Support Worker Children's Services – Townsville

Change a Child's Story. Grow Your Own Purpose. Career growth. Real impact. Could you be the person a young person remembers because you showed up when they needed you most? At Aruma, you’ll support children and young people aged 5-18 who have experienced trauma, loss and disruption. You’ll help them feel safe, build trust, discover their strengths and develop the confidence and skills to thrive.

Some days you’ll be kicking a footy, heading out into the community or celebrating a big achievement. Other days, you’ll be helping a young person navigate a difficult moment. It’s not always easy. But it matters. And while you help young people grow, we’ll help you grow too.

As a Support Worker, you’ll help create a safe, nurturing and inclusive home where young people can be themselves, build relationships and work towards their goals. You’ll:

• Build genuine, trusting relationships with children and young people
• Support everyday life including school, appointments, life skills and recreation
• Create safe, trauma-informed and developmentally appropriate environments
• Support young people to build independence, confidence and resilience
• Encourage participation in sport, music, art, community activities and hobbies
• Help young people navigate challenges and celebrate their successes
• Advocate for their rights, voice, choices and aspirations
• Work collaboratively with families, schools, therapeutic professionals and your team

No two shifts are the same. That’s part of what makes the work so rewarding. Residential care isn’t simply about managing behaviours. It’s about understanding the story behind them. Children and young people in out-of-home care may have experienced significant adversity. Your consistency, patience and ability to build relationships can help create the safety and trust they need to move forward.

At Aruma, we believe every child and young person deserves dignity, inclusion, choice and the opportunity to live the life they want. Our HEART values guide how we work:

• Human Rights Warriors - champion dignity, inclusion and equality
• Enjoy Life - create moments of joy, connection and possibility
• Awesome Participants - support young people to live the lives they choose
• Revolutionary Spirit - challenge the status quo and find better ways
• Terrific Teams - work alongside people who care as much as you do

We know meaningful work is only part of the picture. You also want to know that your employer will invest in your future. At Aruma, we want your first role with us to be the beginning of a career - not simply your next job. As you grow your skills and experience, you’ll have opportunities to develop, step into leadership and pursue further learning.

Your first role with Aruma doesn’t have to be your last. Whether you want to deepen your expertise, gain a qualification, explore leadership or take your career in a new direction, we’ll support you to keep learning and growing.

Are You the Person We’re Looking For? You don’t need to have all the answers. You do need to care, be willing to learn and show up. You’ll be someone who is:

• Passionate about helping children and young people succeed
• Patient, empathetic and able to build trust
• Curious, reflective and open to learning
• Reliable, resilient and emotionally aware
• A strong communicator and team player
• Committed to human rights, inclusion and choice
• Comfortable working across a 24/7 residential care environment

A Certificate IV in Child, Youth and Family Intervention (Residential Care) or equivalent is highly regarded, including those currently working towards the qualification. You’ll also need:

• First Aid and CPR
• Working With Children Check
• NDIS Worker Screening Check
• Current driver’s licence and insured vehicle

This is a 24/7 service, so your roster may include:

• Day shifts
• Evening shifts
• Sleepovers
• Weekends
• Public holidays

Flexibility and consistency are important to help young people experience the stability they deserve. Every Child Matters. Your Work Can Make the Difference. At Aruma, we’re not just filling shifts. We’re building teams of people who believe every child deserves safety, belonging and the opportunity to reach their potential. If you want a job where you can make a genuine difference, be part of a supportive team and build a career with purpose, we’d love to hear from you.

Our Commitment At Aruma, we’re committed to building a workforce that reflects the community we serve. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and are focused on creating an inclusive, high-performing workplace.

Our Recruitment Approach We review applications as they come in and move quickly to interview great candidates, so we encourage you to apply early. While we include an indicative closing date, roles may close sooner if we find the right person. Applications received later in the process may not progress. If you’re unsuccessful and would value feedback, please feel welcome to reach out to our Talent team.