Direct Care Worker

Since 1974, Althea Projects Inc. has been supporting and strengthening the capacity of vulnerable people within Townsville and the surrounding regions.  Our main programs are Foster & Kinship, Wee Care Residential and Althea's Community Hub, from which we deliver a range of services.

Our Wee Care Residential Services provides crisis, emergency and short-term residential services for children aged 0-11 years. We are looking to appoint Direct Care Workers for our Althea House residential facility on a part-time basis (56 hours per fortnight).

Applicants with a background in youth work in a residential facility and experience in working with children that have experienced trauma are encouraged to apply.

As a Direct Care worker at Althea House, you will be responsible for:

• Providing a high quality of care, supervision, safety, security and personal support services from within a range of established procedures for children who reside at Althea House.
• Correctly assessing the needs and applying appropriate technical responses to a range of complex behaviours being exhibited by children.
• Implementing trauma informed best practice, positive behaviour support strategies which are focused on the dignity, rights and best interests of the child.
• Assisting with organising outings and activities that relate to meeting the needs of children who are in the care of Althea House
• Assisting the Coordinator with delegated supervisory tasks to lower level Direct Care Workers (DCW's) from time to time and as required.
• Transporting children who reside at Althea House in accordance with their weekly routines
• Supervising family contact visits via phone calls when required and as directed.
• Following daily general housekeeping routines
• Following daily household management routines in the preparation of healthy and nutritious meals for children.
• Undertaking and maintaining a high quality of accurate record management of client information, including completion of all required case management documentation.

In return, we offer you the following:

• An opportunity to help change lives
• 5 weeks annual leave
• Supportive management and team
• SCHADS Award Level 3 wages
• Attractive salary packaging up to $15,900 p.a.
• Employee Assistance Program
• Birthday Leave

How to Apply

Please submit your resume together with a succinct response to the selection criteria (2 pages maximum), providing examples of relevant knowledge, skills and experience.

Applications will close at 5.00pm on 12 December 2025, however we retain the right to start screening and interviewing any suitable candidates prior to this date.

Selection Criteria:

1. Diploma of Community Services or Early Childhood Education with at least 2 years' relevant experience working with children aged between 0 – 12 years or within human services field / child residential care preferred; OR relevant certificate with relevant experience, or experience attained through previous appointments, services and/or study of an equivalent level of expertise and/or experience to undertake the range of activities required.
2. Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) Trained, and Hope and Healing trained, with approximately two years' experience in implementing actions and responses in accordance with such training.
3. Demonstrated skills and experience working with children and families who present with a range of complex health, social and wellbeing needs and who are subject to child protection orders, including knowledge of appropriate techniques to address complex behaviours.
4. Proven ability to undertake housekeeping routines including maintaining cleanliness and completing relevant charts and checklists
5. Ability and willingness to work effectively as part of a team to meet program goals and objectives.
6. Proven aptitude in positively building and maintaining workplace relationships, and with experience in positively engaging with children and their families, and Child Safety and solving problems of limited difficulty.
7. Cultural awareness and experience in providing culturally appropriate engagement to Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander peoples
8. Driver's license, Senior First Aid Certificate and the ability to satisfy child and personal history screening; and current positive notice (Blue Card). Asthma & Anaphylaxis Certificate and Current Food Safety certificate (or ability to gain these within 4 weeks of commencement of employment)