Team Leader- Social Worker

Are you a passionate mental health professional looking to make a real impact? We’re seeking a dynamic Team Leader with experience in counselling, social work, clinical oversight, and operational management to drive impactful mental health services.

About the Role

The Team Leader – Workforce Mental Health Support (WMHS) leads the daily operations and strategic development of the WMHS service stream, which provides free counselling and therapeutic support to participants engaged with the Department of Employment and Workforce Relations’ (DEWR) Workforce Australia program.

This newly created position plays a pivotal leadership role within the program. The ideal candidate is a qualified Social Worker with a strong background in counselling, team leadership, and clinical oversight. They will also be responsible for establishing a new social work component of the program, including the development of related policies, procedures, and resources.

This role includes day-to-day operational oversight, ensuring clinicians are effectively utilized, workloads are balanced, and service delivery remains consistent, responsive, and of high quality. The position also involves clinical supervision, stakeholder engagement, project management, and maintaining a small client caseload as required.

Role Responsibilities:

1. Clinical and Program Leadership

Provide clinical oversight and support to a multidisciplinary team including psychologists, counsellors, and social workers.

Serve as the primary point of clinical escalation for team members.

Maintain a small therapeutic caseload, ensuring best-practice, trauma-informed approaches.

Oversee day-to-day operations of the service stream, ensuring that clinicians are well-supported, their time is effectively allocated, and operational issues are resolved efficiently.

Establish and embed a dedicated social work service within the program, including policy, procedure, and resource development.

2. Program Development & Quality Improvement

Lead ongoing program evaluation and continuous improvement initiatives.

Develop and implement innovative service delivery models (e.g., group work, outreach, telehealth).

Monitor and report on program performance and outcomes in alignment with FSA’s Strategic Plan.

Contribute to funding submissions and service design improvements aligned with best practice and client needs.

3. Human Resources & Team Management

Manage and support a geographically diverse team of mental health clinicians, fostering a positive and inclusive workplace culture.

Oversee equitable clinician caseloads and ensure staff are utilized effectively across all service areas.

Provide clinical supervision, mentoring, and performance support to team members.

Address internal and external complaints and grievances related to the program.

Lead team training needs analysis and coordinate relevant professional development.

Participate in and support the achievement of organisational culture and engagement goals (e.g., Employee Satisfaction rating ≥ 85%).

4. Stakeholder Engagement

Develop and maintain strong relationships with key internal and external stakeholders.

Represent the WMHS program in cross-organisational working groups and leadership forums.

Collaborate with other FSA service streams and external partners to advance strategic objectives.

5. Scheduling and Service Delivery

Coordinate and monitor the allocation of clients to clinicians to ensure efficient use of clinical time and balanced workloads.

Lead team scheduling and programming to reflect client needs, clinician availability, and service priorities.

Monitor service trends and adjust delivery models accordingly to maintain high-quality and timely care.

Identify workforce gaps and use data-informed strategies to support equitable access and responsiveness.

6. Governance, Compliance & Risk

Ensure program compliance with all quality assurance frameworks (e.g., ISO, HSQS, IT security).

Maintain contractual compliance with DEWR, including the Workforce Australia Deed of Standing Offer and associated guidelines.

Contribute to internal and external audits.

Lead local implementation of risk control plans to ensure program risks are managed within acceptable limits.

7. Technical Practice and Innovation

Work within FSA’s Therapeutic Practice Framework (TPF) and uphold ethical standards of the social work profession.

Stay current with evidence-based approaches in trauma-informed care, counselling, and social work.

Ensure the program meets therapeutic outcomes required by funding bodies and supports best-practice delivery.

Essential Criteria

Qualification as a Social Worker (undergraduate or Masters).

Registration with the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW).

Current Working with Children Check number and valid Police Check.

Minimum 5 years (FTE) clinical experience working with adults with diverse mental health presentations.

Excellent knowledge of evidence-based and trauma-informed practice.

Strong policy and procedure development skills.

Proven ability to support and manage a team of clinicians.

Demonstrated experience working within multidisciplinary teams.

High-level organisational skills, including managing competing deadlines.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Demonstrated application of reflective practice and self-care principles.

Experience in developing and maturing service delivery models.

Current unrestricted Driver’s Licence and willingness to travel.

Desirable Criteria

Experience managing remote teams.

Why you’ll love working for us:

Paid Annual Family Days at Easter and Christmas (5 additional paid days per year)

Annual leave loading 17.5%

87.7% employee satisfaction

Professional development and training opportunities

Corporate discounts through Employment Hero (e.g. Movie tickets, JB HiFi, Uber Eats, Coles & Woolworth's)

Annual Training, Learning and Development Plan including a generous yearly CPD budget and external supervision stipend;

Professional, community-focused and person-centered team culture;

About Family Services Australia (FSA)

Family Services Australia is a non-for-profit organisation that has been servicing the Illawarra region since 1992. We are a leader in trauma-informed practice, offering a range of services

including Early Intervention, Child, Youth & Family, Domestic & Family Violence, Intensive Family Preservation and Health & Wellbeing which provides psychology, diagnostic assessment, peer support, mental health support and counselling.

FSA offers a clinically informed central triage and continuity of care with reduced referral pathways that holistically meet therapeutic needs of our staff, clients and families, keeping them Safe, Well, Strong and Connected.

FSA values diversity in managing and reducing therapeutic risks for the clients we service, demonstrating values of Compassion, Accountability, Respect, Empowerment (CARE) with Integrity and Positivity. We make CARE our Intellectual Property, starting within, prioritising self-love, self-care and balance.

If you are committed to achieving this exciting life and career opportunity in joining our family@work, please ‘Apply Now’ by submitting a current resume, cover letter and address the selection criteria.

Early applications are encouraged! Applications will be reviewed as received!

For any initial inquiries please contact Chelsea Harvey, HR & Recruitment Consultant on 0437 029 058 or email [email protected].

Thank you sincerely for your consideration, we greatly appreciate your interest in FSA and advise only final preferred candidates will be contacted for next steps in our recruitment process.