Behavioural Support Worker

The GEO Group Australia; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 89,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

The GEO Group Australia, Ravenhall Correctional Centre, is seeking a Behavioural Support Worker to join our Rehabilitation and Reintegration Services team. You will provide frontline behavioural support to prisoners with complex needs, contribute to assessments, and implement individualised plans within a multidisciplinary setting.

Focus on trauma-informed practice, coaching staff, and supporting reintegration, with a salary range of $88,825 to $95,000 base plus superannuation.

Qualifications

• Certificate IV in Disability, Mental Health, Community Services, or related field.
• Demonstrated experience providing direct support to people with complex needs.
• Understanding of the impact of trauma and/or disability on behaviour.
• Experience in developing, implementing and evaluating behaviour support plans.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to multidisciplinary assessment, planning and delivery of behaviour support strategies for people in custody with complex needs.
• Develop individualised, person-centred Behaviour Support Plans with allied health professionals and support trauma-informed implementation.
• Provide one-to-one and group support during daily activities and routines.
• Record objective behavioural observations and coach in real time to reinforce prosocial choices.
• Deliver structured activities and skill-building sessions.
• Design and deliver targeted psychosocial interventions to reduce behaviours of concern and aid reintegration.
• Coach custodial staff in applying positive behaviour support strategies consistently.
• Assist with facilitation of community meetings to strengthen engagement and safety.

Skills

Direct support experience

Trauma-informed approach

Behaviour support knowledge

Team collaboration

Education

Certificate IV in Disability, Mental Health, Community Services, or related field

Job description

Support Positive Change and Help Shape Better Futures Every Day.

Empower Change. Build Resilience. Transform Lives.

Salary Range $88,825 - $95,000 Base + Superannuation

At Ravenhall Correctional Centre, Rehabilitation and Reintegration Services is creating exciting new opportunities for people who want their work to make a real difference.

Our redesigned services brings specialist expertise closer to the frontline, strengthens support from custody to community and creates clearer pathways for professional growth. It is more connected, more responsive and built to achieve stronger outcomes for people with diverse and complex needs.

Bring your expertise, ideas and commitment to change. Join a collaborative evidence-based team shaping the future of rehabilitation and reintegration at Ravenhall Correctional Centre where your work changes lives, strengthens communities and makes a difference every single day.

About The GEO Group Australia

We are the country's leading provider of outsourced correctional services, operating in VIC. GEO aims to deliver better corrections and create safer communities. We focus on providing a continuum of care and integration of services to make a real difference in the lives of people we work with. Our company is defined by us always acting with Integrity, showing everyone Respect without fail, being Accountable at all times, always being Agile and continuously looking for opportunities to be Innovative. For more information about our organisation visit our website www.geogroup.com.au

To view our videos, including the type of individuals we seek to join our business, click here.

About Ravenhall Correctional Centre

Ravenhall is a 1,300-bed medium-security prison for adult sentenced and remand men. Its contemporary campus-style design reflects four accommodation communities with varying profiles. Community accommodation is complemented by a further 75-bed Forensic Mental Health Unit, a 25-bed unit for prisoners with significant challenging behaviours, and a 25-bed Mission Unit designed to respond intensively and therapeutically to current community issues.

In recognition of the importance of the Continuum of Care, Ravenhall extends its presence into the community by providing ex-prisoners with access to post-release support at GEO's Community Reintegration Centre.

Ravenhall's emphasis on offender rehabilitation and reintegration is supported by a significantly resourced team of clinicians who work in partnership with a number of Victoria's most respected organisations, including Forensicare, YMCA and Kangan Institute. Working collaboratively, Ravenhall seeks to bring about lasting positive change in the lives of prisoners before and after release, with the ultimate aim of reducing reoffending.

About The Opportunity

The Behavioural Support Worker provides frontline behavioural support to prisoners with significant and complex needs housed in the Glenhope Close Supervision Unit (CSU). Working as part of a multidisciplinary team, the role contributes to the assessment, planning, and implementation of individualised behaviour support strategies that promote safety, stability, and positive behavioural outcomes.

The Behavioural Support Worker develops therapeutic and professional relationships with prisoners, delivers structured interventions and skill-building activities, monitors and records behavioural observations, and supports prisoners to develop strategies that enhance their adjustment within custody and progression toward reintegration.

Working collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders, the role contributes to the creation of a safe, therapeutic, and trauma-informed environment. The Behavioural Support Worker also supports the capability development of unit-based staff through coaching, reflective practice, and guidance in the consistent application of positive behaviour support strategies and effective deescalation practices.

As the Behavioural Support Worker you will:

• Contribute to multidisciplinary assessment, planning and delivery of behaviour support strategies for people in custody with complex needs associated with trauma, disability or mental health.
• Contribute to the development of individualised, person-centred Behaviour Support Plans with allied health professionals, and support their trauma-informed implementation in response to individual needs.
• Provide one-to-one and group support during daily activities and routines
• Record objective behavioural observations, provide real-time verbal coaching, reinforce prosocial choices, and monitor early signs of sensory overload or aggression.
• Deliver structured activities and skill-building sessions
• Design and deliver targeted individual and small group-based psychosocial interventions to reduce behaviours of concern and support adjustment within custody, progression into accommodation unit and reintegration into the community.
• Contribute to custodial staff capability by providing practical guidance and coaching in the consistent application of positive behaviour support strategies within the unit.
• Assist with the facilitation of community meetings and structured forums with staff and prisoners to strengthen engagement and support positive behavioural outcomes.
• Ensure all assessments, planning, and interventions incorporate culturally appropriate considerations and support needs.
• Maintain accurate, timely and comprehensive case documentation in accordance with departmental systems and reporting requirements.
• Promote a safe working environment by adhering to legislative requirements and organisational policies, including occupational health and safety standards.
• Participate in regular supervision, reflective practice, and professional development activities to maintain professional competence and service quality.
• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of behaviour support strategies and interventions, recommending modifications as required.
• Identify, assess, and elevate emerging risks, including self-harm, vulnerability, behavioural deterioration, and threats to safety in accordance with operational procedures.
• Contribute to quality improvement activities, service reviews, audits, and the ongoing development of behavioural support practices within the CSU.

Your Skills & Experience

• Certificate IV in Disability, Mental Health, Community Services, or a related field (or equivalent experience); OR currently studying toward a relevant qualification
• Demonstrated experience providing direct support to people with complex needs (disability, mental health, aged care, youth, or community services)
• Understanding of the impact of trauma and/or disability on behaviour, with the ability to identify appropriate positive behaviour strategies based on individual needs.
• Demonstrated experience in developing, implementing and