Experienced Residential Youth Worker

Are you passionate about supporting young people with high and complex needs? Are you ready to make a meaningful difference in the lives of children and adolescents who have experienced trauma? If so, we have an exciting opportunity for you to join our dedicated Residential Services team.

About the role

Are you fueled by a deep passion to support young people navigating some of life's toughest challenges? Do you have the strength, heart, and resilience to be a steady, compassionate presence for children who've experienced trauma? If you're searching for a role where every single moment has the power to change a life, this is it.

We're on the lookout for an experienced, empathetic, and unshakably resilient Residential Care Worker to join our vibrant and purpose-driven Residential Services team. Our team doesn't just work with young people – we walk alongside them, offering guidance, stability, and belief when they need it most.

At MacKillop Family Services, we provide more than a roof over someone's head. We create homes that are safe, nurturing, and filled with possibility. Every child in our care comes to us through the Child Protection system, and each one deserves to be seen, heard, and given the chance to heal and thrive.

If you're ready to be part of something deeply meaningful, where your compassion and courage can spark real change, we'd love to hear from you.

In this role, you'll:

• Support young people in their daily lives, helping them build practical and emotional skills
• Respond to trauma-related behaviours with care, patience, and professional insight
• Contribute to the smooth running of the home, including household tasks and admin
• Work as part of a strong, values-driven team that shows up for each other – and for the young people – every single day

We're looking for someone who brings:

• Significant experience in residential care or youth support
• A calm, confident approach to managing challenging behaviours
• A deep understanding of trauma-informed care
• Unshakable resilience and a belief that every young person deserves a fresh start

We are recruiting for several highly experienced Residential Care Workers based in North Metro Melbourne (Preston and surrounds) within our Out of Home Care program. The position reports to the Residential House Supervisor.

Key Selection Criteria:

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• A Certificate IV in Child, Youth and Family Intervention (Residential and Out of Home Care or other similar or relevant tertiary qualifications.
• A genuine interest in young people and their wellbeing.
• Demonstrate empathy for young people in our care in an open minded and nonjudgmental manner.
• Highly developed capacity for emotional self-regulation including the capacity to set and maintain consistent boundaries to provide safety, stability and consistency.

Please address the full Key Selection Criteria outlined in the PD as part of your application.

For more information, please contact: Gemma Cassingham at: or on

Our offer:

• Generous Salary Packaging (helps increase your 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
• Click HERE to find out more about becoming a member of the MacKillop Family Services team and what further support we have to offer our employees.

You must have a:

• Valid and current Driver's Licence;
• Satisfactory Criminal History Check (paid for by MacKillop);
• 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.

Our Commitment:

MacKillop celebrates and draws strength from diversity and respects the dignity of all people. Every person at MacKillop has the right to be safe and to be 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.

It is our goal that MacKillop Family Services continues to evolve as a culturally safe, culturally competent, and welcoming organisation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, young people, families, and communities.

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

Shortlisting for this position may commence immediately so please submit your application as soon as possible.

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