Therapeutic Youth Worker

Kids Out West; Maitland; On-site; AUD 39,000 - 47,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

24/7 operational support

Therapeutic training and development

Flexible casual opportunities

Meaningful and varied work

Employee wellbeing initiatives

Job summary

Kids Out West in Maitland, NSW, seeks compassionate Therapeutic Youth Workers to support children and young people in residential out-of-home care. The role focuses on trauma-informed, consistent care across shifts, building trust and stability.

You will work with youth aged birth to 18, collaborating with professionals to achieve individual goals, while maintaining thorough documentation and safety protocols.

Qualifications

• Minimum six months' experience working with children and young people or strong motivation to pursue the sector.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct care and support to children and young people in residential out-of-home care environments.
• Build trusting, positive relationships and a safe, nurturing home environment.
• Support daily routines, education, appointments, family time and independent living skills.
• Mentor positive behaviours and emotional regulation using trauma-informed approaches.
• Document shift reports and incidents accurately and timely.

Skills

Compassionate

Patient

Resilient

Teamwork

Effective communication

Reliable

Flexible

Education

Qualifications in Community Services/Youth Work/Child Protection/Social Work

Job description

More than a job. Be the difference in a young person's life—one shift at a time.

At Kids Out West, we believe every child and young person deserves to feel safe, supported, valued and empowered to reach their full potential.

We don't just provide care—we build relationships, create nurturing home environments and help children and young people develop the confidence, skills and resilience they need to thrive.

We are seeking compassionate, reliable and committed Therapeutic Youth Workers to join our growing team across Maitland, Newcastle and the broader Hunter region.

Working with children and young people aged birth to 18 years who may have experienced trauma and have high and complex support needs, you will play an important role in providing consistent, trauma-informed care.

No two shifts are the same, but every shift is an opportunity to make a lasting difference.

What Does the Role Involve?

As a Therapeutic Youth Worker, you will provide direct care and support to children and young people in residential out-of-home care environments.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Building trusting, positive and meaningful relationships with children and young people.

• Providing a safe, nurturing and structured home environment where young people feel a sense of belonging.

• Supporting everyday routines, including education, appointments, family time, recreational activities and independent living skills.

• Mentoring, encouraging and role-modelling positive behaviours, healthy relationships and emotional regulation.

• Responding calmly, professionally and therapeutically to challenging situations, using trauma-informed approaches.

• Supporting children and young people to achieve their individual goals, celebrate their successes and develop confidence.

• Working collaboratively with colleagues, Service Leaders and other professionals to provide consistent, quality care.

• Maintaining accurate and timely documentation, including shift reports and incident records.

This isn't just about being present on shift. It's about being engaged, consistent and making every interaction count.

What We're Looking For

We are looking for people who genuinely care about improving outcomes for children and young people.

You will be someone who:

• Is compassionate, patient, resilient and emotionally mature.

• Can remain calm, respectful and professional in challenging or unpredictable situations.

• Understands the importance of boundaries, consistency, teamwork and positive role-modelling.

• Communicates effectively and builds trusting relationships.

• Is reliable, accountable and takes pride in providing quality care.

• Is flexible, adaptable and comfortable working independently and as part of a team.

• Is willing to learn, accept feedback and continually develop their therapeutic practice.

Experience is valuable, but so are the right attitude, genuine commitment and willingness to learn.

Essential Requirements

To be considered for this role, you must have:

• A minimum of six months' relevant experience working with children and young people, or a strong motivation to develop a career in the sector.

• Availability to work a flexible casual roster, including afternoons, evenings, overnight sleepovers, weekends and public holidays.

• A current unrestricted driver's licence and access to a registered, comprehensively insured vehicle.

• Current First Aid and CPR certification (HLTAID011 and HLTAID009, or accepted equivalents).

• A current NSW Working With Children Check cleared for paid employment.

• A satisfactory National Criminal History Check issued within the previous six months, or willingness to obtain one.

• Willingness to consent to registration on the NSW Office of the Children's Guardian Residential Care Workers Register and meet relevant screening requirements.

• Completion of, or willingness to undertake, recognised three-day Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) training.

Relevant qualifications in Community Services, Youth Work, Child Protection, Social Work or a related discipline are highly regarded.

Why Join Kids Out West?

We know that supporting children and young people with complex needs can be both challenging and incredibly rewarding. That's why we believe in supporting the people who support our young people.

When you join Kids Out West, you'll benefit from:

• A supportive team culture – Be part of a friendly, approachable and values‑driven organisation where teamwork matters.

• 24/7 operational support – Access guidance and assistance when you need it, including during overnight and weekend shifts.

• Therapeutic training and development – Access recognised TCI training and ongoing learning opportunities to strengthen your skills and confidence.

• Meaningful and varied work – Every shift provides opportunities to build relationships, develop skills and contribute to positive outcomes.

• Flexible casual opportunities – Work across placements throughout Maitland, Newcastle and the Hunter region.

• Employee wellbeing initiatives – Including access to a free annual influenza vaccination.

Most importantly, you'll be part of an organisation where the wellbeing, safety and development of children and young people are at the heart of everything we do.

The Reality of the Role

Some days will be challenging. You may support young people experiencing distress, emotional dysregulation or complex behaviours. Other days, you'll celebrate the small but significant milestones—a young person attending school, achieving a personal goal, developing a new skill or simply beginning to trust the adults around them.

These moments matter.

We need workers who understand that consistency, patience, empathy and showing up with the right attitude can make an extraordinary difference in a young person's life.

You won't always see the impact you're making straight away, but the relationships you build and the care you provide can have a lasting influence.