Residential Youth Worker

Life at Mission Australia

When you join the team at Mission Australia, you become part of a community who are determined to end homelessness and ensure people in need can thrive. United by our Christian purpose and values, we stand together with anyone who needs us, for as long as they need us. Find out more about us and our purpose.

Your Opportunity

The Youth Accommodation Support Services (YASS) provides support, assistance and accommodation for young people who are experiencing or are at risk of homelessness. The service provides support to vulnerable young people by connecting them to school, work, vocational training, and other support services whilst assisting them to obtain long term housing.

YASS is a 24 hour service with a two-week rotating roster, therefore applicants must be available to work day, evening, overnight, and weekend shifts when rostered.

We have two positions available.

As a Residential Youth Worker, you will provide holistic care and work within a Trauma Informed Practice model to support to young people living on site in crisis accommodation. To be successful you will need experience working within the youth sector in a residential setting. Using your knowledge of current youth issues to connect and engage with the young people using the service to support them to progress toward achieving their goals. This is an on-site position based in Victoria Park.

Your Key Responsibilities

• Induct young people to the service advising them of the requirements, and their rights and responsibilities.
• Develop relationships with young people adhering to boundaries of care practice.
• Support young people in understanding their behaviours, developing beneficial coping strategies, and working towards their goals.
• Provide practical assistance with daily activities, including meal preparation, personal care, hygiene, and self-administration of medication in line with policies and procedures.
• Manage crisis situations, applying Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) strategies to de-escalate behaviours and provide appropriate support.
• Participate in case planning and case conferences alongside the Case Manager to monitor client progress.
• Collaborate with the team in the care and management of young people who exhibit challenging behaviour.
• Facilitate educational groups, life skills programs, and recreational activities to enhance young people's development.

Requirements for Success

• Relevant Youth Work or Community Services qualification – minimum certificate IV.
• Prior relevant experience with a sound understanding of issues facing youth and homelessness.
• Demonstrated experience working with vulnerable young people that present with challenging and complex needs.
• Strong knowledge of behaviour management and capacity to set boundaries and limits in a residential setting.
• Exhibited compliance with the Code of Ethics for Youth Workers in WA.
• Knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal culture and the ability to work with Aboriginal young people, families, and communities.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal with high level computer skills
• Available and willing to work as part of a roster which includes nights and weekends.
• Ability to work flexibly in a solutions-focused manner, both independently and as part of a diverse team.
• Current Senior First Aid Certificate.
• Must have Full driver licence with no restrictions.

Before starting work with us, you will need to undertake a national police history check, qualifications, and referee checks, and have a clearance to work with children / vulnerable people.

Your Benefits

To ensure our employees feel valued, empowered, and celebrated, we provide a range of employee benefits including :

• Rewarding work – every day you know you’re making a real difference
• Not-for-profit salary packaging, reducing your tax (details via AccessPay)
• Free external, confidential counselling and access to chaplaincy support.
• Volunteering opportunities
• Extra leave available including an additional public holiday, additional annual leave day on your work anniversary and the opportunity to purchase further annual leave.

Our Culture

Our innovative and inclusive culture will ensure you feel valued at Mission Australia as you help Australians in need and develop in your career.

We prioritise the safety and wellbeing of everyone, both within our team and the individuals we serve.

We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive working environment. We actively support and encourage people of all backgrounds; gender, age, ethnicity, race, cultural background, disability, religion, and sexual orientation to submit an application and aim to ensure that the recruitment and employee experience is as accessible and inclusive as possible. So, whoever you are, if you’re skilled and actively support our purpose and values, you would be welcome at Mission Australia.

If you live with disability and require support to submit your application , please email talentattraction@missionaustralia.com.au or visit our Careers page for additional contact details.

We strongly encourage applications from people who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander. For culturally safe support or assistance with your application, please contact us at deadlycareers@missionaustralia.com.au

How To Apply

To be considered for this opportunity, click ‘apply’ and send your application today!

As a committed Circle Back Initiative employer, we will respond to your application.

Applications for this role are shortlisted as received and we are interviewing through the advertising period. Please apply as soon as possible to be considered. Thank you.