About us headspace provides support to young people aged 12-25 experiencing mild to moderate or emerging mental health issues. The multidisciplinary team at headspace Shellharbour and Kiama work to improve health, social, vocational and educational outcomes for young people. Grand Pacific Health is the lead agency of headspace Shellharbour and Kiama. We are a not-for-profit, primary health care organisation providing locally-tailored, high quality physical and mental health services across NSW and the ACT. About the position The position provides a welcoming first point of contact for young people and their family seeking support from headspace Shellharbour and Kiama. The Youth Access Worker will assess the mental health and psycho-social support needs of young people referred to headspace and in conjunction with the headspace team, provide early intervention counselling and support services. This will involve undertaking short-term counselling interventions, running therapeutic groups, conducting intake assessments, and coordinating appropriate supports and treatment streams within and external to headspace. This position is based across our headspace Shellharbour and Kiama hubs, available as a full-time opportunity fixed term until 30 June 2026 with possibility for extension. Part-time hours will be considered 3 days at headspace Shellharbour or 2 days at headspace Kiama. We are looking for someone with:

1. Qualifications or working towards same in a relevant field such as in youth work, social work, mental health nursing, psychology, peer work, occupational therapy, counselling, or other related qualifications or demonstrated experience in a similar role.
2. Demonstrated understanding of the health and wellbeing needs of young people with mental health and/or substance use problems including an ability to engage and communicate effectively with young people.
3. Demonstrated ability to undertake assessment and screening of young people and their families to determine care needs and assist to access necessary services.
4. Experience in providing counselling services to young people.

Why join GPH?

• Full-time positions have the opportunity to enjoy a Rostered Day Off each month.
• Flexible work arrangements to find your best work life balance
• Continuous learning and development opportunities
• Regular supervision and support
• Increase your take home pay with salary packaging of up to $15,900 in living expenses and an additional benefit of up to $2,650 in meals and entertainment
• We make a positive difference to the lives of those we support!

Interested? Visit our website www.gph.org.au/employment to download Position Description and our Employee Benefits Information and click the 'apply' button to submit your application. Please ensure that your application addresses the selection criteria detailed in the position description and include this in your application or it may mean that your application does not progress to the next step in our recruitment process. For more information contact: Charo Serventy, Service Manager – headspace Shellharbour and Kiama on [email protected] or call (02) 4225 5670. Applications close: 4 May 2025 *Please note that short-listing of candidates will commence prior to the closure of this role, so please do not delay submitting your application. We welcome applications from people with lived experience of mental health, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people from the LGBTQI community, young people from multicultural communities and people with a disability. Selected applicants will be asked to provide evidence of compliance with COVID-19 Vaccination.