Youth Residential Care Worker

**Ballarat Region | Multiple Sites on Wadawurrung Country**:

- ** It takes someone very special to work in Berry Street's Residential Care Program.**:

- ** Casual rates begin at $40 p/hr (unqualified) or $45p/hr (qualified) plus penalties the roster may incur and salary packaging tax savings**

**Why Choose Us?**
- Investment in you As a Learning Organisation, there are so many opportunities for development that we offer you, including access to a comprehensive training calendar, free training such as AOD, First Aid, Health & Safety etc.
- Berry Street will pay $1,000 Support Payment upon confirmed completion of the Trauma Informed Practice and Upskilling modules.
- Access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), including access for staff members’ immediate family.
- Opportunities for career progression and growth.

**The Opportunity**

Berry Street's Residential Care Program provides accommodation, a high standard of physical & emotional care and support to children and young people aged from 10 years old up to 17 years old in a Residential care setting. These children and young people have been placed under Child Protection orders and are referred to Berry Street because other Out of Home Care placement opportunities have not been viable.

The role is richly rewarding, but as is the case with such jobs, presents with its own challenges too. Working therapeutically with children and young people means supporting them to be their best selves, helping them learn, grow and develop with autonomy to make positive choices for their future.

As we work a 24/7 roster, there are a variety of day shifts available (generally between 7am to 11pm) and overnight shifts (11pm to 7pm).

**Key Responsibilities**
- Work within a dedicated team delivering high quality therapeutic care to children and young people
- Participate in daily household duties, ensuring a clean and pleasant environment is maintained and that delicious and nutritious meals/food is available
- Learn and implement current best practice in therapeutic interventions for children and young people with regards to trauma and attachment
- Contribute and participate in various education, living, social and recreational skills activities as developed in the plans for children and young people to meet their individual needs
- Clear communication and record keeping, including report writing must be completed in accordance with program guidelines
- Follow all plans and program guidelines diligently to ensure compliance with child safety standards and practice.

**About You**
- A team worker - ability to work with various stakeholders, share ideas with a constructive approach to reach common goals focusing on the best interests of the young person.
- Great at relationship building - listening and giving your time. Respecting yourself and others and have professional boundaries.
- Flexibility - be open to new ideas, cope with unexpected change and multitask with ease. Be creative in your thinking and approach each task without judgement and confidence.
- Creative in your thinking and approach life without judgement and confidence.
- You hold a drivers licence (minimum green P’s) as the role will transport young people from time to time.

A minimum Cert IV in Child, Youth & Family Intervention or other higher level qualification in Social Work/Youth Work equivalent is essential. However Berry Street will employ applicants who commit to enrolling in a relevant qualification.
- Applicants must also complete the mandatory upskilling units as required by Department of Families, Fairness and Housing. Continuing employment is dependent on satisfactory evidence provided within 3 months of being engaged in the role. Our team will support you with your enrolment with our partner TAFE, Melbourne Polytechnic.

**About Us**

For over 140 years, Berry Street has adapted to a changing world, and we will continue to adapt to achieve our purpose. We believe children, young people and families should be safe, thriving and hopeful. Our Vision for 2026: Together we will courageously change lives and reimagine service systems. We look forward to working with our staff, carers, partners, supporters and government, to ensure children, young people and their families can create the future they imagine for themselves.

**IMPORTANT DATES**:

- Applications closing **Sunday 4 February 11pm.**:

- Group Assessment is on **Wednesday 14 February 10am - 2pm.**:

- Ballarat City Centre location for the assessment centre.

**Interested?**

To learn more about what it is like to work as a Residential Care Worker for Berry Street, please click here.
- Please Note: comprehensive reference and background checking will be undertaken, including a Working with Children Check and police check. _
- Berry Street is committed to being a child safe, child friendly and child empowering organisation. In everything we do we seek to protect children. We are committed to the cultural safety of Aboriginal a