Therapeutic Youth Worker - ACT

MacKillop Family Services; Canberra; On-site; AUD 65,000 - 75,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

SCHADS Level3

Salary sacrifice up to AUD 18,550

Wellbeing support

Sanctuary Model

First Nations career pathways

Ngindaay Guumaldanha network

Job summary

MacKillop Family Services in Canberra is seeking dedicated Youth Workers for our Therapeutic Residential Care program. You will provide intensive, trauma-informed support to children and young people with complex needs in a structured, compassionate environment to support healing and development.

Join a multidisciplinary team to implement individualised care plans, build trust, safety and positive relationships, and respond to crises with calm, supportive presence across residential and

Qualifications

• Cert IV in Community Services or Youth Work (or higher) is required.
• Experience working therapeutically with children and young people with complex needs is preferred.
• Ability to implement individualised case plans and safety plans.

Responsibilities

• Provide intensive, trauma-informed support to children and young people.
• Work with multidisciplinary teams to implement personalised care plans.
• Respond effectively to crises with a calm, supportive presence.
• Build trusting, secure relationships in residential and community settings.

Skills

Trauma-informed care

Resilience

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Emotional intelligence

Education

Cert IV in Community Services

Job description

If you possess resilience, excellent communication skills, and a positive attitude, we want to hear from you!

About the Role:

As a Youth Worker in our Therapeutic Residential Care program with Mackillop, you will provide intensive, trauma-informed support to children and young people with complex emotional, behavioural, and psychological needs—many of whom have experienced significant adversity, trauma, or disrupted attachments. These young people cannot be safely supported in foster care and require a highly structured, consistent, and compassionate environment to begin healing.

You will work closely with a multidisciplinary team—including clinicians, care team members, and allied health professionals—to implement individualised therapeutic plans that address the root causes of behaviour, build emotional resilience, and support long-term recovery and development. Your role will be central to helping young people develop trust, experience safety, and form positive, secure relationships in both residential and community settings.

Several, ongoing part-time positions available now!

Your Impact:

Build meaningful therapeutic relationships that help young people regulate emotions, develop social skills, and rebuild a sense of self-worth.

• Support young people through complex and high-risk behaviours using consistent, trauma-informed practices
• Implement and maintain therapeutic care frameworks based on attachment theory, neurodevelopment, and behaviour support
• Respond effectively to crises while maintaining a calm and supportive presence
• Foster environments where young people feel safe, valued, and empowered to grow

About You:

To be successful in this role, you will need:

• A deep commitment to working with children and young people with high and complex needs
• Strong understanding of trauma and its impacts on development and behaviour
• Capacity to remain calm and effective in challenging situations
• Availability for a variety of shifts, including sleepovers and active nights
• Excellent interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence
• A values-driven approach rooted in compassion, consistency, and respect

Key Selection Criteria:

• Experience working therapeutically with young people with complex trauma, mental health challenges, disability, or high-risk behaviours
• Proven ability to follow and implement individualised case plans, behaviour support plans, and safety plans
• Ability to use evidence-informed approaches such as social learning, emotional coaching, and positive behavioural support
• Capacity to contribute to a team culture focused on reflective practice, learning, and continuous improvement
• Willingness to engage in ongoing training and supervision within a therapeutic model of care

What we offer at MacKillop:

• SCHADS (Level3) – Dependent on qualifications & experience
• More money in your pocket – salary sacrifice up to $18,550 per year, which allows you to reduce the amount of tax you pay.
• Wellbeing that matters - Free, confidential support for mental, physical, financial and social wellbeing.
• Sanctuary Organisation - MacKillop’s work is underpinned by the Sanctuary Model, an evidence supported, whole of organisation framework that brings our values to life. The model reinforces our ability to create a safe environment that teaches people to cope effectively with stress and trauma, and to heal.
• First Nations career pathways – Warrungarli Strategy supporting recruitment, retention and professional development
• Community & connection – Opportunity to join Ngindaay Guumaldanha, our Aboriginal Staff Network

Requirements:

To be eligible for this role, you must possess:

• Have a Cert IV in Community Services, or Youth Work (or related) or higher or be willing to obtain.
• Valid and current Driver's License
• Satisfactory Criminal History Check (paid for by MacKillop)
• Valid Employee Working with Vulnerable People Check
• Valid and current NDIS Workers Screening Check (MacKillop can assist successful candidates with their application)
• A first aid certificate with at least 6-months validity

Our Commitment:

MacKillop celebrates and draws strength from diversity and respects the dignity of all people. Every person has the right to be safe and to be treated justly. We value every person’s ability, cultural or linguistic backgrounds, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, intersex status, relationship status, religious or spiritual beliefs, socio-economic status, and age.

It is our goal that we continue to evolve as a culturally safe, culturally competent, and welcoming organisation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, young people, families, and communities.

We value the unique knowledge, perspectives, and cultural contributions of First Nations peoples. Your experience and insights are important to us, and we strongly encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates to apply.

For more information, please contact:

Claire Michael on [e-mail]

Shortlisting for this role will immediately