About the business and the role

The Youth Initiative (YI) is an initiative that aims to prevent homelessness among young people leaving care by building their capacity, skills and capability. The primary purpose of this position is to work alongside young people transitioning out of Out of Home Care (OOHC) services to support and mentor them to develop networks and skills for independence and successful community living.

The role of the Education & Employment Mentor is to build an understanding of the young person's history, interests, ability and aptitude to motivate the client to create and implement an education and/or employment plan with the purpose of achieving engagement in sustained learning and/or earning opportunities.

Job tasks and responsibilities

Acting as a personal coach, the Education & Employment Mentor actively motivates and supports the young person to achieve plan goals, including supporting the young person to build appropriate study or work skills, providing avenues for employment engagement, develop strategies to address barriers to engagement and celebrating achievements against plan goals. Mentors also liaise with local businesses to develop relationships to enhance opportunities for work experience or employment opportunities for young people and work closely with education and training providers and registered training organisations (RTO's) to provide support to the providers supporting our young people.

This role is a full-time fixed term contract; initially for twelve (12) months; and travel for work purposes will be required across the New England region.

Skills and experience

• You will ideally be an enthusiastic, knowledgeable individual with a heart for working alongside young people to assist them to develop necessary education or employment skills and motivate them to achieve their learning and earning goals.
• You will show flexibility in your approach with a focus on creating a trusting relationship with young person/s but with a clear goal of achieving planned outcomes and ensuring young people remain engaged in education or employment options on an ongoing basis and as a condition of participation in the Initiative.
• You will demonstrate cultural competence in your approach and interactions at all times and will adhere to Foundations Care Ltd core practice and policy frameworks, engaging in self-learning or training opportunities to further your knowledge and skills.
• You will bring your knowledge and networking skills and demonstrate an ability to focus solely on building resources and strategies to improve education and employment opportunities for young people in their communities.
• You will work alongside the young person and with related education and employment stakeholders, liaising with Initiative colleagues as necessary to ensure young people are, and remain, actively engaged in education and/or employment.

Training/Qualifications

• Minimum Cert IV in related fields of Human and/or Community Services 

Please note appointment to this role is subject to the following compulsory screening checks:

• National Police Check
• NSW – Working with Children Check

What we can offer you:

At Foundations Care you’ll be able to access a range of benefits:

• Salary packaging
• Ongoing training and career development opportunities
• Flexible working and family friendly environment
• Professional supervision and support
• Employee Assistance Program

How to apply:

Please click 'Apply now' and include in your application a copy of your resume and a cover letter addressing your suitability for the role.

Foundations Care is committed to adhering to the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations, where children's safety and wellbeing is at the centre of our thoughts, values and actions. 

Shortlisting for this position will commence immediately and the position will be closed when a suitable applicant has been sourced. 

If you have questions or technical issues, simply contact People + Culture Team via [email protected] using the subject line: Education & Employment Mentor - Youth Initiative - Tamworth enquiry via EthicalJobs - we welcome applications from First Nations people as well as those from diverse backgrounds!

We thank you in advance for your time, only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.