This role is responsible for working with young people from 15 – 21 years who are in Uniting’s Permanency Support Program (PSP) to facilitate a seamless transition from care to independent living.

This coaching role is part of a dynamic team across NSW, implementing a new program and a new way of working with young people. An Advantaged Thinking approach will support the development of young people’s self-determination and will enable a transition to independence that promotes the individual dreams and aspirations of young people enrolled in the program.

We are looking for a Youth Development Coach in Dubbo NSW for a 1 year contract working 3 days a week.

As the Youth Development Coach, your role specifically will:

• Engage with young people 15 and up in the Permanency Support Program to establish a trusted relationship built on the principles of Advantaged Thinking
• Work collaboratively with PSP staff to respond promptly and effectively on young people needs
• Provide a critical relationship and point of contact before, during and after the young person’s transition from care
• Provide tailored and structured coaching and learning experiences for young people using the Advantaged Thinking approach
• Facilitate access to education and employment opportunities
• Directly provide and facilitate access to independent living skills learning opportunities
• Provide support to actively build family and community connections and to build cultural connections where appropriate
• Contribute to the development of the young person’s leaving care plan in collaboration with the PSP case worker
• Facilitate the implementation of the young person’s leaving care plan post 18 years
• Assist the young person with developing strategies to manage a range of relationships, change and crisis
• Support the young person to establish, navigate and use support networks and the mainstream service system for identified needs
• Actively participate in the implementation and evaluation of a new program

Qualifications and Experience

Typically, this role will require four or more years’ experience in the youth sector or equivalent.

Tertiary qualifications in Social Sciences and or demonstrated relevant work experience with young people or equivalent.

Skills (selection criteria)

• Demonstrated passion and commitment to working with young people
• Knowledge of the issues and barriers that impact young people leaving care and the multiple service systems they navigate
• Be organised, accurate, transparent and accountable according to Uniting policies and procedures
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain positive, honest and productive relationships with young people, carers, PSP Case Workers and the team
• Demonstrated dedication to meet young people needs and commitment to work with them in collaboration, driven by their goals and aspirations for their future
• You will be continuing to develop in your area of expertise and be expected to provide innovative ideas to solve problems in your discipline.
• Ability to initiate and develop positive connections with relevant agencies, programs and services in local communities and facilitate young people’s access to these as required
• Excellent communication skills including advocacy, diplomacy and tact, mediation, conflict resolution, and written skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, willingness to be trained in a data collection system
• Ability to recognise and respond effectively to safety and risk concerns and make the wellbeing of the young person paramount
• Ability to work cooperatively in a team and support other team members
• Ability to facilitate and deliver learning opportunities to young people to develop their independent living skills
• Ability to contribute to the development, continuous improvement and evaluation of the extended care pilot
• Ability to prioritise tasks, manage time and administration responsibilities effectively and work independent
• Willingness to work flexible hours and ability to travel interstate for team meeting or training

For Further Information Contact: Zoe Banbury on [email protected], using the subject line: Youth Development Coach - Dubbo enquiry via EthicalJobs.

Please note applications must include a cover letter addressing the selection criteria.

Employment with Uniting is subject to satisfactory background checks which include a National Police Check, Reference Check and Working with Children’s Check.