Overview
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: $56.68 - $58.52 per hour + superannuation
* Hours Per Week: 23
* Requisition ID: REQ612507
* Location: Newcastle, Honeysuckle
* 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 program is a collaboration between the NSW Police Force, the Department of Communities and Justice, and NSW Health to ensure timely, effective support and protection for vulnerable children and families. We are seeking an experienced and resilient professional to join our team on a permanent basis.
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 JCPRP team. 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 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. Formal education pathways are available to build capacity, knowledge, and clinical confidence. A structured local orientation program introduces the service model, team, and interagency partners (Health, DCJ, and Police). You’ll have opportunities to shadow experienced clinicians and participate in trauma-informed clinical practice. Training in organisational systems, documentation standards, and local policies will ensure you are prepared to work effectively.
You will receive regular clinical supervision from senior practitioners via the Education Centre Against Violence (ECAV), with access to group supervision and case review meetings. Strong managerial and collegial support is provided, with open access to senior leadership for consultation and debriefing. There are opportunities to attend Joint Agency JCPRP training and funded opportunities to attend internal and external education sessions relevant to your clinical specialty. Professional development programs, eLearning platforms, and structured learning pathways are available to maintain and advance your practice. There are further opportunities to contribute to quality improvement, research, and service development projects.
About you
Non-negotiables for this role include demonstrated advanced clinical assessment and intervention skills with children, young people, and families experiencing trauma, abuse, or neglect. You must be able to exercise independent professional judgment in complex and sensitive cases, with a sound understanding of evidence-based, trauma-informed, and person-centred practice. You must be able to collaborate with multi-agency partners such as Health, DCJ, and Police in highly sensitive contexts, and have strong communication and negotiation skills to manage interagency expectations and coordinate responses. The role requires engagement with children, young people, and families in distress with empathy, professionalism, and cultural sensitivity. You should be able to operate autonomously with minimal supervision while maintaining accountability and alignment with service standards. 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 important. High ethical standards, confidentiality, and professional boundaries are mandatory. You must maintain accurate, timely documentation to legal and professional standards, and have strong organisational and time management skills.
Skills and knowledge that can be developed on the job include familiarity with local service models or documentation systems (e.g., eMR, CHIME, or JCPRP protocols); advanced therapeutic interventions; understanding of local protocols or memoranda of understanding between agencies; knowledge of regional networks and referral pathways; supervision and leadership development; data collection and reporting systems; and continuing cultural competence through education and mentoring. You will learn organisation-specific administrative tools and IT systems through induction.
Requirements
* Eligibility to drive in NSW.
* Must hold 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 Kyl ie.Carey@health.nsw.gov.au
Information for Applicants:
Applicants will be assessed against the essential requirements and selection criteria contained within the position description. For assistance addressing selection criteria visit: https://bit.ly/3vL5fq2
Stepping Up Website is a resource designed to help indigenous job applicants apply for positions in NSW Health. For more information, please visit: https://bit.ly/HNEHealthSteppingUp
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. 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. We will work with you to meet your needs and create the best possible experience. Please contact HNELHD-Diversity@health.nsw.gov.au for confidential support to ensure an equitable, barrier-free application process.
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