We are seeking an experienced psychologist, who is passionate and motivated to support ongoing change and enhancements in youth detention.
Relocation supports available to Interstate and New Zealand applicants.
This is a permanent, full time vacancy.
About Justice
When you join the Department of Justice, you become part of a people-focused organisation, working hard to make our community a fairer and safer place to live. We offer many different employment opportunities in locations around Western Australia. You will have a chance to make a real difference to your local communities and to the lives of those you work with.
About the role
In recognition of the unique needs of young people, Corrective Services established the Young People Directorate in mid 2024. This Directorate is responsible for providing youth justice services in the community and managing youth detention facilities. Since becoming a stand-alone directorate, the Young People Directorate have commenced the implementation of an enhanced model of care. This model reflects best practice and focuses on rehabilitation through a trauma-informed, therapeutic approach. Some initiatives under this model of care so far include:
- The establishment of the Neurodevelopmental and Mental Health Service in custody. This team works alongside Youth Justice Psychological Services and includes neuropsychologists, a psychiatrist, a speech pathologist, paediatric services and increased access to clinical nurse specialists.
- The development of a new Crises Care Unit at Banksia Hill Detention Centre, which will offer a trauma-informed, health-led unit for particularly vulnerable young people.
- Increased focus on cultural safety and security including the creation of an Aboriginal Services Unit, establishment of an Aboriginal Elders and Leaders Cultural Mentoring program, cultural programs and activities facilitated by Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs). Along with co-design a cultural security framework with one of our key partners, the Council of Aboriginal Services Western Australia (CASWA), to drive positive change for Aboriginal young people, their families, kin and the community.
The Team Leader Psychologist is responsible for providing support, leadership and supervision to the team of psychologists and programs staff in youth detention. They support the Principal Psychologist (Custody) in maintaining a consistent and high standard of psychological service, while also providing a psychological service to young people and their families at an experienced level. The Team Leader Psychologist is influential in psychologically informing practices and policies to facilitate positive outcomes for young people in our care, and continue to support the implementation of the Model of Care. We are looking for applicants who are passionate about supporting positive change.
To give you a taste of Youth Detention the following links provide a picture of some of the programs and recent initiatives.
#reconciliationwa #nrw2025 #bridgingnowtonext #correctiveservices #jointhemovement #nationalreconciliationweek2025 | Department of Justice | 10 comments
Purple Hands Foundation, the charitable arm of the Fremantle Dockers, has reached out to young people in Department of Justice care at Banksia Hill Detention Centre to deliver an impactful program… | Department of Justice
Ex-detainee returns to Banksia Hill as role model | Department of Justice posted on the topic | LinkedIn
Eligibility
Qualification - Eligibility for endorsement as a Clinical/Counselling/Forensic psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia / Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) OR; Tertiary Degree qualification in Psychology and holds ‘General Registration’ as a Psychologist with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
Permanent positions – To be eligible for appointment to permanent positions in the West Australian Public Sector you must be an Australian citizen or have permanent resident status in Australia.
WWC positions – In accordance with the National Child Safety Principles, people who work directly with children and young people, you must have a current Working with Children Check or be able to successfully apply for one to be eligible for appointment to this position.
Benefits and opportunities
- Flexible working arrangements
- Career pathway opportunities
- Professional development and training opportunities, with high quality supervision at no additional cost, funded professional development opportunities, study leave of up to 5 days per year to attend approved external professional development, and strong team support.
- AHPRA registration cost paid by the department (conditions apply)
- Professional supervision
- Experience and travel around Regional WA combined with paid travel and accommodation, organised by the Department. Note: Travelling regionally is optional, for those interested and willing.
- Health and wellbeing programs including Fitness passport providing a wide range of gym, pool, and fitness centre discounts available for employees and their families.
- Check out the attached Applicant Information Pack to find out other benefits of working for Justice.
- Relocation assistance/allowance available for applicants relocating from Interstate or New Zealand
Application process
How to apply
Please ensure you review the attached Job Description Form (JDF) for further information about the requirements of the position. This information will assist you with the preparation of your application.
We require you to submit:
- A comprehensive Resume / Curriculum Vitae, that clearly outlines your transferable skills, experience and highlights your key achievements.
- A copy of your current registration as outlined in the above Eligibility section.
- A one (1) page statement addressing your relevant experience and overall suitability to the role as defined within the attached JDF.
- Contact details of two work related referees.
All remaining Job-Related Requirements will be assessed at a later stage in the recruitment process.
Subsequent Vacancies
Applicants found suitable but not recommended for this vacancy, may be considered for subsequent similar vacancies in the Department of Justice for a period of twelve (12) months, in accordance with Part 5 (General Appointment) of the Commissioner's Instructions No. 2: Filling a Public Sector Vacancy and Commissioner’s Instructions and No. 39: Interim Arrangements to Fill Public Sector Vacancies. Permanent, fixed term, full time and part time appointments may be offered during this period.
For further job-related information
If you would like further information regarding the vacancy please contact Sarah Dina, A/Principal Psychologist (Custody) on (08) 9333 2279 or Sarah.Dina@justice.wa.gov.au for a confidential discussion. Please note that Sarah works part-time and is available on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Equity and Diversity
The Department of Justice is committed to building a workplace culture that values diversity and inclusion. We actively promote the employment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability, youth, people of diverse sexualities and genders, women, culturally and linguistically diverse people, and other diversity groups.
Aboriginal job seekers may contact the Aboriginal Workforce Development Team on aboriginalworkforcedevelopment@justice.wa.gov.au or call (08) 9264 1700 for culturally appropriate application advice.
Applicants with disability requiring adjustments or accessibility support at any stage of the selection process can contact the hiring manager as listed under the ‘Further Information’ section or contact the Diversity and Inclusion team on WorkforceDiversity@justice.wa.gov.au or (08) 9264 1700 for a confidential discussion.
Submitting your application
Applicants are requested to apply online. To submit your application, click the “Apply for Job” button at the bottom of this advertisement.
Please ensure you allow sufficient time to submit your application, as late applications will not be accepted.
If you are having difficulty submitting your online application, please telephone RAMS Helpdesk ramshelpdesk@bigredsky.com on 1300 733 056 for assistance.
To keep you up to date on what is happening in Department of Justice and job opportunities you can go directly to the departments website or follow us on social media.
The Department of Justice has introduced a smoke-free policy, which has been fully implemented across all women’s prisons and the Academy, with all other prison sites to follow before the end of 2025.
