Senior Social Worker

The Australian Psychological Society Limited; Katherine; Hybrid; AUD 118,000 - 132,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

6 weeks recreational leave

Professional development

Relocation support

Job summary

The Northern Territory Government – Department of Education and Training is seeking a Senior School Social Worker to lead wellbeing initiatives within schools across the Territory. You’ll work within a Multi-Tiered System of Support, delivering evidence-based interventions and coordinating services with a multidisciplinary team.

You may travel to remote schools and support families and communities, with regular business hours and a focus on work–life balance and professional development

Qualifications

• Approved Social Work qualification meeting AASW eligibility.
• Specialist knowledge delivering wellbeing interventions for children and young people.
• Experience providing leadership, supervision and mentoring to professionals.
• Strong case management and complex problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement abilities.
• Experience delivering training and professional learning.
• Demonstrated capability in critical incident response and recovery.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership within regional multidisciplinary teams.
• Supervise, coach and mentor social workers and other staff.
• Deliver whole-school, group and individual wellbeing interventions.
• Support complex student wellbeing and behaviour.
• Facilitate professional learning for educators and school leaders.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary professionals to deliver coordinated services.
• Lead and support critical incident response and recovery.
• Build strong partnerships with schools, families and communities to improve student outcomes.

Skills

Leadership

Supervision

Communication

Stakeholder engagement

Problem-solving

Training delivery

Critical incident response

Education

Social Work qualification (AASW eligibility)

Job description

Type and Location : Educational & Developmental / Northern Territory

Listed By :

Listed By : Northern Territory Government- Department of Education and Training on 1 Sep 2026

Professional 3 - Remuneration Package $138,602 - $155,011 (including salary $117,625 - $131,735)

Student Wellbeing and Inclusion Programs and Services – Client Services

Katherine, Northern Territory

Ongoing vacancy available

Take Your Social Work Career Beyond Traditional Practice

Are you an experienced social worker looking for a role that combines leadership, influence and meaningful impact on the lives of children and young people?

This is an opportunity to join the Northern Territory Department of Education and Training in a corporate-based role, supporting schools across the Territory while enjoying the benefits of a professional work environment, regular business hours and a strong focus on work-life balance.

Working within the Student Wellbeing and Inclusion Programs and Services (SWIPS) team, you'll work with multidisciplinary professionals to ensure children and young people are welcomed into inclusive learning environments where they can engage effectively with education and reach their full potential. A strong focus on family-inclusive practice ensures a holistic approach to student wellbeing and success.

About the Role

As a Senior School Social Worker, you will provide professional leadership and specialist wellbeing services within a Multi-Tiered System of Support framework. You will work with schools to improve student wellbeing, safety and engagement through evidence-based interventions and targeted support.

Key responsibilities include:

• Providing leadership within regional multidisciplinary teams
• Supervising, coaching and mentoring social workers and other staff
• Delivering whole-school, group and individual wellbeing interventions
• Supporting complex student wellbeing and behaviour
• Facilitating professional learning for educators and school leaders
• Collaborating with multidisciplinary professionals to deliver coordinated services
• Leading and supporting critical incident response and recovery
• Building strong partnerships with schools, families and communities to improve student outcomes.

About You

• We're looking for a highly skilled and experienced social worker who is passionate about improving outcomes for children and young people.
• To be successful, you will have:
• An approved Social Work qualification that meets eligibility requirements for the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW)
• Specialist knowledge and experience delivering wellbeing and social-emotional interventions for children and young people
• Experience providing leadership, supervision and mentoring to professionals
• Strong case management and complex problem-solving skills
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement abilities
• Experience delivering training and professional learning
• Demonstrated capability in critical incident response and recovery.

What you’ll get in return:

• Attractive salary package + 6 weeks recreational leave, 3 weeks personal leave and recreational leave loading allowance
• Study and professional learning opportunities to develop your career and professional practice
• Work alongside dynamic multidisciplinary teams including social workers, psychologists, special education teachers, occupational therapists, speech pathologists, school counsellors and positive behaviour coaches
• Real opportunities for long term employment and career progression with the Northern Territory Government
• Relocation allowance for suitable intrastate and interstate candidates for ongoing positions
• Flexible work arrangements can be negotiated
• Attraction and retention incentives based on certain conditions and eligibility.

Experience the Northern Territory

This role offers the opportunity to work in a unique and rewarding environment, supporting students and schools across diverse communities. Travel to remote schools may be required, including travel by four-wheel drive vehicle or light aircraft and occasional overnight stays. Four-wheel drive training will be provided.

Corporate-based conditions apply to this position. The applicant must hold or be able to obtain a Working with Children Notice Clearance and an NT driver’s licence.