Community Development Worker - Children & Young People

• Location: Sunshine
• Employment Type: Part-Time (0.7EFT/week), Ongoing
• Salary: CDW Class 2B + Superannuation + Salary Packaging

About the role:

The Western Health Mental Health and Wellbeing Services are situated in a growth corridor where continuous development, service expansion and innovative new programs are on the rise. The Division of Mental Health and Wellbeing spans across multiple Western Health sites including Sunshine, Footscray, Melton and Sunbury with growth expected throughout the full scope of Western Health’s reach.

Our recovery-oriented approach to care is provided by a multidisciplinary workforce comprising skilled clinicians, consumers and carers. These services include hospital based, community and specialist mental health and wellbeing services for adults, older adults, children and adolescents who are experiencing, or are at risk of developing a serious mental illness.

Key responsibilities:

The Children and Young Person position broadens the scope and reach of the Families where a Parent has a Mental Illness (FaPMI) program by providing a targeted focus to support for young carers in their local environment and strengthening identification and referral pathways for young carers through the mental health and education systems. The CYP Worker position will contribute to the provision of a whole of family approach to service delivery.  

About you:

• Qualifications in Community Development Work – minimum Cert IV
• Ability to collaborate efficiently with relevant service providers. The community worker will be expected to identify support needs and options for children, young people, and young carers to strengthen existing support networks
• Ability to advocate for and empower young/carers to engage with appropriate services for their health and wellbeing
• Capacity to proactively and professionally promote awareness of young carer supports to service providers, including through developing relationships with local schools and other youth-focused organisations 
• Capacity to professionally make connections that build on strengths and are inclusive of diversity (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders as well as those from culturally and LGBTQI+ diverse backgrounds) 

Click here for the Position Description.

About Western Health 

Western Health is one of the largest healthcare providers in Victoria, caring for a vibrant, diverse and rapidly growing community of one million people in Melbourne’s western suburbs.   

With more than 13,000 staff, Western Health delivers 800,000+ occasions of care every year, providing high-quality, person-centred care across every life stage.  

We provide a combination of hospital, community-based, at-home and in-reach services to aged, adult and paediatric patients and newborn babies. Specialties include oncology, renal, mental health, women’s health and maternity, chronic diseases, geriatrics and cardiology.  

We have remarkable strengths in chronic disease, complex care and developing innovative and sustainable healthcare solutions. Our experience at the coalface of healthcare delivery for some of Australia’s most culturally and socioeconomically diverse and vulnerable populations provides us with unique insights into the most pressing health challenges.

Western Health operates four acute public hospitals: Sunshine Hospital (including Joan Kirner Women’s and Children’s), Footscray Hospital, Williamstown Hospital and Bacchus Marsh Hospital. We also operate Sunbury Community Hospital, Sunshine Mental Health and Wellbeing Centre, Melton Health and Community Services, Bacchus Marsh Community Health Centre, Caroline Springs Community Health Centre and Grant Lodge Residential Aged Care in Bacchus Marsh. Western Health also provides the primary healthcare service at the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre, a women’s prison located in Ravenhall. 

Why join us?

Compensation and benefits

• Competitive salary packages aligned with market standards.
• Health and wellbeing programs, including flexible work arrangements.
• Scholarships and grants to support your continuous learning journey.

Learning and development opportunities

• Access the Western Health Learning Academy (WHA) for personalised learning pathways.
• Professional growth programs, including postgraduate studies and clinical education.
• Mentorship and career support.

Community impact and inclusion

• Make a meaningful difference in patients’ lives through compassionate care.
• Join a workforce that champions diversity and inclusion.
• Engage in community wellbeing initiatives and groundbreaking healthcare research.

Organisational culture and environment

• Thrive in a collaborative, compassionate and innovative team environment.
• Be part of a culture that celebrates continuous improvement and excellence in healthcare.

Ready to make an impact? 

If you’re passionate about providing support and Best Care to children and young people, we’d love to hear from you. Simply click on the “apply” button and follow the prompts. 

If you are currently employed at Western Health, please ensure you sign in through the 'Employee Login' via the external Careers Page or access the Careers Page via the intranet before applying.  

Closing date: 11:59pm on 16 April 2026.

Enquiries: For further information about this role, contact Lindsay Vernon on 0432 889 453 or Lindsay.Vernon2@wh.org.au. 

Western Health is an equal opportunity employer committed to attracting and retaining diversity in our workforce. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. 

Western Health is committed to providing a safe environment for the children and young people who are involved in our services, sites and operations. We follow and abide by all legislative requirements to keep children and young people safe. 

All appointments are made subject to a satisfactory Police Record Check, an Immunisation Status Clearance and a Working with Children Check (if applicable). 

Western Health is committed to the psychosocial safety of all applicants and employees.

Western Health does not accept unsolicited resumes/applications from recruitment agencies.

Western Health