Join an exciting new opportunity with the Australian Childhood Foundation in collaboration with the Specialist Assessment and Treatment Service in Alice Springs.

The Australian Childhood Foundation has a strong reputation for delivery of clinical and support services, professional training and secondary consultation programs built upon contemporary evidence, cultural knowledge and practice experience and based upon theoretical frameworks including the neurobiology of trauma, attachment and relational theories and child development. These theoretical frameworks provides the foundation upon which all elements of care and intervention are provided by our Therapeutic Services programs. The voice of children and young people is also essential in guiding our service delivery.

The Foundation currently provides a range of innovative national therapeutic services including specialist assessments and trauma counselling services for children, young people and their families who have experienced abuse and family violence, harmful sexual behaviour treatment programs for children and young people and therapeutic models of foster, residential and kinship care.

The Youth Support Service will provide throughcare support to up to ten young people allocated by the Specialist Assessment and Treatment Service (SATS). The Youth Worker will work in collaboration with SATS to ensure that program activity meets the needs of young people. The Youth Worker will be based in Alice Springs and will travel to Central Australian remote communities if required.

About the Role

The Youth Worker plays a key role in ensuring positive outcomes for children and young people involved with the Youth Justice system by supporting connection to family and culture, providing throughcare support and brief interventions.

Your key responsibilities will include facilitating connections to family and culture, supporting pre-release planning, and ensuring appropriate referrals for medical and other follow-ups. The Youth Worker will also conduct wellbeing checks and interventions, provide advocacy and referrals, and engage with primary health care services to support court appearances and case management.

This is a full-time fixed-term contract through until 31st December 2025.

Join us in making a difference in the lives of at-risk youth.

About You

We are seeking an individual with:

• A Diploma in Community Services or Youth Justice or equivalent or significant experience.
• Passion, energy and determination to make a difference to life outcomes for at risk young people.
• Substantial experience engaging with at risk children and young people.
• Demonstrated experience working with Aboriginal children, young people and families.
• A sophisticated understanding of the complexity of the service system and the issues involved in providing services to statutory clients.
• Demonstrated commitment to working collaboratively.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to engage and work creatively with at risk young people.
• Personal values consistent with the values of the organisation.
• A current driver's licence and Working with Children Check or equivalent.

Remuneration and Benefits

• Competitive Compensation: Commensurate with experience and qualifications.
• Salary Packaging: Customise your rewards to align with your financial goals.
• Employee Assistance Program: Benefit from a range of support services for wellbeing.
• Guided Supervision: Regular individual and group supervision for clinical guidance.
• Collaborative Connections: Join a nationwide network of professionals making a difference.

How to apply

To apply, please click "Apply Now" and attach a copy of your Resume and Cover Letter addressing the About You/Key Selection Criteria.

For more information or to request a copy of the position description, please email [email protected] using the subject line: Youth Worker - Alice Springs enquiry via EthicalJobs.

Applications will close when a suitable candidate is found so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

Australian Childhood Foundation (ACF) is committed to protecting children and young people from harm. We require all applicants to undergo an extensive screening process prior to appointment.

ACF is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with cultural and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and people with a disability are strongly encouraged to apply.

Members of the LGBTQIA+ community are strongly encouraged to apply.