Social Worker (Grade 1 / Grade 2)

CrossNation Healthcare Partner

Role Snapshot

The Social Worker provides psychosocial assessment, counselling, case management, and advocacy services within a social model of health in the Mildura LGA. The role addresses social determinants of health impacting community members' wellbeing, supporting clients to access services and navigate complex health, social, and welfare systems. Clients include individuals and families experiencing family violence, housing insecurity, mental health challenges, chronic illness, disability, and social isolation, with particular focus on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, refugees, and other vulnerable populations. Grade 2 additionally provides clinical leadership, supervision, and service improvement leadership.

What You Will Do

• Conduct comprehensive biopsychosocial assessments to identify client needs, strengths, risks, and goals
• Provide individual counselling, crisis intervention, and therapeutic support to clients and families with acute and complex psychosocial needs
• Deliver case management and care coordination for clients with complex needs including NDIS participants, aged care clients, and family violence survivors
• Undertake risk assessments including mental health, family violence, child safety, and suicide risk, implementing appropriate safety planning
• Facilitate access to housing, financial assistance, legal aid, transport, and community support services
• Advocate on behalf of clients to ensure equitable access to services and entitlements
• Formulate, document, and manage individual care and support plans in collaboration with the multidisciplinary team

Priority Client and Risk Work

• Provide specialist support and risk assessment for family violence clients in accordance with the MARAM framework
• Conduct child wellbeing risk assessments and meet mandatory reporting obligations under the Children Youth and Families Act 2005
• Support refugee and asylum seeker clients with settlement, trauma-informed counselling, and service navigation

Team and Service Delivery

• Collaborate within the multidisciplinary allied health and community support team
• Supervise Social Work students on placement and Allied Health Assistants within their scope
• Grade 1: Participate in clinical supervision with a Grade 2 Social Worker
• Grade 2: Provide clinical supervision, professional development, and workload management for Grade 1 Social Workers
• Grade 2: Lead development and review of Social Work service guidelines and quality documents
• Grade 2: Represent the organisation on key working parties, networks, and project initiatives

Operational Responsibilities

• Work within a multidisciplinary model of care and contribute to integrated service delivery
• Collaborate with the Team Leader and Manager to monitor service performance
• Ensure documentation is timely, accurate, and consistent with organisational policy
• Enter data into the client management system to ensure statistical data and invoicing are accurate
• Manage workload and diary to meet service demands and funding targets
• Contribute to a healthy and safe working environment, modelling ethical behaviour and practices
• Operate, adhere to and demonstrate organisational Mission, Vision and Values
• Participate in quality improvement projects, clinical audits, and service evaluation activities
• Other reasonable duties as directed

What Will Help You Succeed

• Strong psychosocial assessment, counselling, and case management skills
• Trauma-informed, strengths-based, and culturally responsive approach to practice
• Commitment to social justice, equity, and the rights of vulnerable populations

Desirable Experience

• Experience with family violence services and the MARAM framework
• Experience with NDIS planning and support coordination
• Grade 2: Post-graduate qualifications in social work or a related area
• Mental Health First Aid certification
• Current driver's licence (essential – home visiting and outreach required)

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) or Master of Social Work (qualifying) as recognised by the AASW – essential
• Eligible for membership of the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) – essential
• Grade 2: Minimum 5 years' post-graduate clinical social work experience
• Grade 2: Demonstrated leadership within social work or a multidisciplinary team
• Current driver's licence – essential
• Working With Children Check (Employee) – essential
• NDIS Worker Screening Check – required prior to commencement

Skills and Capabilities

• Comprehensive psychosocial and risk assessment skills including mental health, family violence, and child safety
• Proficiency in trauma-informed counselling, motivational interviewing, and strengths-based case management
• Strong knowledge of community resources, welfare entitlements, and the NDIS framework
• Ability to navigate MARAM, Children Youth and Families Act, and NDIS legislation
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills including report writing for courts and external agencies
• Computer literacy with client management systems and Microsoft Office suite

Personal Attributes

• Compassionate, person-centred approach to care
• Reliable, accountable, and organised
• Culturally sensitive with respect for diverse backgrounds and lived experiences
• Calm under pressure with strong problem-solving ability
• Strong work ethic and commitment to continuous professional development
• Team-oriented, collaborative, and approachable

Compliance and Screening

• National Police Check (mandatory for all staff)
• Working With Children Check – Employee (where applicable)
• NDIS Worker Screening Check (for all client-contact roles)
• Immunisation evidence per Category A health worker requirements
• Proof of identity and AHPRA registration (where applicable)
• Right to work in Australia – citizen, PR, or valid work authorisation

Professional Standards

All registered professionals must comply with AHPRA requirements, relevant professional body Codes of Conduct, and applicable legislation including the OH&S; Act, Privacy Act, Health Records Act, and Public Health and Wellbeing Act.

Diversity and Inclusion

We are an equal opportunity employer. We strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, LGBTIQA+ individuals, people with disability, mature-age workers, and those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

Employment Conditions

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive biopsychosocial assessments to identify client needs, strengths, risks, and goals
• Provide individual counselling, crisis intervention, and therapeutic support to clients and families with acute and complex psychosocial needs
• Deliver case management and care coordination for clients with complex needs including NDIS participants, aged care clients, and family violence survivors
• Undertake risk assessments including mental health, family violence, child safety, and suicide risk, implementing appropriate safety planning
• Facilitate access to housing, financial assistance, legal aid, transport, and community support services
• Advocate on behalf of clients to ensure equitable access to services and entitlements
• Formulate, document, and manage individual care and support plans in collaboration with the multidisciplinary team

Requirements & Compliance

• Experience with family violence services and the MARAM framework
• Experience with NDIS planning and support coordination
• Grade 2: Post-graduate qualifications in social work or a related area
• Mental Health First Aid certification
• Current driver's licence (essential – home visiting and outreach required)
• Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) or Master of Social Work (qualifying) as recognised by the AASW – essential
• Eligible for membership of the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) – essential
• Grade 2: Minimum 5 years' post-graduate clinical social work experience
• Grade 2: Demonstrated leadership within social work or a multidisciplinary team
• Current driver's licence – essential
• Working With Children Check (Employee) – essential
• NDIS Worker Screening Check – required prior to commencement
• Comprehensive psychosocial and risk assessment skills including mental health, family violence, and child safety
• Proficiency in trauma-informed counselling, motivational interviewing, and strengths-based case management
• Strong knowledge of community resources, welfare entitlements, and the NDIS framework
• Ability to navigate MARAM, Children Youth and Families Act, and NDIS legislation
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills including report writing for courts and external agencies
• Computer literacy with client management systems and Microsoft Office suite