job applicants are encouraged to visit the NSW Health Aboriginal Recruitment tool, Stepping Up to assist in preparing your application.
Further Contacts and Support
For role related queries or questions contact Lauren Mcloughlin on lauren.mcloughlin@health.nsw.gov.au
We recognise the value of Aboriginal staff providing health care to Aboriginal children and families that access the services we provide at the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network. For Aboriginal candidates who would like to talk to SCHN’s Aboriginal Workforce Consultant, please contact SCHN-EA-AboriginalHealthDirectorate@health.nsw.gov.au
For technical support please contact the customer services team on 1300 679 367.
Child Safe Standards
SCHN is dedicated to fostering a child-safe environment that respects and upholds the rights of children and young people, aligned with NSW Health’s commitment to implementing the Child Safe Standards. We aim to ensure that children and young people feel safe, supported, and included in their care. All current and prospective staff are expected to prioritise the safety, welfare, and well-being of children and young people, actively working to protect them from harm and abuse.
Additional Information
Applicants will be assessed against the essential criteria in Position Description. Please ensure that you review this document to understand the full requirements of the role.
NSW Health is committed to accessibility and may provide adjustments to the recruitment and interview process as needed, including physical adjustments, interview setup, or scheduling needs.
SCHN is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values diversity - we acknowledge the vibrancy that a diverse workforce brings to enhance both our workplace culture and our service delivery to children, young people and their families and carers.
Employment of temporary visa holders is only considered if no suitable permanent resident or citizen is identified after labour market testing. Please note: To be eligible for permanent appointment to a position in NSW Health, you must have an Australian citizenship or permanent Australian residency.
All workers must meet NSW Health’s vaccination and screening requirements before starting employment. See PD2024_15 for more detail.
This position requires a Working with Children Check (WWCC) issued by the Office of the Children’s Guardian. For more information on how to apply for the clearance, please visit the Office of the Children’s Guardian Website
For roles that require formal qualifications, please note that overseas qualifications must be assessed by the Department of Education or the relevant authority appointed by the Australian Government for skilled migration purposes.
Eligibility List
An eligibility list may be created for future permanent full or part time and temporary full or part time vacancies.
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