Lead Inclusion

Jesuit Social Services; Greater Dandenong; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Supportive environment

Induction & orientation

Training & development

Employee assistance program

Salary packaging

Generous leave

Job summary

Jesuit Social Services in Melbourne-based Dandenong campus seeks a skilled professional to lead the school engagement program at Ignatius Learning Centre. You will coordinate a team to support students with complex needs, enrolling them and linking schools with external services.

The role involves extensive outreach to settings such as courts and youth facilities, traveling to provide inclusive education opportunities. A competitive salary and development opportunities are offered.

Qualifications

• This role requires knowledge of youth detention issues and trauma-informed practice.
• Qualifications in Social Work, Youth Work or a related field are preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead the whole-of-school engagement response for a group of students with complex needs.
• Develop and lead a team of engagement professionals.
• Coordinate enrolments and transitions to Ignatius Learning Centre.
• Provide outreach to students and external supports (courts, youth detention, rehab facilities, homes).

Job description

Job Category: Community Services and Development

About the organisation

Jesuit Social Services is a social change organisation working to build a just society where all people can live to their full potential. We reflect on the critical factors shaping our contemporary world; the social, political and economic contexts, and we adapt our practice to work with those most in need.

Since 1977, Jesuit Social Services has provided services to some of the most disadvantaged in our community.

We place a high priority on advocacy and are a leader in policy development and research.

What Jesuit Social Services can offer you:

• An organisation that lives its values, through its day-to-day work
• A welcoming and supportive relational environment
• A comprehensive Induction and Orientation program
• Ongoing training and development related to your role
• Employee assistance program
• A competitive salary plus salary packaging benefits
• Generous leave

Job Description

About the role

Under supervision of the Disability and Inclusion Coordinator, lead the whole-of-school engagement response to meet the needs of a group of students with complex and diverse needs, who routinely experience interruptions and barriers to education and who have often experienced trauma, abuse or neglect. This includes leading and developing a team of engagement professionals.

In partnership with the Lead Inclusion, share responsibilities of enrolling students in the Ignatius Learning Centre and be the key link between the school, the child/student and the relevant external parties.

Provide outreach support to students and their external supports to ensure inclusion, support, and individual learning outcomes are achieved. This outreach support will be provided in setting such as the Children’s Court, youth detention, rehabilitation facility, home/housing location and/or other nominated settings.

This is a full‑time position. This position will be primarily based at our Dandenong campus however, travel will be required to provide outreach and inclusion for students attending court.

Competitive remuneration, plus salary packaging benefit, is offered together with ongoing professional and career development as well as opportunities for personal growth.

About the program

The Ignatius Learning Centre is a Catholic Specialist Secondary School, established by the Jesuit Social Services in 2021.

The Ignatius Learning Centre offers an education that fosters responsibility and transformation and engages young people who have had a severely disrupted education and are at significant risk of incarceration and/or further involvement with the youth justice system.

We are guided by Jesuit Social Services Way of Working, Catholic Social Teachings and Ignatian Pedagogy Paradigm where a holistic education is a contributor to the building of a just society and one where students can experience success in a safe and supportive environment. The Ignatius Learning Centre will enable students to restore hope, experience a sense of belonging, flourish and reach their potential.

In 2027, The Ignatius Learning Centre will enroll approximately 40 young men Richmond and 25 young men in Sunshine, aged 15 - 17, offering the Victorian Certificate of Education - Vocational Major (VCE-VM) and the Victorian Pathways Certificate (VPC) as the curriculum .

Desired Skills and Experience

About you

This role will suit a candidate with the following skills and experience:

• A knowledge and understanding of current issues faced by young people in youth detention and their families.
• Relevant qualifications and professional experience (E.g. Social work/ Youth work or similar degree)
• Demonstrated understanding of and experience in working with a diverse range of stakeholders within the justice system and education (courts, DFFH, DJCS, DET, VCEA etc).
• Experienced in outreach working with students with diverse and complex needs and of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
• Demonstrated experience in relation to enrolments and transition pathways, as well as solid understanding of NCCD funding requirements.
• Demonstrated capacity to work collaboratively with colleagues to improve the quality of programs and enhance student outcomes.

Applications close at 5.00pm on 28thOctober 2026.

Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis and the closing date may be subject to change without notice.

Jesuit Social Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity and inclusion. We celebrate and welcome all people regardless of ethnicity, cultural background, age, gender, sexuality, disability or religious affiliation.

We strongly encourage applications from all community members including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, members of the LGBTIQA+ community, people with a disability, people of culturally diverse backgrounds and working parents.

Jesuit Social Services is a Child Safe organisation and is committed to protecting children and young people from harm. We require all applicants to undergo an extensive screening process prior to appointment.