Jennie Charlton
Social Work Industry Facilitator
College of Education, Psychology and Social Work
Jennie Charlton is a social work academic and practitioner with over 20 years’ experience across mental health and forensic mental health practice, working with individuals, families, and systems across the life course. She holds a Master of Forensic Mental Health and has worked extensively in child protection, out-of-home care and fostering, disability, sexual assault services, sexual offending, domestic and family violence, mental health, and aged services. She is an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker and a member of the EMDR Association of Australia, currently working towards EMDR accreditation.
Since 2012, Jennie has held academic and practice-education roles alongside senior clinical practice, contributing to teaching, student supervision, workforce development, and applied research. Her work is grounded in trauma-informed, rights-based, and culturally responsive approaches, with particular expertise in complex risk, ethical decision-making, and interagency practice.
In her role at Flinders University, Jennie supports mental health workforce pathways, student engagement, and practice-education partnerships, bridging frontline practice and higher education to strengthen capability across multidisciplinary and cross-sector contexts.
Master of Forensic Mental Health
Diploma of Correctional Supervision
Bachelor of Social Work and Social Welfare (Honours)
Diploma of Social Work with Commendation
Finalist, Australian Association of Social Workers National Excellence Awards – Social Worker of the Year (2025)
Finalist. Agent of Change Award, Australian Association of Social Workers South Australian Branch (2020)
Vice President, Australian Association of Social Workers South Australian Branch (five-year term)
Chair, AASW South Australian Branch Social Justice Committee (ten-year tenure)
Lead and support mental health workforce pathways across social work and allied health disciplines, with a focus on student placement development and practice readiness.
Build and maintain partnerships with health services, NGOs, and community organisations to strengthen high-quality mental health placement opportunities across metropolitan, regional, and remote contexts.
Support student engagement, supervision, and capability development in complex and high-acuity practice environments.
Provide practice-education leadership informed by trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and ethically grounded frameworks.
Contribute to workforce development initiatives aligned with the National Mental Health Pathways to Practice Pilot.
Support cross-disciplinary collaboration across social work, nursing, psychology, and occupational therapy in mental health education and practice contexts.
Contribute to applied research, evaluation, and continuous improvement activities related to mental health education and workforce development.
Previous experience as a Topic Coordinator and Tutor within social work education, with responsibility for curriculum delivery, assessment, and student support.
Experience contributing to curriculum development and review, informed by contemporary practice and professional standards.
Teaching responsibilities are undertaken as part of practice education and curriculum development activities.
Sturt Rd, Bedford Park
South Australia 5042
South Australia | Northern Territory
Global | Online
Follow Flinders
