About Our Organisation:

Youth Off The Streets is a not-for-profit youth organisation that provides safety, support and opportunities for young people to build a positive future. We offer crisis accommodation and housing services, alternative high school education, alcohol and other drugs counselling, youth justice support, life skills and employment programs, cultural support and community engagement, among other services. We focus on early interventions that empower young people and strengthen communities.

About the Role:

The Team Leader Crisis Accommodation reports to the YSS Operations Manager, ensuring the effective and efficient day to day operations of YOTS’ crisis accommodation at the Inner West Youth Homelessness Services (IWYHS). The Team Leader plans and facilitates house-based support that enables young people to develop their capacity to take responsibility for their lives and achieve their goals. The Team Leader is the first point of reference for Residential youth worker staff.

Key Responsibilities:

• The Team Leader is responsible for the proper use of systems in line with program guidelines and reports on program deliverables.
• To promote a safe and nurturing environment for young people, 16-21 years experiencing or at risk of homelessness and ensure the service meets WH&S and best practice compliance.
• To operate and administrate YOTS two crisis accommodation services in the Inner West of Sydney and supervise the resident youth work staff (Youth Workers).
• Ensure that the service meets accreditation standards and contractual agreements.
• Promote the service within the industry’s community and across the funded district.
• Develop and manage a varied and viable program of therapeutic, education, sports, arts, living skills and recreational activities for young people
• Provide on-call support to residential youth workers after hours and on weekends, as part of a rotating roster.
• To support the Senior Youth Workers to develop, in collaboration with Youth Worker & young people, appropriate and evidenced based programs to support living skills development and capacity, that promotes the development of age-appropriate life and living skills to enable them to transition into more independent housing pathways.
• To ensure appropriate boundaries and behaviours are displayed by all staff and volunteer who access the services.

Skills and Abilities:

• Strong understanding of Child Safe principles, policies and responsibilities
• Awareness of risk factors associated with abuse and neglect of children and young people
• Experience working with Children’s Guardian, The Office of the Ombudsman, Department of Community Services (FACS), Police and Juvenile Justice.
• Knowledge of adolescent/adult mental health issues and theory
• Ability to effectively convey information using the appropriate communication medium for the audience. (I.e. organise and structure information, use correct grammar, language and terminology).
• Ability to work effectively with team or work group to achieve goals.
• Ability to obtain, use and critique technical knowledge in areas of expertise (e.g. Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI).
• Ability to identify, collect and review information for use in tasks or projects.

Requirements:

Experience

• Experience supervising and managing staff in a 24-hour care setting
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in case management theory, best practice principles and their application in residential care/child protection
• A demonstrated working knowledge of the youth and welfare sectors, their services and systems and strong working relationships within these sectors.
• Past experience with Children’s Guardian, The Office of the Ombudsman, Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ), NSW Police and Juvenile Justice.
• Knowledge of adolescent/adult mental health issues and theory

Selection Criteria

Essential:

• Qualifications in Behavioural Sciences or Social Work or similar, along with relevant sector training OR Diploma level qualifications in Youth Work, Community Services, or similar and minimum 5 years’ experience in youth sector.
• Experience in management and leadership of staff
• A thorough knowledge of current youth issues, adolescent development and best practice models working with youth.
• High level of conflict resolution and interpersonal skills in order to build relationships with staff, volunteers, clients, partners and community members.
• High level of written and oral communication skills
• Current Driver’s Licence
• Must be able to work both in a team environment and independently
• Demonstrate a thorough understanding of the principles that underpin a child safe organisation including mandatory child protection procedures
• Have an understanding of adolescent development
• Demonstrate capacity to respect and work effectively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and people of diverse cultural backgrounds

Desirable:

• Experience in managing therapeutic programs

What we can offer you:

• Flexible working arrangements
• A supportive team environment
• Career progression and development pathways
• EAP for yourself and your family
• Salary packaging up to $15,900
• Rewards and benefits program

At Youth Off The Streets, diversity, equity and inclusion are part of our DNA. Together, we continue to build an inclusive culture that encourages, supports, and celebrates the diverse voices of our people. It fuels our innovation and connects us closer to our customers and the communities we serve.

Youth off The Streets is an EEO Employer and a child safe organisation

This is a rare opportunity to join a passionate and high profile not for profit organisation that values the current youth of today and the youth of tomorrow.

The successful candidate will be requested to submit applications for a NSW Working With Children Check and Police Check. You will also be required to have a valid Australian Drivers Licence and unrestricted Australian working rights.

We encourage people who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander to apply for this position.