Family Support Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
54 reasons is Australia’s leading child rights organisation, proudly 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 operates across every state and territory in Australia, providing quality services to children and their caregivers, including in remote areas and capital cities. With a workforce of approximately 600 people, 54 reasons embraces diversity in race, ethnicity, gender, age, disability, sexuality, cultures, and beliefs, fostering an inclusive environment where all employees can feel supported and valued.

Job Overview:
The Family Support Specialist position is a full-time, maximum term role within the Intensive Bail Initiative Team, located in Mount Isa, Queensland. This role is designed to support families of young people who have interacted with the youth justice system, providing them with the necessary tools and resources to thrive. The position involves working closely with external stakeholders to enhance the safety and wellbeing of children, aiming to assist young people in meeting their bail conditions, reducing the number of children remanded in custody, and decreasing youth reoffending rates. The role emphasizes a holistic approach to case management, ensuring that the voices of children and young people are prioritized and heard throughout the process.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Family Support Specialist will be responsible for intensive case work with families of young people involved in the youth justice system. Key duties include: working closely with families to provide follow-up support and referrals to specialist services; ensuring that the voices of children and young people are heard and considered in all aspects of case management; identifying the strengths of families, establishing program goals, and reviewing client progress towards these goals; delivering holistic case management to vulnerable and disadvantaged families; and collaborating with external stakeholders to enhance community safety and wellbeing.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must demonstrate experience in case management, particularly within the youth justice system, and possess knowledge of relevant legislation. A strong understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and families is essential. Additionally, candidates should have strong report writing, analytical, and evaluation skills, including the ability to collate and analyze data. A tertiary qualification in a relevant field is preferred, along with significant experience in a similar service environment.

Educational Background:
A tertiary qualification in social work, psychology, or a related field is required for this position. Candidates with significant relevant experience may also be considered in lieu of formal qualifications. The educational background should ideally include training or coursework related to child welfare, family support, or youth justice.

Experience:
The position requires demonstrated experience in case management, particularly with families involved in the youth justice system. Candidates should have a proven track record of working effectively with vulnerable populations and possess a strong understanding of the challenges faced by these families. Experience in a similar service environment is highly desirable, as is familiarity with the relevant legislation governing youth justice.

Languages:
While the job description does not specify mandatory languages, proficiency in English is essential for effective communication. Knowledge of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages may be considered advantageous, as it can enhance engagement with the communities served by the organization.

Additional Notes:
This is a full-time position with a maximum term contract through to the end of March 2026, with the potential for extension. The role offers a generous award rate salary (Level 4.1 – currently $43.08 per hour, with an increase scheduled for July) along with full salary packaging benefits. Employees are entitled to extra leave options to support their wellbeing and performance. The organization provides supportive management, professional supervision training, and access to a confidential Employee Wellbeing Program. Opportunities for internal deployment, secondment, and career progression within one of Australia’s largest non-profits are also available.