Parkville Youth Mental Health and Wellbeing Service (PYMHWS) is a new, dedicated public youth mental health service and is the first of its kind in Australia. We are looking for a passionate and dedicated individual to join our team.

Senior Mental Health Clinician, Children’s Court Mental Health Advice and Response Service (CCMHARS)

Community Forensic Youth Mental Health Service (FYMHS)

Parkville Youth Mental Health and Wellbeing Service (PYMHWS)

Permanent Ongoing | Full-Time – 1.0 FTE | 📍 Wyndham and other sites

Provide expert mental health assessment and advice to the Children’s Court, informing timely, evidence-based decision-making.

• Work within a highly skilled, multidisciplinary forensic mental health team 
• Permanent Ongoing | Full-time 1.0 EFT | Wyndham and other sites
• Salary Packaging | Monthly ADO | 5 weeks Annual Leave

About Us: 

Parkville Youth Mental Health and Wellbeing Service (PYMHWS) is Victoria’s newest public mental health service dedicated to the care of young people aged 12 to 25 experiencing complex mental health challenges.   

PYMHWS is leading a bold and values-driven transformation in youth mental health care across Melbourne’s north and west. We exist to walk alongside young people, their families, carers, supporters and kin delivering care that is accessible, inclusive, developmentally appropriate, evidence-informed, and grounded in lived experience. Our service model is shaped by the voices of young people and their communities, and underpinned by a commitment to safety, equity, and continuous learning. 

At PYMHWS, we are working with our community and partners to build in a future where all young people can access world-class mental health support, close to home. As we grow, we are looking for passionate, skilled, and visionary professionals to join us in shaping a new era of youth mental health in Victoria.   

The Opportunity: 

Join a dynamic, specialist forensic youth mental health service at the interface of mental health and justice. As a Senior Mental Health Clinician within the Children’s Court Mental Health Advice and Response Service (CCMHARS), you will play a key role in delivering high-quality mental health assessment, consultation, and advice to the Children’s Court. 

In this role, you will undertake timely, evidence-informed assessments of young people presenting with complex and emerging mental health needs, contributing to clinical formulation, risk assessment, and recommendations that directly inform court decision-making. You will provide specialist advice to magistrates, legal representatives, and court stakeholders, supporting improved understanding of mental health presentations and appropriate pathways for care. 

Working within a multidisciplinary and cross-sector environment, you will collaborate closely with Youth Justice, community services, and mental health providers to support coordinated, trauma-informed responses and continuity of care. 

This is a unique opportunity to apply advanced clinical skills in a fast-paced, high-impact setting, contributing to early intervention and improved outcomes for vulnerable young people in the justice system. 

Why Join PYMHWS? 

• Be part of building a legacy for youth mental health in Victoria
• Work within a highly skilled, multidisciplinary forensic mental health team 
• Salary packaging options, up to $11,600 tax free earnings
• 5 weeks annual leave plus monthly ADO for full time employees
• Flexible working arrangements including remote work options where possible
• Access to Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and a strong focus on staff wellbeing 
• Fitness Passport membership
• Flexible, inclusive, and supportive workplace culture
• Ongoing professional development, supervision and growth pathways 

About the Role: 

The Senior Mental Health Clinician (CCMHARS) provides specialist forensic mental health assessment, consultation, and advice within the Children’s Court. The role is responsible for delivering timely, evidence-informed clinical input to support court decision-making for young people presenting with complex, high-risk, and emerging mental health needs. 

Key responsibilities include: 

• Conduct comprehensive mental health assessments, including risk assessment and clinical formulation.  

• Provide clear, concise, and clinically sound advice to magistrates, legal representatives, and court stakeholders. 

• Support identification of appropriate treatment pathways, including referral to community and specialist mental health services. 

• Work collaboratively with Youth Justice, legal services, and multidisciplinary providers to ensure coordinated, trauma-informed responses. 

• Contribute to early intervention strategies to reduce escalation of risk and justice system involvement. 

• Maintain high standards of clinical documentation, professional practice, and adherence to legislative and governance frameworks  

This role requires the ability to work autonomously in a fast-paced court environment, apply advanced clinical reasoning, and communicate complex mental health information clearly to a range of stakeholders. 

What You'll Do: 

In this role, you will apply your clinical expertise in a fast-paced court environment to support better outcomes for young people and: 

• Deliver timely, high-quality mental health assessments for young people presenting before the Children’s Court. 

• Provide clear, evidence-informed clinical advice to magistrates, legal representatives, and court stakeholders. 

• Undertake risk assessment and clinical formulation to inform decision-making and care pathways. 

• Identify and facilitate appropriate referrals to community and specialist mental health services. 

• Work collaboratively with Youth Justice, legal services, and multidisciplinary teams to support coordinated care. 

• Contribute to early intervention and diversion from deeper justice system involvement where appropriate. 

• Maintain accurate clinical documentation and uphold professional, legal, and governance standards 

About You: 

You are an experienced and confident Senior Mental Health Clinician with advanced assessment skills and the ability to apply clinical expertise within complex, high-risk environments. You are skilled at translating clinical information into clear, practical advice for non-clinical stakeholders and thrive working at the interface of mental health and justice.

• Eligible disciplines: RPN, Occupational Therapist, Social Worker Grade 5 / Psychologist Grade 4
• Relevant professional registration (e.g. Psychology with Clinical/Forensic endorsement, Social Work, Occupational Therapy or Registered Psychiatric Nurse)  
• Experience working within, or alongside, forensic, youth justice, or court-based settings (desirable). 
• Demonstrated experience in mental health assessment, risk formulation, and clinical decision-making with young people presenting with complex needs. 
• Strong understanding of trauma-informed, developmentally responsive, and culturally safe practice. 

• Highly developed communication skills, with the ability to provide clear, concise advice to a broad range of stakeholders, including judicial and legal professionals. 

• Proven ability to work autonomously, manage competing priorities, and respond effectively in fast-paced environments. 

• Confidence and a collaborative approach, with experience working across multidisciplinary teams and service systems.  

You will be motivated by making a meaningful impact, contributing to early intervention, and improving outcomes for vulnerable young people in the justice system. 

Ready to Make a Difference?

If you’re looking to be part of something truly meaningful and shape the future of forensic youth mental health, we’d love to hear from you. 

For a discussion, contact Olivia Morrow, Team Lead Community FYMHS on (03) 9966 9100.

Interested applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Recruitment is ongoing, with interviews commencing as soon as suitable candidates are received. Advertising may cease prior to the closing date.

We provide reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process to support all applicants. If you require any adjustments, please let us know via the application prompts or inform our People and Culture team if you’re contacted for an interview.

To view the full Position Description, please click HERE

All appointments are made subject to a satisfactory Criminal History Record Check and a Working with Children Check. Successful applicants will be required to provide evidence of an immunisation assessment prior to commencement.

PYMHWS stands in solidarity with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in work and care. We are proud to be a workplace that champions diversity, inclusion and equality for our staff and our community.  Our goal is for our people to feel safe, included and supported so that they can be at their best every single day. We encourage talented people from all backgrounds, abilities, and identities to apply to our vacancies, and will consider adjustments to support such applications.