Youth Support Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
54 Reasons is Australia’s leading child rights organization, 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 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 people, 54 Reasons embraces diversity in race, ethnicity, gender, age, disability, sexuality, cultures, and beliefs, aiming to create a supportive environment for all employees.

Job Overview:
The Youth Support Specialist position is a full-time temporary role within the Bail Response Program, designed to support young people involved in the justice system and help them re-engage with work or learning. The specialist will work closely with young people and their families, ensuring their voices are heard and coordinating wraparound services to promote long-term wellbeing, community connection, education, and employment pathways. The role emphasizes the importance of building positive relationships with stakeholders and facilitating case planning, monitoring, and evaluation of outcomes. The specialist will utilize a strength-based, trauma-informed approach to develop case management plans and facilitate activities aimed at enhancing young people's social and emotional wellbeing, life skills, and educational attainment.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Youth Support Specialist will be responsible for the following duties:

• Provision of quality service delivery to young people and their families.
• Establishing and maintaining positive relationships with young people to support their engagement.
• Facilitating stakeholder relationship management to enhance support for young people.
• Developing case management plans using a strength-based trauma-informed approach.
• Facilitating activities that promote social and emotional wellbeing, life skills, and educational attainment for young people.
• Providing timely referrals and promoting access to additional services.
• Implementing behavioral management strategies in accordance with Save the Children’s youth work principles and as directed by the Team Leader.
• Monitoring and evaluating goal-setting outcomes to ensure effectiveness and progress.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates for the Youth Support Specialist position should possess the following qualifications:

• A deep understanding of youth work principles and practices, particularly in relation to supporting young people in the justice system.
• Strong interpersonal skills to build rapport with young people and their families.
• Experience in case management and the ability to develop and implement effective case plans.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care and strength-based approaches.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, to facilitate stakeholder engagement and service delivery.
• Ability to work collaboratively within a team and contribute to a positive organizational culture.

Educational Background:
The ideal candidate for the Youth Support Specialist role should have a relevant educational background, such as a degree in social work, psychology, youth work, or a related field. Additional certifications or training in trauma-informed care, case management, or youth engagement strategies would be advantageous.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of 2-3 years of experience working with young people, particularly those involved in the justice system or facing similar challenges. Experience in case management, program delivery, and stakeholder engagement is essential to effectively fulfill the responsibilities of this role.

Languages:
While English is the mandatory language for this position, proficiency in additional languages relevant to the community served would be considered an asset. This could include languages spoken by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities or other cultural groups within the region.

Additional Notes:
This position is a full-time temporary role based in Mount Isa, Queensland, Australia. The organization offers an award rate salary (Level 4.1 - $46.70 per hour) along with full salary packaging benefits. Employees in approved remote locations may receive additional benefits, including a generous annual remote location allowance and five weeks of annual leave. The organization is committed to diversity and inclusion, encouraging applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates. All employees are required to undergo a National Police Check and a Working with Children Check, and must adhere to the Child Safeguarding Policy and Code of Conduct.