Residential Youth Worker

Are you ready to grow your career in the community services sector and make a real impact? Join MacKillop Family Services in our Out of Home Care (OoHC) program, and gain hands on experience across the East Metro region of Melbourne VIC.

About the role

Established in 1997, MacKillop Family Services (MacKillop) strives to ensure all families are supported to provide children with a safe and permanent home, and the best possible start to their lives. Our work is underpinned by our values of justice, hope, compassion and respect, and by a deep understanding of the impact of trauma, informed by the Sanctuary Model.

MacKillop Family Services is recruiting compassionate Residential Youth Workers to join our East Metro Out of Home Care (OoHC) program. Our programs provide support to young people with high and complex needs, offering therapeutic care for those in protective placements. Through our Residential Services, we create supportive homes for children and young people referred by the Child Protection system, making a real difference every day.

We have multiple opportunities across our Eastern Metro Out of Home Care (OoHC) Program. Our Eastern services span across councils such as Monash, Whitehorse, Maroondah, and Yarra Ranges. We are seeking applications for Days, Afternoons and Active Night (Stand Up) shifts.

As a Residential Youth Worker, you will:

• Support the daily running of the home, including household tasks and safety checks to ensure a secure environment.
• Provide high quality care, creating a safe and nurturing space for children and young people.
• Engage in recreational and therapeutic activities, helping young people build confidence and positive experiences.
• Communicate and document clearly, ensuring accurate handovers and sharing relevant information with team and support services.
• Work collaboratively and sensitively, respecting cultural diversity and supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people.

Key Selection Criteria

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• A preferred Certificate IV in Child, Youth and Family Intervention qualification, including four (4) additional mandatory competencies (Residential Care Skill Set) or; relevant Cert IV, Diploma or Bachelor including four (4) additional mandatory competencies (Residential Care Skill Set).
• A genuine passion for supporting young people, with empathy and a non-judgemental approach.
• Highly developed capacity for emotional self-regulation including the capacity to set and maintain consistent boundaries to provide safety, stability and consistency.
• Understanding of trauma-informed practice and how to best support children and young people in care (desirable)
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team, contributing to positive outcomes and program goals.

For a full listing please view the Position Description at the bottom of this page. For Seek and LinkedIn applicants, the Position Description will be available when you click 'apply'

For more information, please contact:

Shae Graafmans at or on

Why Join MacKillop?

• Remuneration - Hourly Rateof $35.67 to $41.45 as outlined in the SCHCADS Award Level 2 to 3 dependent on qualifications and experience.
• Salary packaging-We can help you to maximise yoursalary packaging up to $18,550 per year, which allows you to reduce the amount of tax you pay.
• Paid Training - Industry specific training including Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI), Sanctuary and Cultural Awareness training.
• Fitness Passport - A discounted workplace health and fitness program available to you and your family, for a fraction of the price of a regular gym membership.
• Employee Assistance Program - Free access to a wide range of options with all aspects of life such as social, financial, physical, mental health by providing counselling and coaching supporting relating both to your circumstance, even including health advice from qualified nutritionists.
• Supportive Environment - Monthly supportive meetings with your direct manager.
• Sanctuary Organisation - MacKillop's work is underpinned by the Sanctuary Model, an evidence-supported, whole of organisation framework that brings our values to life. The model reinforces our ability to create a safe environment that teaches people to cope effectively with stress and trauma, and to heal.

You must have a:

• Valid and current Driver's Licence;
• Satisfactory Criminal History Check (paid for by MacKillop);
• Valid Employee Working with Children Check;
• Valid and current NDIS Workers Screening Check (for risk assessed / client facing roles).
• A relevant minimum mandatory qualification, including completion of four (4) additional mandatory competencies (Residential Care Skill Set)

Please note:

Completion of the Residential Care Skill Set units is required for your application to be considered. Alternatively, you must be willing to enrol and complete these units upon successful appointment.

The four mandatory units are:

• CHCPRT034 - Work with children and young people with complex trauma attachment issues and needs (formerly CHCPRT010)
• CHCMHS007 - Work effectively in trauma informed care
• CHCPRT033 - Provide support to children and youth in out-of-home care (formerly CHCPRT009)
• CHCCCS009 - Facilitate responsible behaviour

MacKillop is not liable for any costs associated with enrolment in these units. This cost is the responsibility of the candidate. Candidates must select their own education provider, as MacKillop is not affiliated with any provider.

Our Commitment

MacKillop celebrates and draws strength from diversity and respects the dignity of all people. Every person at MacKillop has the right to be safe and to be treated justly. We value every person's ability, cultural or linguistic backgrounds, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, intersex status, relationship status, religious or spiritual beliefs, socio-economic status, and age.

It is our goal that MacKillop Family Services continues to evolve as a culturally safe, culturally competent, and welcoming organisation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, young people, families, and communities.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. Shortlisting for applications to begin immediately

so don't wait - apply now!