Graduate Social Worker

• Are you about to graduate or recently graduated in Social Work?
• Multiple full time, fixed term 2-year positions (SW1) to commence mid-2023
• Be part of a supportive, collaborative and interdisciplinary allied health graduate and psychology registrar program
• Rotational positions across all Forensicare directorates
• Extensive investment in facilities and people supporting our significant service expansion.

A career in the forensic mental health sector is diverse, challenging and rewarding. A career at Forensicare will be like no other. If you’re passionate about supporting people in their mental health recovery, Forensicare is where you need to be. You will be a part of a caring and supportive team, making a real difference to people living with the dual stigma of mental illness and offending. We approach our work with curiosity and a commitment to understanding the unique needs of our consumers and carers. Working across community, hospital and prison settings, you can learn, apply your specialist skills, conduct research and advance in your profession. Together, we can contribute to a more connected, compassionate mental health and criminal justice system.

Graduate Social Workers are an integral part of Forensicare’s commitment to progressing the disciplines into the future while supporting the increased demand for forensic mental health services. The Allied Health & Psychology Graduate/Registrar Program is designed to provide structured, supported opportunities for qualified, entry-level health professionals to gain forensic mental health expertise and consolidate both theoretical and practical skills in a range of forensic settings. The graduate/registrar program facilitates an expansion of skills and experience through movement across inpatient, community and prison-based services.

Job location

These are rotational positions and will be available across all Forensicare sites including:

• Thomas Embling Hospital
• Community Forensic Mental Health Service
• Prison-based services

About the Role:

Graduates within the program will have the access to regular discipline-specific clinical supervision, monthly interdisciplinary educations sessions, regular interdisciplinary group supervision, dedicated self-directed learning time, in addition to other discipline-specific supports. Working with a limited case load, within the boundaries of the relevant professions and under the direct mentorship and supervision of experienced social workers, you will:

Duties:

• Work alongside clients, families and carers to identify and give voice to consumer led goals and recovery priories. Graduate Social Workers will be supported to promote the person-in-environment perspective within the clinical teams they work. 
• Demonstrate an appreciation of the importance of inter-disciplinary teamwork and of connections with the broader service network.
• Plan, develop, facilitate and evaluate therapeutic group programs in collaboration with the multidisciplinary team.
• Other duties in line with the requirements of your discipline. 
• Contribute to maintaining a safe therapeutic environment through the use of relational security principles and physical interventions as required. (Training will be provided).  

About You:

• You are committed to forensic mental health consumer recovery.
• Demonstrated commitment to the delivery of quality, recovery-focused mental health care coupled with an awareness of the issues of care-delivery in forensic mental health.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and cooperatively in a multidisciplinary team environment, using well-developed interpersonal and communication skills to achieve team goals.
• A demonstrated commitment to learning through analysis of own performance, engaging in clinical supervision and professional development, and a commitment to applying this knowledge to practice.

What you need:

• Completion or near completion of an approved degree in Social Work and eligibility for membership of the Australian Association of Social Workers.

A culture where people matter.

• Discipline-specific support from our clinical educators and senior supervisory staff to support the wellbeing and success of our graduates and registrars.
• Excellent supervision and investment in the skill development of all our team members including provision for Study Leave
• University linkages and Partnership with the Centre for Forensic Behavioural Science providing opportunity to participate in Research projects.
• Well defined career pathways existing across our Directorates with multi-disciplined teams.
• Salary Packaging Options available – Mortgage, Rent, Car, Expenses
• A leading, multi-faceted approach to safety, with unparalleled strategic, practical, individualised and team-based supports to minimise risks and fear and maximise safety and security, underpinned by our workplace health and safety strategy.
• Celebration and reward for good performance, through employee recognition.
• Access to an employee assistance program – an external, confidential, self-referral employee wellbeing program, for personal or work-related matters. 
• A mental health and wellbeing program providing psychological, peer support and critical incidence response programs.

For more information on Careers at Forensicare, visit https://www.forensicare.vic.gov.au/careers

To find out more about our Allied Health Graduate and Psychology Registrar Program visit https://www.forensicare.vic.gov.au/careers/allied-health-graduate-program/.

Eligibility

• COVID19 & Influenza Vaccination Evidence
• This position is subject to a Police Check and Working with Children Check
• Evidence of eligibility of membership of the AASW is required

Forensicare is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to attracting and developing a diverse workforce which reflects the community we serve. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people who identify as LGBTQI, people with a lived experience of disability, as well as people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Forensicare promotes our guiding principles of curiosity, purpose, strong ethics, compassion and fairness; and promotes behaviours that are consistent with these values at all times. Forensicare is an equal opportunity employer and offers a smoke free environment.