Careers in social work
Social workers are the largest allied health workforce in public mental health. We currently employ 140 social workers in a range of roles.
What we do
Social workers are employed in all program areas:
- Inpatient Units, residential settings as well as in community teams
- clinical education and training roles
- at all levels of the organisation from Entry Level to Executive
- Casual Bank
Social work invests in undergraduate teaching by providing professional education and clinical placements to student social workers interested in mental health social work. Social work has developed partnerships with key Universities to further research and facilitate student placements in both clinical and research roles providing pathways for the workforce of the future.
Social workers follow the professional practice guidelines of the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW), the AASW Code of Ethics and the AASW Practice Standards for Mental Health.
Areas of expertise
Social workers bring expertise in:
- psychosocial functioning of clients and their families
- the holistic assessment and development of recovery-oriented plans with clients and their family/carers
- assessment of multiple and complex challenges for families including the assessment of vulnerable and at-risk children
- specialist family work and family therapy interventions (including Single Session Family Consultations)
- identification of psycho-social risk factors, and obstacles for discharge
- task-focused case work ensuring clients have access to eligible supports and services such as housing and finances
- advocacy in legal areas such as Guardianship and Administration Applications, Family & Children’s Court and Criminal Court
- group programs and individual work with consumers
- community development and engaging partnerships with community agencies
Social workers contribute to the development of procedures and practice guidelines in the areas of:
- vulnerable and at-risk children
- work with others to ensure NWMH is compliant with legislation arising from Governments such as Royal Commission into Child Sexual Abuse, Royal Commission into Family Violence and their associated recommendations
- Child Safe Guidelines for where children of our clients come into contact with the organisation including visiting in-patient settings
- support for our vulnerable older clients through Elder Abuse procedures
- accommodation and housing issues
- Carer Workforce to support evidence-based Family Work at all levels of the organisation
Find out current vacancies on the Melbourne Health online recruitment system.
For more information, contact the Senior Social Work Advisor.