Youth Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
54 reasons is Australia’s leading child rights organisation, part of the Save the Children Australia Group and a global movement dedicated to ensuring that children and young people have their rights met and thrive in all their diversity. The organization focuses on providing quality services to children and their caregivers across every state and territory, including remote areas and capital cities. With a workforce of approximately 600 employees, 54 reasons values diversity in race, ethnicity, gender, age, disability, sexuality, cultures, and beliefs, recognizing that it takes a variety of people to effectively address the challenges faced by vulnerable populations.

Job Overview:
The Youth Specialist position is a part-time, fixed-term role for six months, designed to support young people aged 10–22 who are involved with or at risk of becoming involved with the youth justice system. The role is part of the Break the Cycle (BTC) 54 program, which aims to help these young individuals build safer futures and stronger community connections. The Youth Specialist will work collaboratively with families and key stakeholders, including Youth Justice, Child Protection, schools, and community agencies, to deliver strengths-based, trauma-informed case management. The position emphasizes building meaningful therapeutic relationships that promote safety, wellbeing, and positive change, while also supporting young people in engaging with education, employment, training, and community activities.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Youth Specialist will be responsible for delivering strengths-based, trauma-informed case management to young people aged 10–2

• This includes building meaningful therapeutic relationships that promote safety and wellbeing, supporting young people to engage with education, employment, training, and community activities, and collaborating with families and key stakeholders such as Youth Justice, Child Protection, schools, and community agencies. Additionally, the role requires completing accurate case notes, reports, and outcome measures within required timeframes, ensuring that all interactions and interventions are documented and evaluated effectively.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates for the Youth Specialist position must have experience working with vulnerable children, young people, and families. A strong understanding of trauma-informed, strengths-based, and culturally safe practices is essential. Excellent communication and relationship-building skills are required, along with the confidence to work independently within community settings. A relevant qualification in Youth Work, Social Work, or Community Services is also necessary to ensure that the candidate is equipped with the knowledge and skills to support young people effectively.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a relevant qualification in Youth Work, Social Work, or Community Services. This educational foundation is crucial for understanding the complexities of working with vulnerable populations and implementing effective support strategies that align with the organization's mission and values.

Experience:
The position requires candidates to have experience working with vulnerable children, young people, and families. This experience should encompass a strong understanding of trauma-informed care and strengths-based approaches, as well as the ability to navigate the challenges faced by young people in the youth justice system. Candidates should demonstrate a history of successful engagement with youth and families, showcasing their ability to build trust and foster positive relationships.

Languages:
While the job description does not specify mandatory languages, proficiency in English is essential for effective communication with young people, families, and stakeholders. Additional language skills may be considered an asset, particularly in communities with diverse linguistic backgrounds, as they can enhance the ability to connect with and support a broader range of clients.

Additional Notes:
This is a part-time, fixed-term role for six months, with flexibility in how the four working days are arranged to support work-life balance. The position is based in Shepparton, Victoria, Australia, and offers an award rate salary of $44.58 per hour, along with access to full PBI salary packaging benefits. The organization provides supportive management, professional supervision training, and monthly supervision sessions to ensure employees feel supported in their roles. Additionally, there are wellness programs available, including a free, confidential Employee Wellbeing Program. The organization encourages applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates and emphasizes its commitment to diversity and inclusion in the recruitment process.