Social Worker Level 3

Join a dedicated team protecting children and families—your expertise can change lives.

Employment Type: Permanent Part Time

Position Classification: Social Worker Level 3 - Newcastle Joint Child Protection Response Program

Remuneration: $ $58.52 per hour + superannuation

Hours Per Week: 23

Requisition ID: REQ612507

Location: Wallsend Campus

Applications Close: Thursday 30th October 2025

Where you'll be working

The Joint Child Protection Response Program (JCPRP) provides a coordinated, seamless response to children and young people who are at risk of significant harm due to sexual assault, serious physical abuse, or extreme neglect. This critical program is a collaboration between three key agencies: the NSW Police Force, the Department of Communities and Justice, and NSW Health. Together, these agencies work closely to ensure timely, effective support and protection for vulnerable children and families.

We are currently seeking an experienced and resilient professional to join our dedicated team on a permanent basis. If you are passionate about child protection and ready to make a meaningful impact through multidisciplinary collaboration, we encourage you to apply and become part of this vital program.

What you'll be doing

If you're seeking a rewarding role as a Social Worker where you can make a real difference, join the Joint Child Protection Response Program (JCPRP) team. In this position, you will provide an integrated psycho-social and therapeutic health response to clients who are victims of sexual assault, serious physical abuse, and extreme neglect. Based in the beautiful Honeysuckle area of Newcastle, the JCPRP team plays a vital role within the Violence, Abuse, and Neglect (VAN) network for Hunter New England.

You will be supported by Senior Health Clinicians and the broader JCPRP team, receiving tailored on-the-job mentoring and training specific to the service. Formal, ongoing education pathways are available to build your capacity, knowledge, and clinical confidence in this meaningful role.

A structured local orientation program will introduce you to the service model, team members, and key interagency partners, including Health, DCJ, and Police. You'll have opportunities to shadow experienced clinicians to deepen your understanding of the JCPRP framework and trauma-informed clinical practice. Training in organisational systems, documentation standards, and local policies will ensure you are well-prepared to work effectively.

You will receive regular individual clinical supervision from senior practitioners via the Education Centre Against Violence (ECAV), as well as access to group supervision and case review meetings to support reflective practice and peer learning. Strong managerial and collegial support is provided, with open access to senior leadership for consultation and debriefing.

Additionally, you will have access to Joint Agency JCPRP training, enhancing your skills in interagency child protection responses, along with funded opportunities to attend internal and external education sessions relevant to your clinical specialty. Professional development programs and forums offered by HNE Health are also available, along with eLearning platforms, evidence-based resources, and structured learning pathways to maintain and advance your clinical practice.

There are further opportunities to contribute to quality improvement, research, and service development projects, allowing you to play a key role in shaping the future of child protection services.

About you

Non-negotiables for this role include demonstrated advanced clinical assessment and intervention skills, particularly with children, young people, and families experiencing trauma, abuse, or neglect. You must have the capacity to exercise independent professional judgment in complex and sensitive cases, along with a sound understanding of evidence-based, trauma-informed, and person-centred practice. Proven ability to work collaboratively with multi-agency partners such as Health, DCJ, and Police in highly sensitive contexts is essential, as are strong communication and negotiation skills to manage interagency expectations and coordinate responses.

The role requires the ability to engage with children, young people, and families in distress with empathy, professionalism, and cultural sensitivity. You should have confidence to operate autonomously with minimal supervision while maintaining accountability and alignment with service standards. Demonstrated alignment with the NSW Health Values Charter and Code of Conduct, respect for cultural diversity, and understanding of Aboriginal health priorities (Closing the Gap) are critical. High ethical standards, commitment to confidentiality, and maintaining professional boundaries are mandatory. Additionally, you must have the capacity to maintain accurate, timely documentation to legal and professional standards, alongside strong organisational and time management skills to balance competing demands.

Skills and knowledge that can be developed on the job include familiarity with specific local service models or documentation systems such as eMR, CHIME, or JCPRP protocols; advanced skills in specialised therapeutic interventions, which can be strengthened through supervision; and understanding of local protocols or memoranda of understanding between agencies. You will also gain nuanced knowledge of regional networks and referral pathways, formal supervision training or leadership development, data collection and reporting systems specific to the organisation, and deeper cultural competence through ongoing education and mentoring. Finally, organisation-specific administrative tools and IT systems will be learned through local induction processes.

Requirements

• Eligibility to drive in NSW.
• Must hold as a minimum a bachelor degree in social work which provides eligibility for membership of the Australian Association of Social Workers, or other qualification deemed equivalent by the employer
• Minimum of 3 years full-time experience of trauma informed interventions with children/young people and their parents/ guardian and family.

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. Join the team enriching health in millions of ways every day:

• Sustainable Healthcare: Together towards zero
• 4 weeks annual leave (pro-rata for part time employees)
• Paid parental leave (for eligible employees) - giving you the opportunity for true Worklife balance
• 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

Additional Information

• An eligibility list will be created for future permanent part time and temporary part time vacancies.
• To be eligible for permanent employment in this position you must be an Australian Citizen, or a permanent resident of Australia, or a New Zealand citizen with a current New Zealand Passport. Employment of a temporary visa holder may only occur if no suitable local candidate is identified for the position; in this instance, you may only be offered employment in line with the conditions and expiry date of your visa.
• We are unable to accommodate visa sponsorship for applicants requiring a visa for this position.
• 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.

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 Kylie Carey on

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:

Stepping Up Website is a resource designed to help indigenous job applicants apply for positions in NSW Health. For more information, please visit:

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.

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 HNELHD- for confidential support to ensure an equitable, barrier-free application process.

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