Senior Practitioner – Social Worker

- Fixed-term position until June 2027
- Part-time: 4 days per week
- Based in Bentleigh East, with outreach across Residential Aged Care Facilities in south-east Melbourne
- Make a real difference in the lives of older people

We are seeking an experienced Senior Social Worker to provide therapeutic counselling and psychological support to older people living in Residential Aged Care Facilities.

Working within the RACF Wellbeing Support Service, you will deliver person-centred, evidence-based interventions that support residents experiencing mild to moderate mental health concerns. You will also provide discipline-specific expertise, work collaboratively with aged care staff and oversee Social Work students completing placements within the program.

As a not-for-profit organisation, Better Health Network supports people and families at different stages of life and works with communities to strengthen health and wellbeing. We believe that better health and wellbeing is built around community.

About the role

As the Senior Practitioner – Social Worker, you will work independently across allocated Residential Aged Care Facilities, becoming an integrated member of the care environment while remaining connected to BHN’s Mental Health and Community Services program.

Your responsibilities will include:

- Providing outreach counselling and evidence-based psychological and psychosocial interventions to older people
- Completing comprehensive, holistic assessments and developing individualised strategies that support recovery and wellbeing
- Delivering individual wellbeing sessions and facilitating group sessions where appropriate
- Undertaking mental state and risk assessments, monitoring client wellbeing and developing safety and wellness plans
- Working collaboratively with residents, families, carers,



RACF staff, GPs and other members of the care team
- Providing specialist Social Work advice and building the capability of RACF staff and other care providers
- Supporting student selection and orientation, and providing operational and clinical supervision to Social Work students
- Maintaining accurate records and meeting relevant quality, compliance and reporting requirements.

About you

You will be an experienced Social Worker with a strong background in mental health, aged care or services supporting older adults. You will be confident working autonomously across multiple facilities while applying sound professional judgement and contributing positively to multidisciplinary care.

To be successful, you will bring:

- A tertiary qualification in Social Work
- Membership, or eligibility for membership, with the Australian Association of Social Workers
- At least five years’ practitioner experience in mental health and/or services supporting older adults
- Demonstrated experience delivering evidence-based therapeutic interventions
- An understanding of, and commitment to, the Social Model of Health
- Knowledge of best-practice approaches and effective treatments for older people living in Residential Aged Care Facilities
- Leadership experience and strong clinical supervision skills, with the ability to create a positive learning environment for students
- Solid risk assessment,



stakeholder engagement and multidisciplinary collaboration skills
- The ability to work autonomously and provide person-centred, outcomes-focused services
- A current full or probationary driver’s licence.

Desirable:

- Accredited Mental Health Social Worker status.

Why join BHN?

At BHN, you’ll join a values-driven organisation that genuinely cares about its people and the communities it serves. We offer:

- Flexible work arrangements to support work-life balance
- Salary packaging benefits to increase your take-home pay
- Professional development and learning opportunities
- A collaborative and supportive team culture
- The opportunity to make a meaningful impact every day.

Location
This role is primarily based at 2A Gardeners Road, Bentleigh East, with regular outreach work across Residential Aged Care Facilities and other BHN locations in south-east Melbourne.

Apply now

Apply with your résumé and cover letter describing why you would like to join the team and how your experience aligns with the role.

Applications will be assessed as received, so early applications are encouraged.

For enquiries about the role, please contact Maria Garda Ortiz at ******@bhn.org.au

We value Accountability, Collaboration, Respect and Courage, and we strive to create an inclusive environment that welcomes people from all backgrounds, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, culturally and linguistically diverse, and LGBTQIA+ communities.

Pre-employment checks include reference checks, a National Police Check, Working with Children Check, NDIS Worker Screening Check, Aged Care Statutory Declaration, Aged Care Worker Banning Order Check, evidence of the right to work in Australia, confirmation of AASW membership eligibility and proof of required immunisation.
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📌 Senior Practitioner – Social Worker (Bentleigh East)
🏢 Better Health Network
📍 Bentleigh East