Are you looking for a new and unique career opportunity?

We are seeking motivated psychologists, who are passionate about improving the lives of young people and their families to join our clinical team.

Graduates are encouraged to apply!

About the role

This is your chance to join Youth Justice Psychological Services during this new and exciting time of change.

Be part of a highly supportive team of multidisciplinary professionals, working together to enact change for young people – both in detention and in the community.

Our team of psychologists provide assessment and intervention for young people throughout Western Australia. Youth Justice Psychological Services provides both individual and group interventions. We utilise evidence-based frameworks to reduce offending and improve the trajectory for young people in the Youth Justice system. Psychologists in Youth Justice develop skills working with complex young people with a variety of challenges including mental health, neurodevelopmental, complex trauma and a range of offending patterns.

Our team works in both custody and in community centres. The role is diverse and incorporates clinical intervention, forensic assessment and consultation. You will be supported to develop your capacity to apply forensic instruments, assessment and intervention. For psychologists working in custody, you will have opportunities to provide through-care interventions to clients as they exit custody and into the community. For psychologists working in community centres, you will have opportunities to provide through-care interventions for clients who may enter custody. Opportunities for travel to all areas within WA are available, with the chance to learn about and engage first-hand with Indigenous cultures from around the state. In all settings, you will work with many individual clients and get involved in interagency strategies to create change.

Working in Custody.

In custody, we are currently offering brand new services and implementing an enhanced model of care. The model reflects best practice in Youth Justice and will focus on rehabilitation through a trauma-informed, therapeutic approach. Some initiatives, that operate alongside of Youth Justice Psychological Services:

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 intensive mentoring program in the centre, which is available to assist the centre to meet the needs of young people with complex needs;

A diverse range of therapeutic programs, including art therapy, trauma informed yoga, and therapy animal programs;

Creation of an Aboriginal Services Unit, which includes additional Aboriginal Youth Support Officers, Aboriginal Support Officers, Aboriginal Mental Health workers and a Manager Aboriginal Services;

Increasing access for young people to cultural programs and activities;

A new rewards and incentives program, based on best practice;

A partnership with Telethon Kids Institute, which will look to enhance a research focus in Youth Justice, provide additional training for staff and review assessment processes with young people.

The development of a new Crises Care (Trauma Informed) Unit at Banksia Hill Detention Centre.

Working in the Community.

Many young people in Youth Justice are placed on Community-based orders and are case-managed by Youth Justice staff who work in community centres, alongside psychologists. Young people who are involved with Youth Justice often have complex needs. They may have experienced trauma, have psycho-social challenges, neurodevelopmental difficulties and mental health concerns.

In Community Youth Justice centres, psychologists are highly valued for their expertise and provide; assessment, evidence-based interventions and consultation, in order to reduce offending. Psychologists also prepare Pre-sentence assessments and Fitness to Stand Trial assessments for the Children’s Courts across the state. Psychologists work in both the metropolitan area and regionally. Opportunities for fly-in, fly-out work are also available for those interested.

Benefits and Opportunities

Fast track your psychology career. You will have access to learning and development 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)

Registrars and psychologists with general registration are encouraged to apply with easy capacity to achieve client contact hours.

For those psychologists who are more experienced, this is a great opportunity to expand your experience and focus on driving and supporting systemic change to assist clients.

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.

Career pathway opportunities. These include opportunities to develop into supervisory positions (with board approved supervisor training funded for those eligible), or leadership / management roles (such as Team Leader Psychologist roles).

Relocation costs for applicants relocating from Interstate or New Zealand (conditions apply).

Enjoy job security whilst working for the Public Sector. Salary sacrificing options are available.

Why join the team?

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.

Want to find out more about this role?

To find out more about this opportunity and how to apply for this position, follow the direct link below.

https://search.jobs.wa.gov.au/page.php?pageID=160&windowUID=0&AdvertID=380642

Applications must be received before Monday, 23 June 2025 at 4:30pm.