Senior Social Worker | Community Acute Intervention Outreach team (Geelong, VIC, Australia, 3226)

Employment Type - Temporary Full Time Hours per fortnight - 80 Job Category - Social Worker Grade 4 Req Id - 7609 Build your career with Victoria’s largest regional health service Join a tertiary mental health and AOD team delivering acute, community-based intervention when it matters most. Make a measurable difference at the point of crisis. About the role The Community Acute Intervention Service (AIS) is a 7-day-a-week, two-shift tertiary multidisciplinary mental health and alcohol and other drug (AOD) service. The team operates as a critical interface between Emergency Department, Triage, and ongoing community mental health services. AIS provides: Assessment of consumers triaged as Category B (CAT B) and Category C (CAT C) Brief tertiary intervention (up to 28 days) for consumers aged 16–65 experiencing an acute phase of mental illness and/or AOD use who are not currently engaged in community mental health services Post-Emergency Department follow-up for consumers discharged without referral to other tertiary mental health services The Senior Social Worker plays a pivotal clinical leadership role within this service. You will deliver evidence-based, systems-oriented interventions to consumers and their families/carers during periods of acute mental health crisis and AOD complexity. Working assertively in community settings, you will support stabilisation, strengthen social systems, reduce risk, and enable safe transition to ongoing care pathways. This role sits within MHDAS and contributes directly to whole-of-service objectives, including: Reducing avoidable emergency presentations and admissions Strengthening community-based crisis response Enhancing system integration across acute, community and AOD streams Supporting implementation of recovery-oriented and trauma-informed practice aligned to the Mental Health and Wellbeing Act 2022 (Vic) Key Responsibilities Deliver advanced psychosocial assessment and systems-based intervention for consumers experiencing acute mental illness and/or AOD complexity, including risk formulation and crisis response. Provide family-inclusive, recovery-oriented practice, strengthening social systems and supporting safe stabilisation during acute phases of care (up to 28 days). Lead clinical decision-making and contribute discipline-specific expertise within a tertiary multidisciplinary team, including secondary consultation and supervision support. Strengthen service integration and continuity of care, building partnerships across Emergency Department, community mental health teams, and external stakeholders to reduce avoidable re-presentations. What We Are Looking For Extensive experience in acute mental health and/or AOD settings, with demonstrated advanced risk assessment and crisis intervention capability. Highly developed systems-based social work practice, including family work and complex psychosocial formulation. Proven clinical leadership capability, including contribution to service quality improvement and multidisciplinary collaboration. Strong understanding of recovery-oriented, trauma-informed, and culturally safe practice, aligned with contemporary Victorian public mental health reform. Position Description Please note Barwon Health will only contact you via our official email and never use unconventional means, such as text messaging or other services. Barwon Health staff benefits Excellent working conditions and a strong sense of job satisfaction A vibrant staff wellbeing program and access to our 24/7 Employee Assistance Program Extensive professional development opportunities Attractive salary packaging benefits Living expenses capped at $9,010 Meals and entertainment capped at $2,650 For more information about working at Barwon Health , please click Here Diversity and Inclusion Barwon Health is an inclusive and welcoming employer, committed to reflecting the diverse communities we serve. We value and celebrate people of all genders, sexual orientations, cultural backgrounds, faiths, abilities, family structures, and identities, and encourage applications from Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disability, culturally and linguistically diverse communities, and members of the LGBTIQA+ community. Child Safety We are strongly committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people. Click here for further information on the Victorian Government’s Child Safe Standards : About Child Safe Standards | Victorian Government (www.vic.gov.au) Additional information If you need adjustments to participate in the recruitment process, please contact us at [email protected] All appointments are subject to: Satisfactory Police Record Check Immunisation Status Clearance Working with Children Check (if applicable) To apply, you will need a resume and a tailored cover letter outlining your skills, experience, and suitability for the position in line with the requirements of the position description. Please note: We do not accept resumes via email. Contact person: Stephen Bowness | Manager | AIS Outreach Team Email: [email protected] Phone: 0448 823 693 Mon - Fri 8:30am - 4:30pm Application closing date: Tuesday 28, April 2026 Internal applicants: If you are currently employed at Barwon Health, please ensure you sign in via the Employee Login on the external Careers Page or access the Careers Page through the intranet before applying. Shortlisting may commence prior to the closing date - early applications are encouraged.