Allied Health Lead
Lead Allied Health at Sonder’s 24/7 Crisis Stabilisation Centre, guiding clinicians in recovery‑oriented, trauma‑informed care within a peer‑first, culturally safe team.
The Crisis Stabilisation Centre (CSC) is a first‑of‑its‑kind service in South Australia and a rare opportunity to help establish an entirely new model of crisis care from the ground up. This 16‑bed, 24/7 service provides a voluntary, short‑stay (up to 72 hours) alternative to Emergency Departments, offering a safe, therapeutic, home‑like environment for people experiencing mental health crisis and/or suicidal distress. Co‑located within the Lyell McEwin Hospital precinct alongside Sonder’s Medicare Mental Health Centre, the CSC is designed for seamless integration across hospital, urgent and community services. Guided by a co‑designed Peer First, Peer Last Philosophy of Care, and grounded in zero suicide principles, trauma‑informed practice and cultural safety, this new service represents a once‑in‑a‑career opportunity to help shape culture, practice, and care at the very beginning.
What benefits can we offer?
When you work with Sonder, you become part of the Sonder family and that provides you with a number of benefits such as:
Salary (excluding super) paid above award and reviewed annually
Flexible working arrangements
Professional development allowance provided yearly
Generous salary packaging options - increase your take home pay by 6-12%
17.5% Leave Loading
Modern and welcoming office spaces
Christmas Closure Bonus Leave (above annual leave entitlements)
Training opportunities
Meal & entertainment allowances
Paid parental leave, and much more!
Sonder are open to negotiating further benefits with the successful applicant to ensure an excellent working environment for you.
Hours: Hours can be completed between Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm with some flexibility.
**On call rotations will be shared amongst the clinical leadership team.
Contract: 1 FTE (full-time) | Permanent
Location: Elizabeth Vale (Lyell McEwin Hospital precinct)
More Information & Position Description via this link: https://bit.ly/4v6sbju
About the Role:
The Allied Health Lead is a key member of the CSC multidisciplinary management team, providing leadership to allied health clinicians including social workers, psychologists, and occupational therapists. The role ensures evidence-based therapeutic interventions, psychosocial assessment, discharge planning, group programs, and care coordination are effectively embedded within the CSC service model.
Working within a Peer First, Peer Last Philosophy of Care, you will actively foster the partnership with Peer Practitioners to deliver integrated, recovery-oriented support, recognising lived experience as a core element of care.
You will support interdisciplinary collaboration and provide professional supervision to allied health staff, ensuring alignment with clinical governance standards, NSQHS requirements, and the CSC’s Philosophy of Care.
As the CSC prepares to open in the new financial year, this role will play a critical part in shaping the service during its establishment phase and fostering a positive, inclusive team culture from the outset.
Experience Requirements:
Demonstrated experience working within a fast-paced mental health or acute care environment.
Minimum of five (5) years’ clinical practice in mental health treatment and care, preferably providing therapeutic treatment and/or case management and support.
Proven experience at a senior clinical level within the area of mental health service delivery.
Experience in successfully leading or coordinating a team of staff and working as a member of a multidisciplinary team with the ability to inspire and facilitate team commitment and cooperation.
Demonstrated experience in the preparation of reports with recommendations.
Experience working across a range of Commonwealth and State funded mental health programs and ensuring program implementation in line with funding requirements and contracts.
Experience in successfully coordinating allied health clinical services including psychosocial assessment, therapeutic interventions, care coordination, and discharge planning.
Experience acting as, or working alongside, an Authorised Officer (AO) under the SA Mental Health Act is highly desirable.
Experience in maintaining continuous quality improvement.
Qualification and Other Requirements:
Relevant Leadership or Management training is desired.
AHPRA Psychology Board Approved Supervisor status is desirable (for Psychologists).
Postgraduate qualification in mental health, clinical practice leadership, or a related field is highly desirable.
Current or willing to obtain a Working with Children's Check (WWCC)
Current or willing to obtain a National Police Check (NPC)
Current registration with one of the following professional bodies:
Social Workers – Registered member or eligible for membership of the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW)
Psychologists – Registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)
Occupational Therapists – Registered with the Australian Association of Occupational Therapists (OT) and AHPRA, with Mental Health Endorsement recognised by Occupational Therapy Australia
How to apply:
Applicants are requested to send a cover letter and resume to Sonder via our careers portal on our website.
Feel free to send any enquiries to sondercareers@sonder.net.au
Please note:
This is a rolling recruitment process for a new service. Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and interviews will be conducted throughout the advertising period. The service is expected to go live on 1 July 2026, with successful applicants commencing soon.
At Sonder, we strive to respond to all applicants. However, due to the high volume of applications we receive, we may only be able to contact those shortlisted for the role. Thank you for your understanding.
- Department
- Mental Health Services
- Role
- Allied Health Lead
- Locations
- Kaurna Country, Northern Crisis Stabilisation Centre