Classification: Health Professional Level 4
Salary: $127,597 - $141,511 plus superannuation
Position No: 70384
Directorate: Education
Advertised (Gazettal date): 08 December 2025
Contact Officer: Kate Thornber on Kate.Thornber@act.gov.au or (02) 6207 7670

Details: Schools across the ACT are increasingly supporting students with complex medical needs that require coordination across multiple services and stakeholders. These responsibilities often fall to school staff, who may not have the time, expertise, or resources to manage them effectively. To better support schools, the ACT Education Directorate is seeking Expressions of Interest from qualified Social Workers to join the Healthcare Services in Schools team. This role will provide targeted coordination and support to schools, working alongside educators, families, health professionals, and Directorate staff, to ensure students receive the care they need, without placing the burden of coordination solely on schools. The position sits within the Healthcare Services in Schools Team, part of the Wellbeing Inclusion Policy, and Service Design (WIPSD) Team, and will receive clinical supervision from Clinical Practice.

The Social Worker will play a key role in supporting schools to manage the interface between health, education, and family systems. The focus is on ensuring continuity of care, improving communication between stakeholders, and supporting schools to navigate service pathways and responsibilities. This includes advocating for students, assisting with service coordination, liaising with health services, and contributing to safe, inclusive, and well-supported school environments.

The ideal candidate will be experienced in working with children and families and have a strong understanding of healthcare services in the ACT. They will be able to work independently and part of a team as well as have excellent interpersonal and collaborative skills. They will have the skills and capacity to impact positively on student outcomes through their delivery of psychosocial interventions in collaboration with students, families and the interprofessional team.

Eligibility/Other Requirements: In accordance with Directorate Policies:

Provide service coordination for students with complex health issues, to facilitate timely and appropriate information sharing between families, schools, healthcare providers and support services.

Provide or facilitate direct service delivery to students with complex health issues, to strengthen their participation and engagement in education. This may include social work assessments, service coordination, psychosocial interventions, and complex case management with students and families.

Provide information, advice and professional learning to teachers, school leaders, support staff and other allied health professionals to enhance the teaching and support of students with complex needs.

Ability to work independently, while working effectively within an interprofessional team. This includes consulting and collaborating with key stakeholders, such as teachers, parents, carers, school administrators and external agencies to support and enhance student learning and wellbeing.

Contribute to the operational planning of the Healthcare Service in Schools program, including emergency response and risk registers.

Contribute to the development of guidelines and procedures that promote safe and effective service delivery in schools.

Compliance with guidelines in relation to the use, maintenance, and storage of clinical records.

Consistently model and demonstrate the principles of the ACTPS Respect, Equity and Diversity (RED) Framework 2010, ACTPS Code of Conduct 2012 (inc. Values and Signature Behaviours) and lead safe work practices that are in accordance with the Directorate’s Cultural Integrity Continuum and Health, Safety and Wellbeing Safety Management System Framework.

Mandatory:

Tertiary qualifications in Social Work.
A minimum of four years, or equivalent, post-graduate experience.
Membership with the Australian Association of Social Workers or eligibility for membership.
Current drivers licence essential, including access to a private vehicle for work purposes.
Prior to commencing this role, a current registration issued under the Working with Vulnerable People (Background Checking) Act 2011 is required. For further information on Working with Vulnerable People registration refer to - Apply for or renew a WWVP registration - Access Canberra (act.gov.au)

Highly desirable:

Relevant experience in an education, hospital and/or community health setting.
Knowledge of the HAAS program and ACT Education Directorate policies.
A comprehensive knowledge of healthcare services and programs in the ACT, and established connections with the health sector

Notes: This is a temporary position available from 26 January 2026 to 30 June 2026 with the possibility of extension up to 12 months and/or permanency.

All positions will be provided support appropriate to the HP level, and clinical supervision requirements. The successful applicant may be asked to work across the Canberra region.

A Merit Pool will be established from this selection process and will be used to fill vacancies over the next 12 months. Selection may be based on application and referee reports only.

How to Apply: Applications must include the following;

A statement against the selection criteria: This should summarise how your skills, personal qualities and experiences would enable you to fulfil the responsibilities of the position (maximum two pages).
A current curriculum vitae: Your curriculum vitae is your introduction to the selection committee and includes personal details, professional experience, and qualifications. It may also contain a list of publications, presentations, awards or honours, affiliations with professional associations and community interests relevant to the capabilities.
Two referees: Provide names and contact details of two referees with a thorough knowledge of your work performance and outlook. Ensure that one of the referees is your current or immediate past supervisor. Referees may be contacted at any time during the selection process, and the panel may request a written or verbal referee report. Referees will not be contacted without your knowledge.

Applications should be submitted .

Where an offer of employment is for a fixed-term period, any related temporary contracts within the Territory will be issued in compliance with the requirements and applicable exceptions outlined in the Fair Work Act.

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