Therapeutic Youth Worker - ACT

MacKillop Family Services Pty; Canberra; On-site; AUD 84,000 - 90,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Wellbeing support

Sanctuary Model

First Nations career pathways

Community & connection

Salary sacrifice up to $18,550 per yr

Job summary

MacKillop Family Services Pty in Canberra is hiring 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 highly structured, compassionate environment.

The roles are ongoing, across Canberra, with shifts including sleepovers and active nights. You will build therapeutic relationships, respond to crises, and implement care frameworks grounded in attachment theory and behaviour support.

Qualifications

• Experience working therapeutically with children and young people with complex trauma.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care and attachment theory.
• Ability to manage crises calmly and effectively.

Responsibilities

• Build meaningful therapeutic relationships to help young people regulate emotions.
• Support young people through complex behaviours using trauma-informed practices.
• Implement care frameworks based on attachment theory, neurodevelopment, and behaviour support.
• Respond to crises with a calm and supportive presence.
• Foster environments where young people feel safe, valued, and empowered to grow.

Skills

Trauma-informed

Communication skills

Emotional intelligence

Resilience

Education

Cert IV in Community Services

Youth Work qualification

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.

Several positions available, ongoing part-time and casual.

This position is based across Canberra, ACT, and reports to the House Supervisor.

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:

To excel in this role, you should possess the following:

• 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 - $40.49 - $43.42) – 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]