• Young Healthy Minds Service- Early Intervention Mental Health Program
• Part-time position (4 days per week)
• Based in Newcastle
• Work with LGBTIQA+ and young people in the community.

About us

Wesley Mission is a high profile, multi-faceted Christian organisation making a real difference in the community. We work with the most disadvantaged in our community by providing over 200 services ranging from aged care, homeless services, child and family care, counselling, employment, training and education, and health services.

Our Vision is “A Spirit-led disciple-making movement: doing all the good we can because every life matters”.

About the role

We are looking for an outstanding Child, Youth & Family worker who is conscientious, reliable, and motivated about making a difference. The Child, Youth and Family worker works within the Young Healthy Minds Service which is funded by Department of Social Services under the Family Mental Health Support Services program to provide a tailored service to children, young people and their families who are experiencing emerging mental health concerns.

All staff at Child, Youth & Family work hard to develop and maintain harmonious working relationships in an autonomous-supportive work environment where they are all trained to be the best in their field. Wesley Mission provides regular supervision, support, and training for all staff.

The Child, Youth and Family Worker, works within the Young Healthy Minds Service with a passion and experience of the GLBTIQA+ community in Newcastle (Mulubinba). Young Healthy Minds Service collaborates with young people and their families, to improve a child or young person’s mental health by working with them and their family to strengthen the protective factors in their life and address the risk factors. We are seeking a person who has experience of the sexuality and/or gender diverse community to ensure we are responding to the unique challenges and disadvantage GLTBIQA young people face when they identify as gender and/or sexuality diverse. We centre the voices of young people in our service to ensure we meet the needs of each child, young person and family so they can build the skills and confidence they need to achieve their goals.

The Child, Youth and Family Caseworker will provide service via groups and one-on-one interventions to children and young people who are exploring their identity, cultural connections and the role of mental health in their lives. This person will also facilitate a weekly Queer group at the centre.

Essential criteria

• a relevant degree level qualification (for example: Social Work, Social Science, Psychology, Psychological science)
• minimum 2 years’ experience working in the community welfare system
• knowledge of sexuality and/or gender diverse (LGBTIQA+) community in Newcastle, including services and supports available to young people who identify as LGBTIQA+. Use examples
• demonstrate your genuine interest and commitment to collaborating with First Nation, LGBTIQA+, and people of colour. Use examples
• extensive group leadership experience with young people
• experience in therapeutic interventions with young people in both individual and group settings
• strengths based case management experience with the ability to engage young people and families at the point of initial contact and build collaborative working relationships
• experience developing case summaries & child protection reports
• ability to develop and maintain professional relationships with related stakeholder groups
• experience with providing flexible service to children, young people and their families via home visiting, schools visits and centre-based care
• high level time management skills
• current NSW or National driver’s licence
• Working with Children’s Check & criminal record history check and ability to work in schools.

Desirable Criteria

• a broad understanding of the local child and family support sector.

Remuneration

Salary and employment conditions are in accordance with the SCHADS Award Level 5 plus super. Generous salary packaging, a motor vehicle and applicable allowances available.

Wesley Mission is a Christian organisation requiring all staff to affirm its values and Worker code of conduct. We are committed to providing an environment in which children can feel safe and valued.

The suitable applicant will be subject to the relevant pre-employment checks for appointment to positions within Wesley Mission (including provision of a valid Working with Children Check clearance number).

Wesley Child, Youth and Family team is committed to ensuring our workforce reflects the communities we work within. Whilst not a requirement, we strongly encourage people from the following background/s to apply:

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
• people of colour (e.g. identifying as cultural, religious and/or ethnically diverse)

Please find an Application Pack, including Position Description, here: Child, Youth & Family Worker | Wesley Mission

Recruitment Process

1. a brief telephone conversation to confirm details of the role and arrange a telephone interview
2. telephone interview
3. online aptitude testing and a behavioural questionnaire
4. face-to-face interview
5. reference & probity checks.

If you have any queries, please contact Kaia Ireson on 0427 951 486.