• Seeking a Youth Worker – Cubby House (Wyndham Children’s Court)
• Create a safe space for children & young people visiting the Children's Court
• Use your skills to build trusted relationships that are integral to child safety
• Access full NFP salary packaging and additional leave

We’re seeking an engaged, purpose driven individual to coordinate the operations of the Cubby House at the Wyndham Children’s Court. We welcome applications from candidates who are available to work between 2 and 5 days per week, Monday to Friday.

About the Alannah & Madeline Foundation:

The Alannah & Madeline Foundation was set up in memory of Alannah and Madeline Mikac, aged six and three, who were tragically killed with their mother and 32 others at Port Arthur, Tasmania, on 28 April 1996. In memory of his daughters, Walter Mikac and a small group of volunteers set up the

Foundation with the belief that all children should have a safe and happy childhood without being subjected to violence. The then Prime Minister launched the Foundation on 30 April 1997. 
 
The Foundation: 

• identifies issues that adversely affect the wellbeing of children; we work to help them recover and protect them from bullying and violence

• works across the spectrum of prevention and care to deliver state-of-the-art, evidence-based programs and products

• works with the best minds to identify and reduce significant threats to children’s safety through innovation and partnerships

• speaks out on the need for systemic change to build a supportive and safe society

Our organisation has the highest commitment to child safety, and our Child Safe - Policy outlines our safe practices for children.
 
Our organisation values are embedded into every way in which we operate at the Foundation. Everyone has a responsibility to promote and demonstrate our values:  We are curious, We are kind, always, We lead with authenticity, We believe in the power of play, We take action.

Position in context: 

Reporting to the Cubby House Coordinator, the Youth Worker is a member of the Children and Families team.
 
The Cubby House program operates at Melbourne, Broadmeadows and Wyndham courts. The Youth Worker plays a vital role in creating a safe, welcoming and engaging environment for children and young people attending the Cubby House. Based primarily at Wyndham Children's Court, this role also provides support across our Melbourne and Broadmeadows locations as needed, helping ensure children and families receive a consistent, high-quality experience wherever they access the service.
 
In this role you will oversee children and young people (“children”) who visit the Cubby House: a safe waiting room where the majority are in protective care of the Department Families, Fairness and

Housing (DFFH). You will also be responsible for building and maintaining effective, collaborative relationships with other community, court and public service colleagues to enable children’s voices to be heard and their court experience to be safe.

Major Job Responsibilities:

• Provide safe space through child-focused support, advocacy and trauma-informed responses through a broad variety of therapeutic activities, to children attending the Cubby House, the majority of whom are under the protective care of DFFH

• Manage the day-to-day operations of the Cubby House, including the provision of a clean, organised and child centred space with appropriate activities and equipment for a developmentally and culturally diverse range of children, noting the majority will be 10 years and older

• Complete appropriate, relevant case notes and data input in a timely manner

• Ensure behaviours are managed to provide a safe environment for all who use the space
• Maintain and grow effective relationships with all stakeholders including DFFH Child Protection staff, private and government lawyers,
  magistrates and other court staff, court security and protective service officers, court chaplains, court staff, Family Drug Treatment Court staff and other child and family welfare sector workers

Knowledge, Experience & Requirements:

• A qualification in Youth Work or equivalent discipline, or study towards this qualification (desirable)
• Experience working with children and families, preferably those involved with Child Protection (essential)
• Experience with and demonstrated capacity to engage with traumatised children and young people and manage a range of complex behaviours (essential)
• Capacity to work in a complex court environment; capacity to work flexibly and respond to the needs of children and families in the court environment
• An understanding of social welfare and policy environments, as well as of the best practice care models and theories relating to child trauma and violence
• Well-developed communication skills, experience and maturity to build enduring relationships with the care sector and related stakeholders such as court and DFFH staff

What we offer you: 

• Access to full NFP salary packaging benefits
• Flexibility and Wellbeing focus
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) available
• Additional 5 days leave each year, on top of the statutory holiday entitlement
• A supportive and friendly team environment
• Learning & Development budget
• 8 weeks paid primary carer leave or 2 weeks paid secondary carer leave
• Substitution of Public Holidays (Australia Day, Good Friday and Easter Monday)

To apply:

Please review the full position description for this role by following the below link and ensure you address the 'Knowledge, Experience and Requirements' section in your application.
 
PD_Youth-Worker-Cubby-House.pdf 

We will be short-listing candidates prior to the closure of this role, so please do not delay submitting your application.
 
For further information contact Jacki Buchbinder – Children & Families Manager via [email protected] using the subject line: Youth Worker enquiry via EthicalJobs.

Important - please note:

• The Alannah & Madeline Foundation has the highest commitment to child safety. A police check and current Working with Children Check (or equivalent) are required for the successful applicant