Youth Support

Youth Support Worker (Female) — Complex Mental Health & Behaviours

Status: Casual/Part-time

Location: Caloundra - however location may move to various suburbs between Marcoola and Caloundra.

Care Model: 1:1

We're seeking dedicated, confident, and resilient female Youth Support Workers who can navigate high-stress environments, uphold firm boundaries, and are not deterred by escalations as part of achieving real therapeutic change. This role is not suitable for anyone without prior exposure to extreme behaviours.

Setting

• In-home support and community access with a young person living with her mother.

About the Participant

• 14-year-old female with ASD, intellectual impairment, speech dyspraxia, and an unnamed chromosomal deletion.
• Stature & presentation: Approximately 5 ft tall with low muscle tone; average weight and build; can escalate for extended periods.
• Baseline demeanour: humorous, sarcastic, talkative, thoughtful, and curious.
• Current behaviours: risk-taking, minor property damage, and episodes of verbal and physical aggression.

Safety & Escalation Protocols (Read before applying)

• Safety planning in place: Maintain safe distance when required while remaining present and engaged.
• No physical hold requirement: Staff may be required to assist in physical escalations if the young person targets her mother. Your role is to create space between them and manage the environment to support de-escalation (e.g., positioning, removing triggers, cueing safe areas). If staff become targeted, keep a safe distance while remaining present. Staff may step away and return in short intervals to support their own regulation and model healthy self-regulation. During physical escalations, focus on safe proximity to protect both staff and the young person. Where immediate safety is at risk, staff may be required to step in according to organisational policy and Child Safety frameworks, and must be familiar with restrictive practice rules and guidelines (use only as authorised and documented in the behaviour support plan).
• 24/7 on-call support: Always available for real-time guidance. Staff are encouraged to lean on management and follow direction.
• Boundary-holding is essential: Be confident enforcing agreed rules and routines, even when this may temporarily increase escalation, to support long-term stability and change.
• Frameworks: Work within Child Safety frameworks, behaviour support plans, incident reporting, and organisational policies at all times.

Support Focus

• Establish and maintain clear rules, routines, and boundaries.
• Build life skills and support daily engagement through hobbies and educational activities.
• Strengthen the relationship between the young person and her mother and reduce carer burnout.

What You'll Do

• Apply de-escalation and positive behaviour support strategies confidently in high-stress moments.
• Mediate and model healthy communication between the young person and her mother; remain solution-focused during tension.
• Show empathy and understanding, at all times responding therapeutically at all times.
• Support the mother to maintain consistency, uphold agreed standards, self-regulate, and respond patiently and therapeutically.

Must-Haves

• Proven experience with complex behaviours, escalations, and therapeutic models of care.

• Certificate III in Individual Support (or adjacent qualification/experience).

• Students in OT, Social Work, Psychology or similar are strongly encouraged to apply.

• Blue Card (Working with Children Check).
• NDIS Worker Screening clearance (formerly "Yellow Card").
• Reliable vehicle with comprehensive insurance.
• Working knowledge of Child Safety frameworks and best practice.

Highly Regarded

• Experience in in-home care or youth residential care settings.
• TCI (Therapeutic Crisis Intervention) or Mabo training.
• Experience with AOD (drug & alcohol) and homelessness contexts.

Roster & Hours

• Mon–Fri: 9:00–13:00 & 13:00–19:00
• Saturday: 12:00–20:00, 20:00–00:00
• Sunday: 00:00–08:00, 08:00–14:00
• Set, recurring roster each week. Staff are required to work a minimum of 2 shifts per week and cover gaps as needed.
• We aim to limit each worker to 2–3 shifts per week to manage burnout and ensure therapeutic, fresh responses. However, additional hours may be approved on request, subject to consideration of burnout risk, performance, and service needs.

Staff Support

• Buddy shifts with competent, experienced staff.
• Regular contact with management to troubleshoot, skill-build, and integrate feedback.
• Confidential supervision available whenever required.
• Monthly team meetings and team-building.
• Training in escalations and incident report writing; mentorship provided.
• Comprehensive briefings and written materials prior to buddy shifts (behaviours, safety planning, shift tips, rules, routines).
• Active burnout monitoring and collaborative rostering to fit your capacity.
• 24/7 on-call for support and guidance.

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