Residential Care Worker

Kanda; Ipswich City; On-site; AUD 34,440,000 - 48,216,000; Full time

Job summary

Kanda is seeking dedicated support workers to assist children and young people across multiple Ipswich locations. You will help with daily routines, school prep, meals, appointments, and activities while maintaining safety and a calm presence.

Join a team focused on trauma-informed, person-centred approaches, with rostered shifts including sleepovers. A Certificate IV or Diploma in Community Services or related field is preferred.

Qualifications

• Must genuinely enjoy working with children and young people.
• Able to build trust while maintaining professional boundaries.
• Patient, calm and emotionally steady; able to handle challenging situations without escalation.

Responsibilities

• Support daily routines for children and young people, including school prep and meals.
• Attend appointments, training, or activities and help participants engage in enjoyable activities.
• Support household routines and life skills and assist with sleepover or awake shifts as rostered.
• Manage challenging behaviour safely while maintaining a respectful relationship.
• Follow individual support plans and work as part of a team.

Skills

Patience

Calm under pressure

Clear communication

Active listening

Boundary setting

Teamwork

Willingness to learn

Warmth and positivity

Empathy

Education

Certificate IV or Diploma in Community Services/ Youth Work/ Social Work

Job description

There isn’t a script.

You’re supporting children and young people who each have their own personalities, experiences, strengths, challenges and goals.

One shift might involve getting everyone ready for school, preparing meals and making sure the day gets off to a good start.

Another might involve helping with homework, attending an appointment, heading to training or supporting a young person to take part in something they enjoy.

You might help with household routines and life skills.

You might sit and listen after a difficult day.

You might manage challenging behaviour while keeping everyone safe and maintaining a respectful relationship.

And sometimes, you’ll need to make decisions quickly.

That’s where your ability to stay calm, think clearly and respond rather than react really matters.

You are the adult in the room who can stay steady.

Locations include:

Springfield Lakes, Flinders View, Redbank Plains, Brassall, Ripley, Raceview & Spring Mountain

What we’re really looking for

• genuinely enjoy working with children and young people
• can build trust while maintaining professional boundaries
• are patient, calm and emotionally steady
• communicate clearly and listen without judgement
• can manage challenging situations without escalating them
• are confident setting appropriate boundaries
• can work as part of a team and follow individual support plans
• are willing to learn and reflect on your practice
• can bring warmth, humour and positivity to the home
• understand that small moments can have a big impact
• want to do work that genuinely matters

You don’t need to have all the answers. You do need to be willing to learn, stay curious and keep showing up.

You'll Bring

• A current Australian driver's licence (minimum P2).
• A Working with Children Blue Card and NDIS Worker Screening Check, or willingness to obtain them.
• Current First Aid and CPR certification, or willingness to obtain.
• A completed or currently enrolled Certificate IV or Diploma in Community Services, Youth Work, Social Work or a related qualification.
• Experience supporting people with complex behaviours, including using trauma-informed, person-centred approaches and maintaining safety during escalated situations.
• Availability and flexibility to work a variety of shifts across a 7-day roster, including the ability to complete sleepover & awake shifts. Common roster of care: 8am – 4pm, 4pm – 8am (sleepover 10pm-6am).

Kanda is committed to creating and maintaining a child-safe organisation.

We’re dedicated to building an inclusive environment where everyone feels safe, respected, and comfortable to be themselves. At Kanda, every voice matters, every culture is valued, and we believe that diverse perspectives aren’t just welcome they’re essential to who we are and what we do.