Social Worker/Psychologist Counsellor - Children, Young People and Families

🌿 Make a meaningful difference where it matters most as a Social Worker/Psychologist Counsellor – Children, Young People and Families, combining specialist clinical practice, multidisciplinary collaboration and genuine connection with children, young people and families across the stunning Lower Mid North Coast.

Remuneration: $79,419 - $122,465 Per Annum + 12% Super + Salary Packaging

Employment Type: Temporary Full Time until October 2027

Position Classification: Psychologist, Social Worker Level 1/2

Hours Per Week: 38

Location: Forster CHS

Requisition ID: REQ691659

Applications Close: Wednesday 21st October 2026

🌱 About The Role

As a Social Worker/Psychologist Counsellor – Children, Young People and Families, you’ll provide flexible, person-centred support across a range of settings, connecting with children, young people and families where support is most meaningful - whether that’s within Community Health, at home, at school or out in the community.

Reporting to the Manager of Children, Young People and Family Services – Lower Mid North Coast, you will be welcomed into a supportive Counselling Team and broader Paediatric Allied Health Team, working collaboratively within the Children, Young People and Families Service.

From day one, you’ll be supported to build confidence in the role through comprehensive orientation and training, with ongoing opportunities to strengthen your clinical practice. Regular monthly clinical supervision, mandatory education and access to both internal and external professional support ensure you have the resources, guidance and development opportunities to continue growing professionally.

✨ Bring your expertise, compassion and passion for supporting children and families to a team where professional growth, collaboration and meaningful community impact go hand in hand.

🌿 Where You’ll Be Working

Join the Counselling Team within the Children, Young People and Families Service, based at Forster Community Health, with the flexibility to work across the beautiful Lower Mid North Coast. You’ll be part of a collaborative multidisciplinary team providing meaningful counselling support to children, young people and families, helping shape positive outcomes for the communities you serve.

🌊 Discover the Lower Mid North Coast

Set amongst the natural beauty of the Barrington Coast, the Lower Mid North Coast offers an enviable blend of coastal living, community connection and outdoor adventure. With Forster and Taree at the heart of the region, you’ll have pristine beaches, sparkling lakes, lush rainforests and picturesque hinterland right on your doorstep.

Just three hours from Sydney and two hours from Newcastle, the region offers an appealing lifestyle with a relaxed coastal pace, a range of education options and accessible housing. From swimming, surfing, fishing, sailing and scuba diving to exploring Booti Booti National Park, Cape Hawke, local markets and vibrant dining spots, there’s something to enjoy beyond the workday.

✨ Make a meaningful difference through your work while enjoying the lifestyle that comes with living and working on the stunning Lower Mid North Coast.

Relocating? We've Got You Covered

Making a move can feel overwhelming, but support is available.

The Welcome Experience is a free service designed to help health workers and their families settle into regional communities. From connecting you with local schools, childcare providers, sporting clubs, housing information, and community networks, the program helps make your transition smoother so you can feel at home sooner and start enjoying everything your new community has to offer.

Learn More: www.nsw.gov.au/welcomeexperience

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. You'll contribute to the team enriching health in millions of ways every day. On top of this we also offer:

Supportive and collaborative team environment

Ongoing professional development opportunities across the administrative network

Career progression opportunities within NSW Health

Annual leave and paid parental leave for eligible employees

Salary packaging options to increase take-home pay

Fitness Passport and Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to support wellbeing

Essential Requirements

• Social Workers - hold as a minimum a bachelor's degree in social work which provides eligibility for membership of the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW).
• Psychologists - must hold a four-year degree in psychology, being a three-year degree with a fourth-year honours in psychology, or a qualification deemed equivalent by the employer, and be registered (general) or eligible for registration as a Psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia via AHPRA.
  
  

If this sounds like you, we would love you to apply:

🌿 Bring a compassionate, person-centred approach to delivering safe, high-quality care, with a strong focus on evidence-based assessment, therapeutic intervention, health promotion and education.

💬 Build meaningful connections with children, young people and families/carers, using your clinical expertise and interpersonal skills to understand individual needs and support positive outcomes.

🧩 Confidently manage a diverse and busy caseload, supporting clients experiencing psychosocial complexity with a holistic, responsive and strengths-based approach.

🤝 Collaborate across multidisciplinary clinics within the Children, Young People and Families Service, contributing your professional expertise to coordinated and family-centred care.

✨ Thrive in a collaborative clinical environment, where your knowledge, compassion and commitment to supporting children, young people and families can make a genuine difference.

Bring your dedication, professionalism, and heart for healthcare to our team - we can’t wait to hear from you!

Additional Information

• An eligibility list will be created for future temporary full or part time vacancies.
• This position is full time; however, part time/job share arrangements may also be considered.
• 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.
• 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-Diversity@health.nsw.gov.au for confidential support.
• To be eligible for employment in this position you must be an Australian Citizen, or permanent resident of Australia, or a New Zealand citizen with a current New Zealand Passport, or hold an appropriate visa that allows you to live and work in Australia. Employment of a temporary visa holder will only be offered 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.
  
  

How To Apply

Click apply online, submit your information and resume, and address the criteria listed below providing examples that demonstrate your ability.

• Demonstrated effective experience and knowledge in clinical practice related to assessment, intervention and evaluation of clinical outcomes when working with children, young people and their families.
• Commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and an understanding of the issues that impact on provision of counselling.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team and liaise with other health professionals and community agencies to accomplish service goals and improved client care and outcomes.
  
  

Need more information?

• Click here for the Position Description
• Find out more about applying for this position
  
  

For role related queries or questions contact Ashleigh Gallimore on Ashleigh.Gallimore@health.nsw.gov.au

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: 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.

Salary Packaging: is beneficial to most Hunter New England Health employees and may increase your take-home pay! Salary package a range of personal expenses including novated motor vehicle leases, relocation expenses, and HECS/HELP debt. Find out more by contacting SalaryPackagingPLUS! via nswhealth@salarypackagingplus.com.au or 1300 40 25 23.

Hunter New England Health employees may be eligible for a range of benefits such as allocated days off (ADO) for full time employees, long service leave, paid maternity leave, and salary packaging options including meal expenses.

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