Social Worker

About Us

Access Health and Community (AccessHC) is a leading not-for-profit healthcare provider with over 150 years of experience delivering inclusive, person-centered care across Melbourne's inner and outer east and northeast. With 500+ staff and 200 volunteers across 17 locations, we offer a wide range of integrated services to support diverse communities. Following our 2024 merger with Inspiro, we've expanded our reach into the Yarra Ranges and strengthened our commitment to accessible, high-quality community health. We value Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), uphold strong Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles, and respect the rights of First Nations peoples and we continue to build healthier lives through compassion, collaboration, and community-led care.

The opportunity

Join our dynamic community healthcare organisation and make a real impact in the lives of young people. The focus of the Social Worker role is to provide engagement, assessment and support to young people aged 12-25 years at headspace Malvern. Initial contact with service users focuses on engagement and creating a welcoming space, as well as gathering information in relation to the young person's presenting concerns, offering strategies and interventions, advocating and assisting with referrals to the most appropriate supports.

The Social Worker will work within a multidisciplinary team to perform a variety of tasks, including supporting connection and engagement of young people, conducting developmentally appropriate biopsychosocial assessments, assessing and managing risk, and providing care coordination and brief intervention to a caseload of young people. These tasks are undertaken using a trauma-informed, family inclusive approach in accordance with headspace National practice principles. 

The classification of the role is SW Level 4 PP1 and requires demonstrated experience in risk assessment.

This role is based in Malvern - headspace reporting to the Team Leader.

The Social Worker will provide a range of treatment and supports to young people, including short-term counselling, care coordination and brief intervention/single session therapy. The role will also involve liaising with a young person and/or their family members, friends, schools, external services and other professionals to help inform their care plan.

 What you will be doing Key Responsibilities

• Respond to new referrals and 'duty calls' from young people, families, friends and referrers
• Engage with young people and families/friends with a welcoming and hopeful approach to ensure a positive experience at headspace Hawthorn
• Conduct initial appointments and risk assessments to ascertain the most appropriate support options for the young person, including safety planning for young people identified as being at risk
• Provide a 'no wrong door' response to all young people presenting for support, including (but not limited to) working in a dual-diagnosis framework and effectively screening and responding to young people with mental health, alcohol and other drug and other co-occurring issues
• Conduct psychosocial assessments
• Provide brief intervention, short-term counselling/case management and single session therapy using evidence-informed practice for young people where clinically appropriate and within scope of practice

 What you will bring Key Selection Criteria

• Relevant tertiary qualifications in social work, including eligibility for registration as a social worker with the AASW
• Demonstrated experience working in youth mental health, alcohol and other drugs, community or similar health services (minimum two years' experience is preferred)
• Demonstrated experience in care coordination, case management and brief intervention
• Demonstrated experience and relevant training in clinical risk assessment and management (including, but not limited to, suicide risk assessment and prevention
  

• Genuine interest and passion working with young people
• Skills in working with young people across the 12–25-year age group and understanding of relevant social and developmental stages
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Excellent knowledge and understanding of the youth mental health and related services sector
• Demonstrated ability to work creatively and respectfully with young people from a diverse range of social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds, including LGBTIQA+, culturally and linguistically diverse, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
• Effective time management and prioritisation skills
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and in a team environment
• Demonstrated behaviours consistent with AccessHC values

Access Health and Community Culture & Benefits

At AccessHC, we offer more than just a fulfilling career; we invest in our people and provide an environment where you can thrive in a culture of collaboration and support. Our team members share commitment and passion to make a positive impact and this ethos creates a range of benefits for our people from opportunities for personal and professional growth to a sense of purpose and belonging.

Our culture promotes an environment of success and fulfilment. Join us and experience a career where you truly make a difference.

 The position encompasses an extensive range of benefits:

• Supportive and values- based culture and engaged workforce
• Culture of trust and empowerment for people to grow and thrive
• Commitment to a work-life balance with flexible working conditions
• Focus on staff wellbeing and health - Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Commitment to ongoing professional development and career growth
• Paid parental leave and opportunity to purchase additional leave
• Annual leave loading
• Generous salary packaging opportunities (up to $15,990 per annum + $2,650 meals/entertainment expenses)

 Read more about our culture and benefits:

Apply Now

Submit your application including your resume and cover letter addressing the selection criteria.

Please refer to the position description on our website for the key selection criteria information: 

if you would like further information about the role, please email:

Brittany Oh, Team Leader E:

We will be reviewing applications as they are submitted and may appoint the role before the end of date of the advertisement.

Applications close date: 27th November 2025

Access Health and Community is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing an inclusive working environment that embraces and values all people, regardless of cultural background, age, gender identity, sexuality or lived and living experience. We value the diversity and strength of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and are committed to delivering on our vision for reconciliation through our recruitment and employment practices. Access is required to undertake compliance checks; however, a record of criminal history does not preclude applicants from applying for suitable positions. All applications will be assessed on a case-by-case basis and managed in a confidential and practical manner.