Residential Youth Worker Casual

Gateways; Geelong; On-site; AUD 39,000 - 52,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Shift allowances

Additional leave

Salary packaging

Training & development

Induction program

Job summary

Gateways supports children, young people and adults with disability across Geelong, delivering therapeutic residential care in a child and youth services setting.

As a casual Therapeutic Residential Support Worker, you will provide trauma-informed, nurturing care, maintain routines, document care plans and collaborate with families and professionals.

Qualifications

• Experience in child and youth services or residential care preferred.
• Ability to follow care plans and document accurately.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care is preferred or willingness to learn.
• Current CPR & First Aid, Victorian Working with Children Check (Employee), NDIS Worker Screening Check & completion of the NDIS Workers Orientation Module (or willingness to obtain)

Responsibilities

• Provide trauma-informed, child-centred care.
• Establish and maintain daily routines for safety, consistency and structure.
• Support children to express emotions and build coping strategies.
• Implement behaviour support strategies and positive reinforcement.
• Support age-appropriate play, recreation and community-based activities.
• Teach essential life skills such as personal hygiene, meal preparation and responsibility.
• Build trusting, therapeutic relationships with children and young people.
• Maintain accurate case notes, incident reports and documentation.
• Work collaboratively with families, guardians and professionals to support care plans.
• Ensure the safety and wellbeing of children at all times.

Skills

Strong communication

Problem-solving

Interpersonal skills

Emotional intelligence

Resilience in complex environments

Documentation and care planning

Trauma-informed approaches

Willingness to obtain checks

Victorian Driver's Licence

Education

Certificate IV in Child, Youth and Family Intervention, or relevant human services qualification

Job description

About us:

At Gateways Support Services we walk alongside children, young people and adults with disability and their families to help build independence, confidence and connection. Our services span early childhood intervention, respite, skill development, independent living, specialist care, and more, always shaped around the needs of each individual.

We are a diverse team of mountain bike riders, comedians, skiers, surfers, gamers, movie buffs, musicians, cat people, dog people and more. What unites us is a shared passion for supporting people with disability and making every day a better day. Guided by our values of Commitment, Opportunity, Respect, Excellence and Empathy, everything we do is about creating safe, high-quality supports that help people thrive and enjoy a better quality of life.

About the role:

Please note: While this opportunity has been advertised as a Residential Youth Worker, the official position title is Therapeutic Residential Support Worker.

Working as a casual Therapeutic Residential Support Worker within our Child and Youth Services program across our services in Geelong, you will support children with disability living in out‑of‑home care. You will provide consistent, nurturing and child‑centred care within a therapeutic residential setting, helping children feel safe, supported and empowered in their daily lives.

• Providing trauma-informed, child-centred care that supports emotional and physical wellbeing
• Establishing and maintaining daily routines to promote safety, consistency and structure
• Supporting children to express emotions safely and build coping strategies
• Implementing behaviour support strategies and positive reinforcement approaches
• Supporting age‑appropriate play, recreation and community‑based activities
• Teaching essential life skills such as personal hygiene, meal preparation and responsibility
• Building trusting, therapeutic relationships with children and young people
• Maintaining accurate and timely case notes, incident reports and documentation
• Working collaboratively with families, guardians and professionals to support care plans
• Ensuring the safety and wellbeing of children at all times

What you will bring to the role:

• Strong communication, problem‑solving and interpersonal skills
• High emotional intelligence and resilience in complex environments
• Commitment to providing consistent, high‑quality care
• Ability to accurately document and follow care plans
• Understanding of, or willingness to learn, trauma‑informed and therapeutic approaches
• Current CPR & First Aid, Victorian Working with Children Check (Employee), NDIS Worker Screening Check & completion of the NDIS Workers Orientation Module (or willingness to obtain)
• Victorian Driver's Licence
• Certificate IV in Child, Youth and Family Intervention, or a recognised relevant human services qualification with completion of the mandatory Residential Care Skill Set (four top‑up units), or willingness to obtain these as required

Why Gateways?

At Gateways you will find more than a job - you will find purpose. Every role contributes to safe, high-quality supports and positive outcomes for people with disability and their families. You will be part of a team that celebrates individuality, fosters belonging and creates opportunities to learn and grow.

• Above award rates with generous shift allowances
• Additional leave entitlements including personal, compassionate, and family and domestic violence leave for permanent staff
• Access to up to $15,900 in salary packaging, boosting your take‑home pay
• Ongoing training and personal development opportunities
• Extensive two‑day induction program

At Gateways, we know that diversity makes us stronger and belonging makes us better. We want every team member to feel safe, respected and valued for who they are.

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and lived experiences, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities, LGBTQIA+ people, and people with disability.

If you need any adjustments to the recruitment process so you can show us your best self, please let us know. We want this experience to be fair, inclusive and accessible for everyone.

Child safety is embedded in our culture. Gateways are proud to be a child safe organisation with zero tolerance for child abuse.