• Part Time (30.4 hours per week) Fixed Term (until December 2019)
• SCHCADS level dependent on qualifications and experience + 9.5 % Employer superannuation
• Generous salary packaging options available
• Dandenong location

About us

Youth Support + Advocacy Service (YSAS) is 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. Applicants must undergo rigorous screening and recruitment processes, including providing evidence of current WWCC and National Police Check.

About the position

To work as part of an integrated team within The REVAL Program, providing recreational, educational, vocational and life skills related programs to young people age 14-21 who have been disengaged from mainstream education or vocation environments and who have experienced a range of complex problems related to substance use. This position be integrated across two program areas;

Empower Youth:

The Empower Youth program is a Victorian Government initiative which requires funded organisations to undertake an innovative approach to designing and delivering a program that strengthens the health and well-being of young people; their participation in community; their engagement in education and training; and their pathways to employment. YSAS is the lead agency in a partnership which includes Mission Australia; Task Force Community Agency; and Foundation House.

The Southern Melbourne Empower Youth Project (SMYEP) will target disengaged young people within Dandenong and Casey with an emphasis on those from new and emerging communities and existing vulnerable communities (i.e. Pasifika) including those who are at risk of involvement in the criminal justice system. Many of these young people are identified by Victoria Police as being involved in antisocial behaviour and criminal activity.

Developing Independence:

The Skills for Independence Pilot a partnership initiative between YSAS and Chisholm TAFE that delivers a foundational level accredited course for young people living in the Dandenong are, aged 16 - 22 years who are currently or were previously subject to a Child Protection Order and/or a Youth Justice Order.

A Chisholm TAFE trainer and YSAS youth worker co deliver a flexible, individually tailored course using the advantaged thinking and capabilities practice approach which explores key domains in a young person’s life through establishing goals and aspirations, identifying potential barriers, accessing resources, and planning for future learning and workforce engagement. In order to achieve greater economic independence and social inclusion.

The YSAS role will be responsible for providing the youth support element of the Pilot, to enable participants to effectively engage in the Certificate and related opportunities in the broader community.

Your key responsibilities will include

• The facilitation of a weekly pro-social evening drop-in program that is developmentally appropriate and responsive to young people in the target group from communities in the South East Metropolitan region of Melbourne.
• Provide culturally meaningful and effective service responses to young people, their peers and their families (where appropriate) that is mindful of their unique cultural background and experience of life in the Cities Of Greater Dandenong and Casey
• Support and encourage young people to develop links with other services, arts, cultural and sporting activities and the communities they live in.
• Use a range of modalities to build rapport and enhance retention of young people in the program including assertive follow up; home visits; recreation activities; group programs; and after hours support.
• Develop and establish collaborative relationships with key stakeholders to enhance service co-ordination; this will include other initiatives and programs in the SMR such as the Victorian Government Social Cohesion project, Youth Crime Prevention, and others to be determined.
• Maintain a high standard of documentation and reporting in all areas of service delivery

Further Enquiries

For a confidential discussion about the position, please contact the Manager Day Program and Community Engagement Sarah Lalley on 0419 867 212

• YSAS is an equal opportunity employer and we welcome applications from all sectors of the community.
• YSAS has a zero tolerance for child abuse and is committed to the provision of a child-safe organisation.

Due to the predicted volume of applications, please note you will only be contacted if you are successful in progressing to a first round interview.