Therapaeutic Youth worker

Uniting Communities; Adelaide; Hybrid; AUD 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary packaging

Maternity leave

Private health insurance

Physiotherapy program

Job summary

Uniting Communities is seeking Therapeutic Youth Workers for a hands-on, home-based role in South Australia. You will help create a safe, structured household for young people who need support beyond family care.

The role operates on a 24/7 roster including sleepovers, weekends and public holidays, with an emphasis on consistency, responsibility and life skills development. You will work across Hillbank and other locations as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor Degree or Certificate IV in Social Services (Social Work, Social Science, Youth Work or related discipline)
• Students currently studying Community Services are encouraged to apply
• Availability to work across a 24/7 rotating roster including sleepovers
• Experience working with young people with complex behaviour presentations
• Experience managing conflict and crisis
• Full, unrestricted Australian Driver’s Licence

Responsibilities

• Build authentic, therapeutic relationships with young people
• Support daily living routines: cooking, cleaning, nutrition, hygiene, school, activities
• Maintain a well-organised, safe and welcoming home environment
• Role model positive life skills and respectful communication
• Provide crisis intervention and co-regulation support
• Contribute to household structure, routines and shared responsibilities

Skills

Crisis management

Empathy

Communication

Boundary setting

Education

Bachelor or Cert IV in Social Services

Job description

Jo’s is an innovative and unique residential service in South Australia, providing a home for young people who are unable to live with their families due to child protection concerns.

Jo’s is more than accommodation — it is a stable, nurturing home environment where young people are supported to heal from trauma, build meaningful connections, and develop the life skills they need to transition into adulthood.

We are seeking Therapeutic Youth Workers who understand that residential care is not a typical shift-based role - it is a 24/7 home environment that relies on consistency, responsibility, and strong life skills. The role could be based in Hillbank but we have multiple roles.

About the Role

This is a hands-on, home-based role. You will be actively involved in creating a safe, structured and well-managed household where young people can thrive.

Key responsibilities include:

• Building authentic, therapeutic relationships with young people to support their identity, growth and development
• Supporting daily living routines including cooking, cleaning, nutrition, hygiene, school engagement, appointments and extracurricular activities
• Maintaining a well-organised, safe and welcoming home environment
• Role modelling positive life skills, respectful communication and healthy relationships
• Providing crisis intervention, co-regulation and support during complex behavioural presentations
• Contributing to household structure, routines and shared responsibilities

This role operates on a 24/7 roster, including passive nights, sleepovers, weekends and public holidays. Reliability and flexibility are essential.

What We’re Looking For

This role suits individuals who are:

• Comfortable working in a home environment and taking shared responsibility for its day-to-day management
• Organised, proactive and capable of maintaining routines and structure
• Emotionally regulated and able to respond calmly during crisis situations
• Consistent, dependable and committed to roster requirements
• Confident in modelling independent living skills such as cooking, budgeting and maintaining a household

Essential Requirements

• Bachelor Degree or Certificate IV in Social Services (Social Work, Social Science, Youth Work or related discipline)
• Students currently studying Community Services are encouraged to apply
• Availability to work across a 24/7 rotating roster including sleepovers
• Experience working with young people with complex behaviour presentations
• Experience managing conflict and crisis
• Full, unrestricted Australian Driver’s Licence

Please note: A partially completed university degree meets the minimum qualification requirements.

This is an excellent opportunity to build your career in therapeutic residential care while completing your studies.

About Us

Uniting Communities is a leading, inclusive not‑for‑profit community services organisation working alongside more than 80,000 South Australians each year to reduce inequality, improve wellbeing, overcome disadvantage and support people to live the best lives they can. We value diversity and are committed to providing respectful, accessible services.

Why Work For Us?

• In addition to your salary you can package up to $15,900 per year pre tax and additionally a $2,650 Meals and Entertainment card.
• How could working for a Not-For-Profit impact your take home pay? Visit our salary packaging provider for details - Access Pay
• Paid Maternity Leave
• Early Intervention Physio Program
• Discounted Private Health Insurance

Check out our additional benefits at www.unitingcommunities.org

All staff are required to work within our code of conduct and undergo relevant pre-employment checks.

Uniting Communities is an equal opportunity employer committed to a safe, inclusive workplace. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, including people with disabilities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and those from culturally and linguistically diverse communities.