Position Snapshot

• Salary range - $110,102.72 to $114,983.44 (pro rata) Level 6 SCHADS Award 2010 + Superannuation (pay point dependent on qualifications and experience)
• Ongoing part-time basis 0.6FTE to 0.8FTE (3 or 4 days per week)
• 2 days in the office (Tuesdays and Wednesdays) and 1 or 2 days from home
• Position is based at Melbourne CBD, and will require some statewide travel with access to shared fleet vehicle
• Generous not-for-profit salary packaging with employee benefits such as annual leave loading of 17.5% is available

Position overview

The Mental Health Practice Development Lead is responsible for strengthening the capability of the case management workforce to work effectively with people experiencing mental ill health within complex reintegration circumstances.

The role focuses on developing practice that supports safe, sustainable reintegration, by building staff capacity to work with the intersection of mental illness, desistance, trauma, and social disadvantage.

Drawing on Vacro’s innovative Reintegration Practice Framework, the role supports staff to enhance their practice in:

• Supporting identity change and pro-social pathways.
• Strengthening participant agency and engagement.
• Ensuring interventions are evidence-informed, responsive, and tailored to individual circumstances.

Working effectively by integrating mental health expertise into planning, case management, and cross-sector collaboration, supporting sustainable reintegration outcomes.

Arc case management functions alongside a tiered intensity of support including specialist disability, family violence and mental health experts as well as access to stable housing on release from prison. The Arc program partners with community housing providers (CHPs), who provide participants with a suitable home on their release.

About Vacro

Vacro is an independent non-profit organisation working with people caught in the criminal justice system and their families. Founded in 1872, we are Victoria’s oldest and only specialised criminal justice reintegration service. We provide reintegration, family, and employment support that enables people to create new beginnings for themselves and their families.

We value the expertise of people from a wide range of backgrounds. Because of the work we do, we especially value the expertise of First Nations people, people with lived experience of the criminal justice system, and people of diverse cultural backgrounds and identities. We also welcome applications from people with a criminal record. (We do not discriminate based on a person’s criminal record, however in some circumstances, contractual or legislative obligations may limit a person’s eligibility for certain roles. We are happy to have a confidential discussion about how these requirements may affect a candidate).

Many members of our workforce bring invaluable lived experience that enriches our teams with authenticity and diverse insights. These individuals not only possess professional skills, but also a profound understanding of the challenges and complexities that arise from their personal journeys. Their unique perspectives cultivate empathy and spark innovation, enabling us to develop solutions that are not only practical but also meaningful. At Vacro, you’ll be part of a culture that champions inclusivity and values every voice, empowering you to make a real difference in the lives of those we serve.

About You

This role will suit a candidate with the following skills and experience:

• Lead the identification and prioritisation of specialist mental health learning needs to strengthen workforce capability and improve participant outcomes.
• Provide guidance on risk assessment, safety planning, and crisis response for participants with complex presentations.
• Provide secondary consultation to case managers on complex mental health presentations, including assessment, formulation, risk, intervention planning, and evidence-informed, person-centred practice.
• Support case managers to develop holistic, strengths-based psychosocial care plans that respond to individual needs and circumstances.
• Assist with navigation of the mental health system, including referrals, service linkage, and care coordination.
• Support staff to apply structured, proportionate responses to risk that align with ethical and person-centred practice.
• Participate in case reviews and critical incident debriefs as required.

What we offer

Vacro is dedicated to staff wellbeing. We provide extensive on-boarding training and ongoing professional development for staff, amongst other benefits.

Vacro is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity and inclusion. We celebrate and welcome all people regardless of ethnicity, cultural background, age, gender, sexuality, disability or religious affiliation.

Some roles at Vacro require applicants to undergo an extensive screening process prior to appointment.

Next steps

For any enquiries regarding the role, kindly email us at [email protected] using the subject line: Mental Health Practice Development Lead enquiry via EthicalJobs.

In your application, please include your resume (and or CV), and a cover letter that addresses the key results area in the position description.

Please ensure that you save your resume and cover letter with your name. For example, Jane Smith Cover letter

Please note, applications should be independently written and reflect the applicant’s own experience, skills, and communication style. If you do choose to utilise generative AI in your application (e.g. ChatGPT), then please ensure you take steps to personalise your responses. Generic or AI-generated submissions may not be considered.

Shortlisted candidates may be asked to discuss or elaborate on aspects of their application during interview to confirm suitability and authorship.

Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis and the closing date may be subject to change without notice.

If you require any reasonable adjustments or cultural adjustments during the recruitment process, please email Sarah Charles, Learning Development and Wellbeing Manager at people&[email protected] using the subject line: Mental Health Practice Development Lead enquiry via EthicalJobs as part of your application.