Therapeutic Youth Work Team Leader

About the Role:

The Therapeutic Youth Work Team Leader is responsible for delivering high-quality therapeutic care that promotes the emotional, social, and behavioral needs of vulnerable young people in Intensive Therapeutic Care. This role works within a trauma-informed framework and leads the Therapeutic Youth Work team to provide exceptional care and support to young people.

This is a permanent full-time opportunity based in Royalla NSW, reporting to the Regional Manager - ACT and SNSW. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of young people and contribute to a supportive and collaborative work environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage the day-to-day operations of the ITTC Home, ensuring the needs of young people are met, and the roster is managed to provide structure, predictability, and consistency;
• Work collaboratively with the ITTC team to implement strategies and plans for individual young people, addressing presenting issues, facilitating skill development, promoting positive outcomes, and increasing engagement in education, employment, training, and community activities;
• Ensure the ITTC Home provides a nurturing, therapeutic, safe, and home-like environment that supports the physical and emotional safety of each young person;
• Support young people to be safely connected to family and significant people/places in their lives by facilitating family time and community activities in accordance with the approved plan;
• Promote democracy and support young people and staff to engage in a participatory environment where they can have a say and influence decision-making;
• Ensure the rights of young people are protected, their wellbeing actively safeguarded, and any concerns reported immediately;
• Lead the ITTC Therapeutic Youth Work team through cooperation, collaboration, and professionalism, including resolving conflict in a timely and thoughtful manner;

Required Skills and Qualifications:

• Bachelor Degree in youth work, social work, community services, or a relevant field;
• Experience working with young people with complex trauma and an understanding of adolescent development, trauma, attachment, and resilience theory;
• Demonstrated skills and experience in therapeutic residential care, OOHC, or child protection, and the ability to achieve positive outcomes for vulnerable young people and their families;
• Knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal culture and values, and awareness of current issues faced by Aboriginal children, young people, and their families;
• Demonstrated experience in managing a team, supervising, coaching, and developing staff;
• Demonstrated ability to build positive relationships and work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders;
• High level of initiative, ability to plan, organise, and prioritise work, and work to tight deadlines under pressure;
• Strong interpersonal skills, written, and verbal communication skills;

Benefits:

• Generous Salary Packaging (increases take-home pay);
• Ongoing Career Development, Education, and Training;
• Employee Assistance Program – free and confidential counselling, coaching, and emotional support for work and personal challenges;

Working Requirements:

• Valid and current Driver's Licence;
• Satisfactory Criminal History Check (paid for);
• Valid Employee Working with Children Check;
• Valid and current NDIS Workers Screening Check (for risk-assessed/client-facing roles). MacKillop can assist successful candidates with their application.

MacKillop’s Commitment:

MacKillop celebrates and draws strength from diversity, respecting the dignity of all people. Every person at MacKillop has the right to be safe and treated justly. We value every person's ability, cultural or linguistic backgrounds, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, intersex status, relationship status, religious or spiritual beliefs, socio-economic status, and age.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.