Social Worker - Youth Mental Health and Wellbeing

Help create the conditions for young people to thrive

Every young person deserves a person in their corner, a place where they belong and a purpose that gives them hope for the future.

Chain Reaction Foundation is seeking a compassionate and experienced Social Worker with youth mental health expertise to join our Learning Ground team two days per week.

Learning Ground supports young people aged 10–17 who may be experiencing challenges with their mental health, relationships, behaviour or engagement with school. Through structured group programs and individual support, we help young people strengthen emotional regulation, build healthy relationships, reconnect with learning and develop a more positive sense of their future.

About the role

This is a varied, hands-on role combining group program delivery with individual counselling and mental health support.

Working alongside our experienced youth and program staff, you will:

• Co-facilitate Learning Ground’s wellbeing and behavioural change program.
• Provide short-term, strengths-based counselling and mental health support to young people.
• Undertake appropriate psychosocial assessment, support planning and referrals.
• Help young people develop emotional regulation, resilience, communication and help-seeking skills.
• Provide guidance to staff responding to young people experiencing mental health concerns.
• Work collaboratively with families, schools and external services where appropriate.
• Contribute to case discussions, program planning, documentation and outcomes measurement.
• Support safe escalation and referral where a young person requires more specialised or intensive assistance.
• Maintain clear professional boundaries and uphold CRF’s child-safe and safeguarding responsibilities.

About you

You will be a relational and grounded practitioner who can connect with young people who may not readily engage with traditional services.

You will bring:

• A recognised qualification in Social Work and eligibility for membership of the Australian Association of Social Workers.
• Experience supporting adolescents experiencing mental health, behavioural, family or school-engagement challenges.
• Skills in youth counselling, psychosocial assessment, risk assessment and referral.
• A trauma-informed, strengths-based and culturally responsive approach.
• The ability to facilitate groups and engage young people through practical, interactive activities.
• Confidence working collaboratively with families, schools and multidisciplinary services.
• Sound professional judgement, documentation and safeguarding practice.
• An understanding of the experiences of young people and families in Western Sydney.

Experience working with young people affected by trauma, family violence, out-of-home care, contact with the justice system or school disengagement would be highly regarded.

Why join Chain Reaction Foundation?

This is an opportunity to combine therapeutic practice with early intervention and meaningful program delivery.

You will join a committed team that understands that change begins through trusted relationships. You will have the opportunity to work alongside young people over time and help them build the skills, confidence and connections they need to move forward.

We offer:

• Meaningful work with visible impact.
• A supportive and collaborative team.
• Opportunities for professional development.
• The opportunity to contribute to the continuing development of Learning Ground’s mental health response.
• A role grounded in relationships, belonging and hope.

Essential requirements

The successful applicant will be required to hold or obtain:

• A current NSW Working with Children Check.
• A current National Police Check.
• A current driver’s licence.
• Appropriate professional registration or eligibility for AASW membership.
• The right to work in Australia.

Employment will be subject to satisfactory child-safety screening and reference checks.

next steps

To submit your application, please click ‘Apply Now’ by the closing date.

For further information, contact Dr Rumbi Mabambe at leaningground@chainreaction.org.au using the subject line: Social Worker - Youth Mental Health and Wellbeing enquiry via EthicalJobs.

Chain Reaction Foundation is committed to creating a culturally safe, inclusive and child-safe organisation. We welcome applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities, people with disability and people with lived experience relevant to our work.