Social Work workforce development

Statewide Social Work Educator Activities

The Statewide Social Work Educator provides discipline-specific workforce development and educational initiatives, aligned with the priority areas identified in the 2021–2022 scoping report conducted by the Centre for Mental Health Learning (a summary and report can be found further down on this page).

In August 2025, the Social Work Leadership Network (SWLN) conducted a Professional Development Needs Analysis (DNA) of the Victorian Public Mental Health Social Work Workforce. This analysis reinforced the initial priority areas and generated a “wish list” of professional development activities to guide future training and events.

Collaborative Centre Social Work Training and Events

The Collaborative Centre’s statewide social work educator delivers high-quality professional development opportunities for social workers across Victoria’s public mental health sector. Our training and events address identified gaps and emerging workforce priorities, supporting social work practice, professional development, and professional identity within the sector.

Professional development opportunities are announced throughout the year. Please check our website regularly for updates.

Go to events

Social Work Communities of Practice

Communities of Practice provide valuable opportunities for Social Workers in Victoria’s public mental health sector to connect, share knowledge, and support one another in their practice across services and regions.

The role of the statewide Social Work Educator is to: 

• Support the establishment of new Communities of Practice
• Provide statewide oversight and guidance
• Assist with clarifying the purpose, scope, and structure of each Community of Practice
• Support alignment with statewide workforce development priorities

Social Work Educator Communities of Practice

An Expression of Interest (EOI) to establish Social Work Communities of Practice has been completed, and the Social Work Educator will be rolling out several Communities of Practice over the next 12 months.

Social Work educators interested in joining Communities of Practice can email Moisis Moisis

Statewide public mental health Social Work Leadership Network

The Social Work Leadership Network (SWLN) serves as the collective voice of Social Work within the Mental Health and Wellbeing Programs (MHWP) across Victoria. It represents and advances the interests, capabilities, and professional contribution of the social work workforce at a statewide level. 

Guided by its strategic priorities of Influencing Change, Workforce Development, and fostering Collaboration, Consultation and Connection, the SWLN works to strengthen the visibility, impact, and sustainability of Social Work across the sector. The statewide social work educator collaborates with the SWLN to support the development of training and activities for the sector.

The Social Work Academics Group

The Social Work Academics Group operates under the coordination of the Collaborative Centre, supporting social work professionals across Victoria’s publicly funded clinical mental health and wellbeing programs. Building on the former advisory group within the now-defunct Centre for Mental Health Learning, the Group ensures that the sector’s knowledge, research, and practice wisdom continues to inform program planning and development.

It provides a statewide platform for social work academics, research-active social workers, and lived experience partners to collaborate with the Collaborative Centre under the leadership of the Statewide Mental Health Social Work Educator, to strengthen social work contributions across the Victorian mental health and wellbeing sector. The Group is currently reviewing its Terms of Reference to align with the Collaborative Centre’s broader functions.

Statewide Mental Health Social Work Scoping Report