ABOUT THE LES TWENTYMAN FOUNDATION
The Les Twentyman Foundation (LTF) embeds In-School Youth Workers across schools in Melbourne and Geelong to support young people who are disengaged, or at risk of disengaging, from education due to social, emotional, behavioural and wellbeing challenges. Working closely with host schools, the In-School Youth Worker delivers intensive case management, outreach, group work and family engagement tailored to the developmental and individual needs of each young person. The role focuses on strengthening school connection, wellbeing and long-term educational and employment pathways through strength-based and trauma-informed practice.
ABOUT THE POSITION/S
The Youth Worker manages an active caseload while coordinating responsive support strategies that improve a young person's ability to engage positively in education, family and community life. This includes building collaborative partnerships with well-being teams, education and employment providers, community organisations and specialised support services including mental health, AOD, housing and family violence services. Through assertive outreach, including home visits, school meetings and community engagement, the Youth Worker helps remove barriers, strengthen support networks and empower young people to build resilience, independence and positive futures.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
As part of the Schools Team, the In-School Youth Worker will:
* Proactively engage young people through assertive outreach, building strong, consistent and culturally safe relationships that promote trust, safety and connection to school and community.
* Apply a strengths-based, trauma-informed and culturally responsive approach in all interactions, recognising the diverse experiences of young people, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, African, Pasifika and other CALD communities.
* Undertake holistic assessments to identify each young person's strengths, needs, risks and barriers to engagement in education, wellbeing and future pathways.
* Develop and implement individualised case plans in partnership with young people, families and key stakeholders, with a clear focus on education, training and employment outcomes.
* Provide intensive case management, including regular review, goal tracking and adaptive support to respond to changing needs and circumstances.
* Deliver targeted interventions such as mentoring, brief interventions, group work and in-school sessions that build resilience, life skills and positive decision-making.
* Work collaboratively with families to strengthen engagement, improve communication and support sustainable outcomes for young people.
* Facilitate timely and appropriate referrals, connecting young people to specialised supports including mental health, AOD, housing, legal, justice, family violence and other therapeutic services.
* Advocate for young people and coordinate integrated, multi-agency responses with schools, Police Proactive Units, legal services, training providers, employment agencies and community organisations.
* Support young people to explore, access and sustain meaningful education, vocational training and employment pathways, addressing barriers to participation and retention.
* Monitor and evaluate progress, supporting young people to build independence, resilience and long-term engagement in positive pathways.
* Maintain accurate, up-to-date case notes, data collection and reporting in accordance with organisational standards and legislative requirements.
* Contribute to program development, evaluation and continuous improvement, ensuring services remain responsive to the needs of young people and the community.
* Participate in broader organisational initiatives, including community engagement, events, partnerships and program growth activities.
* Undertake other duties as reasonably directed by the General Manager, Programs.
KEY SELECTION CRITERIA
* Relevant qualifications in Youth Work, Social Work, Family Therapy, Psychology or other health/welfare
* Demonstrated experience working with young people, schools, employment, and recreation services. Previous experience working within schools will be highly regarded.
* Demonstrated ability to advocate on behalf of young people, in particular with stakeholders within the education sector
* Ability to undertake a high standard of documentation, reporting, compliance and policy management, legislation monitoring and organisational procedures including CS-Net
* Knowledge and understanding of adolescent development and ability to practice a range of interventions including assessment, case work, care planning, group work, advocacy, crisis intervention and collaborative outreach based service delivery
* Strong engagement and communication skills with young people from a range of backgrounds and age groups
* Demonstrated capacity to work effectively both independently and within a multidisciplinary team setting
Please get your application in as soon as possible. Applications will be reviewed as they come in. Applications will close at 5PM on Tuesday 7th of April.
LTF is an equal opportunity employer and we welcome applications from all sectors of the community.
LTF has a zero tolerance for child abuse and is committed to the provision of a child-safe organisation.