Senior Child Protection Counsellor (Psychologist, Social Worker Lvl 3) - Staying Safe in Community / Child Protection Counselling Service - Temp FT
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- Counsellor
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- REQ585089 Requisition #
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- 8 hours ago Post Date
Employment Type: Temporary Full Time, 38 hours per week up until August 2026
Location: SWSLHD District Wide
Position Classification: Psychologist, Social Worker Level 3
Remuneration: Dependant on Classification
Psychologist: $1,482.56 - $ 2,169.97 per week
Social Worker Level 3: $2,154.06 - $2,223.86 per week
Requisition ID: REQ585089
Application Close Date: 06/07/2025
Interview Date Range: 09/07/2025 – 16/07/2025
Contact Details: Laura Mcdonald – 02 9794 0920 | Laura.Mcdonald@health.nsw.gov.au
About the Opportunity
The Child Protection Counselling Service (CPCS) in South Western Sydney Local Health District (SWSLHD) has an exciting opportunity for an experienced clinician to bring their skills and knowledge and join a collaborative and professional team. This position is for a temporary full-time Senior Child Protection Counsellor (Social Worker Level 3 or Psychologist). The central unit for the CPCS is based within the Liverpool LGA, with CPCS Counsellors located in some Health Centres across the SWSLHD. This position is primarily based at Ingleburn Community Health Centre, with the expectation that Counsellors travel and work in other Community Health Centres across the SWSLHD in business hours (0830 – 1700).
SWSLHD operates its services on the lands of the Dharawal Darug and Gundungurra lands and has a rich history of working alongside local Aboriginal communities and our district’s Aboriginal Health Unit. We are a district that is committed to supporting you grow and develop your skills.
The CPCS sits within the broader Prevention and Response to Violence Abuse and Neglect (PARAVAN) team and is a trauma-specific service responding to violence, abuse and neglect involving children and young people. The CPCS’ overarching purpose is to work towards the recovery and ongoing safety and wellbeing of children and young people involved in the child protection system. The CPCS are primarily an outreach or home visiting based service and provide individual, couple, and family counselling. They also provide therapy sessions to children and young people, after clinical assessment. The type of sessions facilitated depends on the needs of the family. Groupwork is also provided to clients of the service. The client work is medium to long term in duration.
This is a fantastic opportunity to be part of an innovative team. You will have the chance to influence and shape the way the team works to deliver integrated trauma-informed care and reflective practice
What You'll be Doing
The position is responsible for improving the emotional, social and mental wellbeing of children, young people, parents/carers and their families where there has been a confirmed history violence and neglect by providing specialist counselling and interventions. This response includes:Trauma informed interventions and responses,Case coordination that includes intake, assessment, case planning and referral functions,Client focussed advocacy, liaison and consultation, Provide consultation in relation to child protection matters to other health professionals as part of the team’s service delivery.A genuine child-centred, family focused approach, collaborating across services to ensure clients receive the service they need, when they need it.
This position is to ensure the provision of optimal health outcomes consistent with SWSLHD policies and procedures, standards, relevant legislation, and the NSW Health Code of Conduct. The position will also participate in professional development, clinical supervision, teaching, quality activities and other relevant departmental and administrative duties.
Staying Safe in Community (PARVAN) Directorate staff work within integrated trauma informed (ITIC) framework with an understanding of and responsiveness to the impact of trauma on children, young people and their families. The position will ensure that services are provided in a manner that is welcoming, safe and appropriate for all, including individuals, families and communities who have experienced trauma. By adopting a trauma-informed and family sensitive approach, health services can play a key part in identifying and meeting the needs of children, young people, individuals, families and communities who are vulnerable.
Where You'll Be Working
SWSLHD Primary & Community Health provides a comprehensive range of community-based services designed to improve and maintain the health and wellbeing of individuals and communities across South Western Sydney.
These services include prevention, early intervention, assessment, acute and post-acute treatment, health maintenance, and continuing care. The team supports diverse populations, offering specialised programs for children, young people, older adults, and at-risk communities.
With over 800 dedicated staff, including Aboriginal Health Workers, nurses, doctors, and allied health professionals, the service ensures high-quality care close to where people live.
The focus on community health and wellbeing makes SWSLHD Primary & Community Health an ideal place to work, providing opportunities for professional growth and the chance to make a meaningful impact on the community.
How to Apply
To be considered for this position, please ensure you address the below questions as thoroughly as possible. View our application guide for information on how to respond to criteria and improve your application.
- A Social Work degree which provides eligibility for membership of the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) or Full registration as a Psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia. Completion of four-year sequence of accredited undergraduate study in the discipline of psychology (or equivalent completed overseas).
- Demonstrated extensive post graduate clinical experience in providing counselling, groupwork, parenting and case management interventions to clients where child protection, violence, neglect and trauma incidents has occurred.
- Demonstrated knowledge of child protection issues including the relevant legislation and guidelines and the appropriate response for clinical practice.
- Demonstrated experience in engaging with difficult and involuntary clients.
- Demonstrated experience in prioritising a challenging and demanding workload; managing stressful situations; and applying advanced reasoning skills and independent professional judgement when dealing with situations of a novel or critical nature.
- Demonstrated high level of communication skills (written and verbal) and demonstrated computer skills.
- Demonstrated experience in the provision of clinical supervision and expert advice/consultation to other professionals in relation to counselling and child protection issues.
- Demonstrated experience in the planning, implementing, leading and evaluating of quality improvement activities involving the application of evidenced based practice.
- Applicants must possess an Australian C-Class driver's license (including P1 or P2). Those who hold a C class license (P1 or P2 included) from a state other than NSW must obtain a NSW C class (P1 or P2 included) license within three months of appointment. Learner's licenses are not permitted.
Need more information?
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Additional Information
Salary Packaging
South Western Sydney Local Health District employees are able to enjoy the benefits of salary packing. Visit Smart Salary for more details.
Health & Fitness
South Western Sydney Local Health District employees receive discounted Gym Membership/Corporate Wellbeing Programs, including Fitness Passport.
Transforming Your Experience
Transforming Your Experience (TYE) is SWSLHDs key strategy to always positively transform your, our patients, our consumers, our staffs and our communities experiences across our organisation and services. Our vision is that our care is always safe, high quality and personalised and all our staff are supported and empowered to achieve their full potential. SWSLHD upholds the CORE Values – Collaboration, Openness, Respect and Empowerment.
To be eligible for permanent appointment to a position in NSW Health, you must have an Australian citizenship or permanent Australian residency.
At South Western Sydney Local Health District we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer, where we don’t just accept differences but we honour and support it. Committed to providing a working environment that thrives and values diversity, we encourage people of ⚫️ 🟡 🔴 Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander ⚫️ 🟡 🔴 background, people with a disability and people from the LGBTQI+ community to apply.
SWSLHD is committed to driving a child safe culture that upholds children and young people’s rights. We strive to ensure children and young people feel safe, supported and included in their care. Existing staff of SWSLHD and those seeking employment are required to take the safety, welfare and wellbeing of children and young people seriously while taking action to keep them safe from harm and abuse.
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