Youth Worker

Make a meaningful difference with UnitingCare Queensland. At UnitingCare, we are leaders in crisis response, the protection of vulnerable people and children, financial resilience and family wellbeing. Our FaDS (Family and Disability Services) team work passionately across Queensland to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. As a Youth Worker, you’ll be encouraged to grow, develop and feel empowered to make the everyday easier for the people we care so passionately about.

Your part in our UnitingCare team will involve:

• Working in accordance with the CARE model, making a meaningful difference in the lives of children, young people and families by taking a therapeutic-centred approach.
• Supporting the provision of stable, trauma-informed, nurturing non-family-based care arrangements.
• Helping young people in our care who have moderate to extreme needs to feel safe and nurtured in a stable environment.
• Supporting the practical application of the CARE model when caring for the children in their care.
• Building positive and trusting connections with family, friends and community.
• Helping them develop to their full potential, growing strong social and interpersonal skills.
• Encouraging healthy lifestyle choices and access to health care services.
• Maintaining a clean and safe home environment.
• Completing verbal and written reports as well as managing other day-to-day tasks.

What makes a difference for us?

• Hold or be enrolled in a Certificate Level IV in Child, Youth & Family Intervention or hold a minimum certificate IV in Human Services, Community Services, Youth Services or related field.
• Experience incorporating the six CARE Principles when supporting Children and Young People, or reflection on how you would incorporate these into your practice.
• Hope and Healing Training or be willing to undertake this.
• A solid understanding of the child protection system, as well as having a strong therapeutic background, would be highly advantageous.
• Availability to work in a 24hr roster system.
• Ability to build strong relationships with young people.
• Current Blue Card (Working with Children), First Aid & CPR and QLD Driver Licence.
• Must also be willing to undergo a personal history check under the provision of the Child Protection Act 1999 in relation to Licensing of Care Services (LCS2 screening check).

What makes a difference for you?

• Flexible work arrangements to support work-life balance.
• NFP Salary Packaging: Save tax and increase your take-home pay by salary packaging your everyday living expenses and bills (up to $15,900) and meal entertainment (up to $2,650) per annum.
• A recognition and rewards platform, providing employee discounts at hundreds of retailers, including everyday expenses, holidays, health insurance, annual awards celebration, wellbeing and employee assistance programs.
• 12 weeks paid parental leave and 2 weeks paid partner leave, available after 6 months service, in addition to the government scheme.
• Diversity and inclusive leave, offering paid gender affirmation leave and cultural leave options (paid and unpaid) for those who may celebrate Lunar New Year, Diwali, Ramadan, NAIDOC weeks and other significant cultural events.
• Career development opportunities to challenge yourself, grow and make a meaningful difference.
• A positive and inclusive team based on respect, shared standards, strong values and a commitment to serving others.

Joining our FaDS team, you’ll also be welcomed as part of the UnitingCare family. We are committed to providing equal opportunities to all employees no matter their sex, race, culture, sexual orientation, disability or gender identity. UnitingCare strongly encourages Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants for this position.

We are united in keeping children, young people and the elderly safe from harm, within our services, workplaces and the communities we support. Our recruitment and workplace practices reflect our dedication in preventing abuse, harm and exploitation across UnitingCare.