Senior Practice Advisor

About Us

The Mai-Wel Group is a Hunter region not-for-profit connecting people with possibilities for nearly 65 years. We partner with people with disability, young people and those experiencing disadvantage to build independence, confidence and real pathways into community, education, training, employment and enterprise. With a team of more than 370 people, we deliver integrated, person-centred supports across daily living and independence, social and creative participation, and real-world work-readiness programs that lead to jobs—reinvesting every dollar to grow impact across our region. Trusted, local and outcomes-driven, Mai-Wel is Full of Possible.

Lead practice excellence and strengthen participant outcomes across all Mai-Wel programs.

Mai-Wel is seeking an experienced Senior Practice Advisor to provide expert guidance, mentor teams, and influence high-quality, evidence-based service delivery across all programs and locations. This role is central to improving participant outcomes, enhancing staff capability, and supporting best practice organisation-wide.

In this role, you will:

• Provide guidance to service delivery teams and maintain a small shadow caseload to ensure practice remains contemporary and participant-centred.
• Observe, identify and refer participants with complex barriers to appropriate clinical, social and community supports.
• Work cross-functionally across all sites and programs, collaborating with Allied Health, community networks, support coordinators, interpreters, housing services and legal supports.
• Promote and support the implementation of evidence-based interventions, including care plans.
• Mentor and supervise Practice Advisors, including reflective supervision and oversight of complex cases.
• Build the capability of regional teams in complex case management and participant needs.
• Provide advice, tools and resources aligned with Mai-Wel's Community of Practice to uplift operational practice.
• Strengthen internal referral pathways and collaboration to enhance participant outcomes.
• Contribute to continuous improvement, quality assurance, consistent practice delivery and compliance.
• Maintain reporting, documentation and administrative requirements to a high standard.

You are a strong practice leader with experience supporting people with complex needs, and you excel at developing others.

You will bring:

• Minimum 5 years' experience in a senior practice and/or supervisory role within human or social services (e.g., psychology, social work, youth work, mental health, disability, education, employment services).
• Experience assessing and supporting people with disability, psychosocial disability, trauma, abuse or non-vocational barriers.
• Ability to analyse information, make evidence-based decisions and deliver reports.
• Proven capability to coach, motivate and mentor staff.
• Strong communication skills, including negotiation and mediation.
• Excellent organisational skills, time management and the ability to work across multiple teams and locations.
• Competence in ICT systems, Microsoft Office and documentation standards.

Qualifications (one or more):

• Certificate IV or Diploma in Employment Services, Community Services, Disability, Mental Health, Youth Work, HR, Business or similar; OR
• Tertiary qualification in Social Science, Social Work, Psychology, Behaviour Support, Mental Health, Human Services, Teaching, HR, Business, or related field.

Desirable:

• Cultural awareness and the ability to work respectfully with diverse communities, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
• Understanding of trauma-informed practice and contemporary social/employment barriers

• Hybrid role with travel across multiple sites
• Opportunity to impact participant outcomes across the whole organisation
• Supportive team, strong leadership and inclusive culture
• Organisation committed to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging
• Values-driven workplace built on Respect, Integrity and Excellence

Click Apply and upload your resume and a cover letter outlining how your experience aligns with the role.

We will begin reviewing applications immediately, and interviews may commence before the closing date.

Please Note: This is for a 2026 Start