Social Worker / Psychologist - Counsellor - Children, Young People and Families
Help shape brighter futures—support children and families where care meets community on the stunning Mid-North Coast.
Remuneration: $37.03 - $57.10 per hour + super
Employment Type: Temporary Part Time until December 2025
Position Classification: Psychologist or Social Worker Level 1/2
Location: Forster Community Health Service
Hours Per Week: 24
Requisition ID: REQ587356
Applications Close: Monday, 21st July 2025
Join our dedicated Counselling Team within the Children, Young People and Families Service, based at Forster Community Health. In this temporary role, you’ll have the opportunity to work across the beautiful Lower Mid-North Coast region, delivering vital support to children, young people and their families. As part of a passionate and collaborative multi-disciplinary team, you’ll play a key role in improving wellbeing and creating positive change in the community.
About the role:
As part of the Children, Young People and Families Service, you’ll deliver targeted, evidence-based support to children, young people and their families across the Lower Mid North Coast. Your work will include intake, assessment, planning and implementation of tailored therapeutic interventions—ranging from individual therapy to group programs. You’ll engage with clients in a variety of settings, including Community Health centres, schools, homes and community spaces, with some outreach required.
Working as part of a multi-disciplinary team, you’ll collaborate closely with internal and external partners to ensure coordinated, high-quality care. You'll also play a key role in identifying and responding to child wellbeing and protection concerns in line with legislative and policy requirements. In this dynamic role, you’ll contribute to service planning and quality improvement initiatives, maintain accurate clinical records, and commit to ongoing professional development to ensure your practice remains current and effective.
You’ll join a supportive Counselling team and the broader Paediatric Allied Health Team within the Children, Young People and Families Service. From day one, you’ll receive a thorough orientation and ongoing training to help you succeed in the role. We’re committed to your growth and wellbeing, offering regular monthly clinical supervision, access to internal and external development opportunities, and support to meet all mandatory education requirements.
About you:
We’re looking for a compassionate and experienced clinician with a strong foundation in providing therapeutic support to children, young people, and their families. You’ll bring demonstrated skills in assessment, intervention, and outcome evaluation, along with a clear understanding of the legal and policy frameworks governing child protection in NSW. Your ability to respond with sensitivity, professionalism, and ethical care in complex situations will be essential.
The ideal candidate will be a collaborative team player who communicates effectively and works well within a multidisciplinary environment. A commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, and an understanding of the unique challenges faced by these communities, is also important in this role. If you’re someone who values inclusive, evidence-based practice and is passionate about making a real impact in the lives of families, we’d love to hear from you.
Requirements:
- Social Workers - hold as a minimum a bachelor's degree in social work which provides eligibility for membership of the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW).
- Psychologists – must hold a four-year degree in psychology, being a three-year degree with a fourth-year honours in psychology, or a qualification deemed equivalent by the employer, and be registered (general) or eligible for registration as a Psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia via AHPRA.
What we can offer you:
At Hunter New England Health, enjoy a career where you're challenged by interesting work and surrounded by spectacular locations. You'll contribute to the team enriching health in millions of ways every day. On top of this we also offer:
- Sustainable Healthcare: Together towards zero
- Proximity to shopping and other services
- 4 weeks annual leave (pro-rata for part time employees)
- Salary packaging options - up to $11,600 plus novated leasing
- Fitness Passport for health and well-being - discounted gym options for you and your family
- 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:
- An eligibility list will be created for future temporary part time vacancies.
- We are unable to accommodate visa sponsorship for applicants requiring a visa for this position.
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 Siobhain Lowthe on Siobhain.Lowthe@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.
Hunter New England Health 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.
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 Rebecca.Caldwell@health.nsw.gov.au for confidential support to ensure an equitable, barrier-free application process.
