Support our young patients and their families through health challenges

Work closely with a medical speciality and as part of a multidisciplinary team

VCID No. 750202

• This is a Recruitment Pool for Permanent Full Time, Permanent Part Time, Fixed Term Full Time, Fixed Term Part Time, Casual appointments, with the possibility of extension(s) and/or permanency.
• We currently have a variety of full time, part time and shift work positions available
• We currently have weekend and public holiday positions available.

This is an exciting opportunity to work at a senior practice level in a highly specialised paediatric setting, providing social work services to children and young people with complex medical, neurological, surgical, and developmental needs, and their families.

We currently have vacancies in portfolios including:

• Paediatric Palliative Care and Children's Hospice Service (PPCS).
• Emergency Department.
• After Hours Roster
• Acquired Brain Injury
• Spinal, limb difference and gastro
• Leave relief

About the Role

As a Senior Social Worker, you will help children and families navigate the challenges that can arise from their health condition.

You will apply knowledge drawn from experience in a clinical setting to understand the emotional, social, and psychological needs of our young patients and their families. You will work with families in situations involving the diagnosis of a health condition, disability, child-protection, trauma and bereavement.

Key responsibilities of the role include:

• Working collaboratively as a multidisciplinary team member to conduct psychosocial assessments and carry out interventions with patients and their families
• Providing counselling advocacy and support to families to access additional support services
• Offering education and training to families and staff on a range of topics related to your clinical practice
• Actively participating in and providing clinical supervision to Social Workers and Social Work students.

Please note a tertiary qualification in Social Work and eligibility for full membership of the Australian Association of Social Workers is a requirement for this role.

Resources can be provided to support transition from an adult care environment.

About our Department

Based at Perth Children’s Hospital, our dedicated team of Social Workers, Aboriginal Health Liaison Officers and Welfare Officers offer a wide range of services to inpatients and outpatients from birth to 16 years of age.

Designed to assist families in managing the practical, personal, and emotional impacts of illness, disability, and hospitalisation, our comprehensive services include specialist counselling and crisis assistance, advocacy for patient needs, education, liaison with other services and referral to community-based resources.

Health issues can deeply impact the emotional and social well-being of children and their families. As part of a holistic approach to each child’s care, we work closely with a medical, nursing, and allied health professionals to assess needs and provide compassionate support.

We believe that every child deserves the best possible start in life, and at times we continue to work with some families even after they leave the hospital, which includes travelling to support rural and regionally based out-patients.

How to apply: We welcome your application via the ‘Apply for Job’ button at the bottom of this page. Your application should contain the following:

• A copy of your current CV outlining your most recent and relevant work experience.
• Evidence of a Tertiary qualification in Social Work and eligible for full membership of the Australian Association of Social Workers or the Society of Professional Social Workers OR Evidence from the AASW of assessment of an overseas social work qualification and AASW membership eligibility.
• The name, email and contact details of two referees who can be contacted to provide a confidential report (we will contact you and seek your confirmation prior to contacting your listed referees).

These documents should be complete and ready to attach prior to applying online. Please ensure you allow sufficient time to complete the online application process as you will be required to answer various questions and attach your documentation.

Within the application system you will be presented with the following three questions. Please review the Essential and Desirable Selection Criteria outlined in the attached Job Description Form carefully when preparing your response.  The question allows you to showcase your relevant skills and experiences in detail, with a generous word limit of 500 words for your response. 

1. Describe a situation where you provided advanced social work assessment and intervention to a child and family experiencing a complex or life-changing circumstance. In your response, explain
   • How you assessed the psychosocial needs, strengths and circumstances of the child and family.
   • The key issues you identified through your assessment and how these informed your social work approach.
   • What theories and frameworks informed your approach.
2. For the same case, please describe:
   • The social work interventions you implemented and the clinical reasoning underpinning your approach;
   • How you supported the family through grief, loss, adjustment or uncertainty, where relevant;
3. For the same case, please describe how you worked with other clinicians and within your role as a Social Worker to provide care.

Your response should demonstrate your advanced clinical social work skills, understanding of family-centred practice, ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team, and capacity to achieve positive outcomes for children and families.

This response will be assessed against essential criteria 2 4, and 6 from the position description.

Selection Criteria: Please see the attached Job Description Form. 

For Further Job Related Information: We encourage you to contact Joanne McNamara on joanne.mcnamara@health.wa.gov.au or 0436 595 377 or 08 6456 0413 with any specific questions related to this role.

Help in submitting your application: If you experience technical difficulties while applying online, please contact Employee Services on 13 44 77 for immediate assistance during business hours.

for applicants to be considered for permanent positions in the public sector. Fixed term and/or casual contracts can be held by individuals on visas that allow working rights within Australia.

Eligibility to Apply: To be eligible for appointment, applicants must have valid Australian work rights. This includes visa holders. Permanent appointments may be made to individuals who hold citizenship, permanent residency, or visas that enable ongoing employment in Australia. 

Sponsorship is not currently available for this position.

Other Conditions: WA Health engages staff in positions of trust and responsibility. WA Health policies require applicants to undertake a criminal records screening and integrity checking as part of the appointment process. As well as undertaking a criminal record screening and integrity checking, you will also be required to undertake a working with children check and a pre-employment health assessment. We may ask referees to comment on your integrity and past demonstration of ethical behaviour. Please note that adverse information does not necessarily disqualify an applicant but will be considered as part of the appointment process.

WA Health is committed to eliminating all forms of discrimination in the provision of our service. We embrace diversity and strongly encourage applications from people from culturally diverse backgrounds and people with disabilities.

In addition, we are committed to growing our Aboriginal workforce as part of WA Health Aboriginal Workforce Policy. As a measure to achieve equality, Section 51 of the Equal Opportunity Act 1984 applies to this position and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are encouraged to apply.

This position is subject to a Western Australian Working with Children (WWC) Check. For further information please refer to the WWC website at: https://workingwithchildren.wa.gov.au

This is a recruitment pool, and as such the following should be noted.

• Suitable applicants will be placed in a pool from which appointments may be made when similar vacancies occur.
• Appointments may be made from this pool until 30 November 2027.

About CAHS

The Child and Adolescent Health Service (CAHS) is proud to be the leading service provider for paediatric healthcare in Western Australia, as the State’s only dedicated health service for infants, children, and young people. CAHS comprises three service areas: Perth Children’s Hospital (PCH) and Neonatology, Community Health, and Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS).

With over 7000 employees, our services are delivered at PCH and King Edward Memorial Hospitals (KEMH), as well as across a network of more than 160 community clinics across the Perth metropolitan area.

For further information about the benefits of working for CAHS, please click here and for further information regarding CAHS’ services, please click here

CAHS values: To achieve our vision of healthy kids, healthy communities, CAHS is committed to providing a workplace culture that is driven and shaped by our values of Compassion, Collaboration, Equity, Respect, Excellence and Accountability. During the selection process you may be assessed on your ability to fulfil the responsibilities of this position in accordance with the values. If you have any questions regarding this, please contact the person named in this advert. 

Support for your interview process

CAHS is committed to ensuring that our interview process meets the access needs of all applicants. If you require any reasonable adjustments to accommodate a disability, enhance access, or support your inclusion and success during the interview, please contact the CAHS Talent Acquisition Team prior to your interview.

You can reach the team via CAHS.talentacquisition@health.wa.gov.au or by calling 08 6456 0321. All enquiries will be treated confidentially.

Lodgement is system generated. Any submissions on, or after, 4:00pm on the closing date will not be accepted. 

LATE OR EMAIL APPLICATIONS CAN NOT BE CONSIDERED.