Casual Youth Care Practitioner

Cafs; Ballarat; On-site; AUD 50,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Professional development

Regular supervision

Collaborative culture

Commitment to child safety and inclusi

Opportunity for permanent employment

Job summary

Cafs is seeking Youth Care Practitioners for Residential care houses in the Central Highlands. This casual role offers a pathway to permanent part-time or full-time employment as vacancies arise, with shift opportunities across mornings, afternoons, nights, weekends and public holidays.

The role focuses on day-to-day care, building supportive relationships and helping young people develop life skills, with a strong emphasis on trauma-informed, client-centred practice.

Qualifications

• Strong commitment to supporting young people
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills
• Ability to work in a 24/7 roster and flexible shifts

Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day care, support and supervision to young people
• Build positive, therapeutic relationships with residents
• Support development of independence and life skills
• Assist with education, employment and community engagement goals
• Maintain accurate records and reports
• Work collaboratively with families, carers and professionals
• Apply trauma-informed and person-centred approaches in all interactions

Skills

Communication

Relationship building

Teamwork

Trauma-informed approach

Education

Certificate IV in Youth Work

Higher qualification in Youth Services/Community Services/Social Work

Job description

Casual Opportunity with a Pathway to Permanent Part-Time or Full-Time Employment

Are you passionate about supporting young people to thrive?

Cafs is seeking dedicated Youth Care Practitioners - Residential care houses, to join our Youth Services team. This is an excellent opportunity to commence in a casual role while building your skills, experience and career within a leading community services organisation.

For the right candidates, there are opportunities to transition into permanent part-time or full-time positions as vacancies arise.

Classification: Residential Care Worker RSW2 - RSW3

Salary: $36.30 to $43.50 + penalty rates + superannuation

Our Values

At Cafs, our work is guided by the values of:

Respect | Integrity | Collaboration | Kindness | Innovation

About the Role

As a Youth Care Practitioner, you will:

• Provide day-to-day care, support and supervision to young people
• Build positive, therapeutic relationships
• Support young people to develop independence and life skills
• Assist with education, employment and community engagement goals
• Maintain accurate records and reports
• Work collaboratively with families, carers and professionals
• Apply trauma-informed and person-centred approaches in all interactions

This role operates across a 24/7 roster and may include day, evening, overnight, weekend and public holiday shifts.

Shift Examples:

Mornings 8am-4pm

Afternoon 3:45pm to 11:15pm

Stand up Shift: 11pm to 9am

Mandatory Requirements

To be successful, you will have:

• A genuine commitment to supporting young people
• At least 6-12 months' experience in residential care or youth services field preferred but not required
• A Certificate IV or higher qualification in Youth Work, Community Services, Social Work or a related discipline (or be currently studying)
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills
• The ability to work effectively within a team environment
• Sound written and record-keeping skills
• An understanding of trauma-informed practice

Why Join Cafs?

Whether you're looking to take the next step in your career or seeking an organisation that invests in its people, Cafs offers the opportunity to gain valuable experience and progress into ongoing employment.

• Professional development and career progression opportunities
• Regular supervision and reflective practice support
• A supportive, collaborative and values-based culture
• An organisation committed to child safety, inclusion, diversity and eliminating family violence
• Opportunities to positively influence the lives of young people transitioning from care

Applications close 13 November 2026.

All applicants must be eligible to work in Australia, and employment will be subject to satisfactory Police and Victorian Working with Children Checks.

Our Commitment

Inclusion and diversity are at the heart of everything we do at Cafs. We welcome applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disability, members of the LGBTIQA+ community and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

Join Cafs and help shape the future of Youth Services across the Central Highlands.