Mental Health Clinician, Safeguards Child and Adolescent Acute Mental Health Response Team

Support young people by providing mental health assessments and delivering brief intervention. Become an integral part of our Child and Adolescent Mental Health Response Team in the Illawarra as a Level 1/2 Occupational Therapist or Social Worker.

$73,427 - $104,753 per annum + 12% super & salary packaging | Permanent Full Time | Wollongong Hospital (TWH) | REQ597091 | Grade: Social Worker Level 1/2, Occupational Therapist 1/2 | Applications close: 10 September 2025

Join us in shaping healthier futures. Together we can do more.

"The Safeguards Team is a new Child, Adolescent, and Youth Acute Mental Health Service that provides timely, best-practice care to children and adolescents (0-17 years) experiencing acute mental health distress. This community-based team delivers rapid, mobile, and flexible care, including assessment, assertive outreach, and referrals. Where appropriate, the team provides brief therapeutic interventions and short-term care coordination.

Safeguards currently operates within an integrated model alongside the adult Acute Care Team (ACT), focusing on acute child and adolescent mental health while working closely with other services, families and carers. Though the team is working towards operating 7 days a week, it currently operates and responds to children and young people five days per week.

The Safeguards Team provide care in various settings, including schools, homes and communities. You will be a part of a multi-disciplinary team including Medical Officer, Team Coordinator, Nurses, Social Workers, other Occupational Therapist and Clinical Psychologist."

For more information and to view the position classification, see the Position Descriptionhere.

A little about us.

Wollongong Hospital, located on Dharawal Country, is the Illawarra Shoalhaven's major referral and teaching hospital and has a bed-base count of more than 500. The campus, which incorporates the Illawarra Regional Cancer Care Centre, provides a comprehensive range of inpatient, outpatient and community-based services.

Wollongong is located an hour's drive south of Sydney on a narrow coastal strip bordered by the Royal National Park to the north, Lake Illawarra to the south, the Tasman Sea to the east and the Illawarra Escarpment to the west. Learn more about the lifestyle benefits of living and working in Wollongong here.

Benefits of working with ISLHD.

We understand that balancing career aspirations with the demand of the everyday, as well as maintaining a healthy work-life balance, can be a challenge. To help with this, we offer a range of benefits which include:

• Allocated Days Off (ADO) - once a month take a paid day off (eligible full-time employees)

• Salary packaging - less tax and more take-home pay

• Novated leasing - lease a car and pay for all running costs out of your pre-taxed salary (eligible full-time employees)

• Fitness Passport - discounted gym membership that both you and your family can enjoy (eligible employees)

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) - free confidential and professional assistance for staff and their families

• Discounted health insurance is available through a number of different private health insurance providers. Talk to your provider today for more information

• Career progression, professional development and secondment opportunities

Apply now by reading the Position Description, then, using our online portal, submit a resume and answer the selection criteria within the application. In addition, please note you must have the following essential requirements:

• Applicable vaccination requirements for a Category A role.
• Working With Children Check (WWCC)
• Current AHPRA Registration as Occupational Therapist or
• Social Work degree and eligibility for the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW)
• Valid NSW Drivers Licence

ISLHD is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

ISLHD 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 wellbeing of children and young people, actively working to protect them from harm and abuse.

Need more information or help applying?

• Visit the ISLHD website for application tips, to learn more about ISLHD and other important application information.
• Visit the Stepping Up website here. Stepping Up supports Aboriginal people to navigate the recruitment process and find a career or employment in NSW Health.
• Follow us on social media: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.
• For role-related queries or help applying, contact Jasmine Scott on