Youth Worker

Full Time (76 Hours per fortnight)
- Fixed term until 31st December 2026
- Remuneration SCHCADS level 5 dependent on qualifications and experience + superannuation
- 5 Weeks Annual Leave
- Up to $15,900 for living expenses + up to $2,600 towards meals and entertainment can be tax-free through NFP Salary Packaging

**About us**

Youth Support + Advocacy Service (YSAS) is one of Australia’s largest and most comprehensive, youth specific community service organisation that enables young people experiencing serious disadvantage to access the resources and support they require to lead healthy and fulfilling lives.

YSAS is a Child Safe organisation. We actively promote the safety and wellbeing of young people, and are committed to protecting young people from harm or abuse who come into contact with and/or access our service.

At YSAS we are committed to people of a diversity of backgrounds and identities being included, represented, and having the opportunity to participate equally in the life of our organisation and the communities in which we provide our services. We strive to create the conditions where people feel safe, enfranchised and valued. We value lived-living experience wisdom, insight, and knowledge.

**About the position**

An integral aspect of the role is to provide interventions that targets young people aged 10 - 17, who have recently been in contact with police and could be at risk of entering the Youth Justice system. The YSS provides support from a family inclusive lens and works in an outreach capacity with young people and their families. It is a dynamic role that incorporates general youth work as well as potential family meetings and informal mediation. Therefore, some afterhours work will be required to meet the needs of young people and families.

**Key Selection Criteria**

1. Understanding of and experience in working with young people at risk of entering the Criminal Justice System, especially those who have had recent contact with Victoria Police.

2. Skills in engaging and working with young people, ranging from advocacy, conducting street based outreach, case management, group work and intensive individual casework.

3. Experience in engaging with young people from culturally diverse backgrounds.

4. Ability to assess (young people’s health and well-being, risk situations) and to formulate and implement case plans based in evidence and aligned to the practice standards and values of YSAS.

5. Understanding of adolescent development and specific circumstances which impact on consent and family involvement. Inherent in this is the ability to communicate effectively with family members and involve family members in assessment and support plans.

6. Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with stakeholders particularly Courts, family services, mental health providers, CALD specialist services, schools, etc.

**What our young people request from our workers**:
Young people across YSAS have spoken out and given feedback about the qualities that best describe a good YSAS worker:
**“*A good worker takes the time to understand your interests and doesn’t treat everyone the same.” “Young people believe that a good YSAS worker is empathetic and good at actively listening in a non-judgmental way, is relatable, down-to-earth and able to build trust and rapport in a consistent manner”. “It takes time to trust someone, but it’s worth it when you know they’ve got your back”. Young people have also raised that genuine human connection is an important quality, “being authentically human”, while having a holistic, flexible, and adaptable approach that considers the entire context of a young person’s life and their intersectionalities. “It’s about making sure workers don’t just tick boxes but genuinely want to see us thrive**”*

Regardless of where they are based or what position a worker has, everything we do at YSAS is about young people and their families.

**Why work with us?**
- YSAS has a true commitment to flexible working, ensuring that individual, team and client needs are met
- YSAS offers additional leave entitlements such as gender affirmation, ceremonial leave for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, fertility leave, blood donors leave, a generous Parental Leave Scheme and the ability to purchase additional leave.
- Access to learning and development opportunities
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

**Please note**:
1. As part of our Employment screening process you will be required to undertake a National Criminal History check and have a current Working with Children Check.

**Further Enquiries**

For a confidential discussion about the position, please contact Nathan Lambie, Team Leader, on 0456 839 440 regarding the Youth Worker (Outreach) position, Recruitment Ref. Number -077_2025.
- YSAS has a zero tolerance for child abuse and is committed to the provision of a child-safe organisation.

**Job Type**: Fixed term

Work Authorisation:

- Australia (preferred)

Work Location