Therapeutic Child & Youth Workers
Southern and Mt Barker Locations
Social, Community, Home Care & Disability Services Award Level 3
Inspire Growth - Transform Lives
Champion Young People to Pursue Excellence
Create a lasting impact through meaningful change by helping young people reclaim their futures and build strong foundations for life.
Why Choose Us?
We are a growing and innovative social enterprise supporting around 10,000 South Australians each year through housing and community services. Seeking opportunities to build positive pathways and connected thriving communities, we are one of few South Australian organisations offering an integrated model of housing and support. Together, we are committed to effecting long-term positive change for those we work with and the communities we work in.
Together, we are improving lives and building strong, resilient, and connected communities.
Meet some of our amazing staff here
The Opportunity:
The Therapeutic Child and Youth Worker, centers around building strong, trusting relationships and delivering structured, responsive support tailored to each individual's developmental, emotional, and cultural needs. You will play a vital role in providing consistent, trauma-informed care to children and young people living in residential care.
While working as part of a multidisciplinary team to ensuring stability, wellbeing, and positive life outcomes for the children and young people; you will make a meaningful impact through the creation of safe and nurturing home environments where young people feel valued, supported, and empowered to heal and grow.
Key Aspects of the Role:
* Trauma-Informed Care & Relationship Building
Build strong, therapeutic relationships and support young people with complex behaviours using trauma-responsive strategies.
* Emotional Resilience & Self-Awareness
Maintain emotional regulation and consistency in high-pressure situations, providing calm and reliable support.
* Practical Support & Daily Living Skills
Assist with routines, personal care, and household tasks, while fostering independence and life skills.
* Cultural Safety & Child-Centered Practice
Uphold children's rights and support their identity, voice, and cultural connections—particularly for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people.
A typical day may include:
* Supporting daily routines including meals, school transports, appointments, and bedtime to provide stability and structure.
* Building trusting relationships and offering emotional support using trauma-informed approaches.
* Promoting life skills and independence through everyday activities such as cooking, personal care, and community outings.
* Maintain a safe, nurturing home environment while completing documentation and collaborating with your team.
What We Offer:
* Values-driven culture
* Generous salary sacrifice benefits
* Great professional development opportunities
* A You are Amazing Day – an extra day of paid leave to spend however you want
* A NAIDOC Day - an extra day of paid leave to attend NAIDOC celebrations
* A supportive, flexible work environment with paid parental leave and a strong focus on staff wellbeing
* Access to wholesale prices on selected products at Harvey Norman
* Access To Corporate Health Insurance and Annual Flu Vaccinations
About You:
We are seeking a highly passionate professional who:
* Holds a certificate IV in Youth Work, Child, Youth and Family Intervention, Community Services or equivalent (or working towards)
* Has sound communication and interpersonal skills to effectively engage and establish rapport with clients, staff and external agencies
* Has demonstrated understanding of appropriate responses to clients with trauma related behaviours that demonstrate high and complex needs
* Is team oriented, collaborative with internal and external stakeholders
* Is able to work across a 24/7 roster and undertake passive (sleepover) and active night shifts
* Is willing to work across different locations (houses)
You Will Need To:
* Complete our online application process
* Undergo pre-employment testing as part of the recruitment process which will include psychological assessments
* Hold a current Working with Children Check (WWCC)
* Hold a current Senior First Aid Certificate
* Hold a current Safe Environments Certificate
* Hold a current unencumbered Australian driver's licence and be willing to drive
* Be prepared to undertake Junction's onboarding and induction process which would be a blend of classroom and on-site learning.
How to register your interest for upcoming positions:
To register your interest, please fill out the questions below. On the following page, you'll be asked to add your resume and cover letter, please make sure you have this ready before you apply.
Please also upload copies of relevant qualifications and certifications including working with children check, safe environments, first aid, and your driver's licence.
You will be notified if shortlisted and contacted once we have a vacancy.
The position description is available by clicking here orfor further confidential inquiries contact our Human Resources Coordinator, Deb Ross or Georgina Mignone.
Junction is an equal opportunity employer that embraces a culture of diversity. We encourage applications from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, people with disability, and people from every culture, gender and sexuality identity, age and ethnic background. Junction is committed to being a Child Safe organisation and has zero tolerance for child and family abuse.
ABOUT JUNCTION
Junction is a non-denominational social enterprise helping more than 10,000 South Australians each year through a wide range of programs and support. This includes domestic violence and homelessness services; emergency housing; counselling; mentoring; community centres and residential care for children and young people under the Guardianship of the Chief Executive who can't be placed with foster families.
Junction also provides affordable housing for those on low incomes managing around 2,500 properties across the State.