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

Location: Dandenong Children’s Court

• Make a meaningful difference for young people at the intersection of mental health and the justice system.

• Provide specialist mental health assessment, consultation and advice in a court-based setting.

• Join a supportive, multidisciplinary forensic youth mental health service.

Your new role

Are you an experienced mental health clinician looking for an opportunity to apply your skills in a unique and rewarding setting?

We are seeking a Senior Clinician to join the Children’s Court Mental Health Advice and Response Service (CCMHARS), based at Dandenong Children’s Court. This is an opportunity to support young people experiencing mental health difficulties at a critical point in their lives and to help connect them with appropriate care and support.

As a Senior Clinician, you will provide timely mental health and risk assessments for young people appearing before the Children’s Court who may be experiencing acute mental illness, suicidality or significant psychological distress. You will provide clinical advice to the Court and work closely with legal representatives, Youth Justice, mental health services and other partners to support informed decision-making and coordinated care.

You will also identify opportunities for young people to access mental health treatment and, where appropriate, be diverted from further involvement in the justice system.

Your work will include:

• Undertaking timely, developmentally informed mental health and short-term risk assessments.

• Providing clear, concise written reports and verbal clinical advice to the Children’s Court.

• Supporting referrals and pathways to mental health, health and community services.

• Providing specialist consultation and education to court staff and other service partners.

• Contributing to service development, quality improvement and evaluation.

• Working collaboratively with young people, families, carers and support networks.

About you

You are an experienced and compassionate clinician who can work autonomously, exercise sound clinical judgement and build strong relationships across service systems. You are committed to improving outcomes for young people with complex mental health needs and understand the importance of trauma-informed, culturally responsive and family-inclusive care.

You will bring:

• Qualifications and registration or professional eligibility as a psychologist, social worker, occupational therapist or mental health nurse, as outlined in the position description.

• Experience working with young people experiencing mental health difficulties and their families or carers.

• Advanced skills in mental health and risk assessment, formulation and clinical intervention.

• Experience working in a senior clinical or autonomous role.

• The ability to provide clear, confident clinical advice and communicate effectively with a range of stakeholders.

• Knowledge of the youth justice system and relevant community and forensic services. Experience in a forensic or justice setting is desirable.

• A current Victorian driver’s licence and Working with Children Check (WWCC).

Please refer to the Position Description (PD) for the full qualification and selection requirements.

About our service

The Forensic Youth Mental Health Service (FYMHS) is a statewide specialist service within Parkville Youth Mental Health and Wellbeing Service (PYMHWS). We provide forensic mental health assessment, consultation, treatment and care coordination for young people aged 10 - 25 who are involved in, or at risk of involvement in, the youth justice system.

CCMHARS is part of Community FYMHS and provides specialist mental health assessment and advice to the Children’s Court of Victoria (CCV). We work alongside young people, families and partner agencies to improve access to care and support safe, developmentally appropriate outcomes.

Why join us?

You will join a passionate and experienced multidisciplinary team committed to supporting young people with complex needs. This role offers the opportunity to develop your specialist forensic youth mental health skills, work closely with partners across the justice and mental health systems, and contribute to a service making a difference in the community.

Interested?

We would love to hear from clinicians who are interested in bringing their skills and experience to this role.

Employment details: 0.6 FTE (PART-TIME), FIXED TERM
PYMHWS is a child-safe organisation committed to the safety and wellbeing of young people. Appointment is subject to a satisfactory Police Check, a valid Working with Children Check and relevant employment requirements.

To Access the position description 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.