Youth Access and Inclusion Service Worker

Melbourne Citymission Inc.; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Diverse and inclusive organisation

Salary Packaging benefits

Learning and development opportunities

Culture of continuous improvement

Job summary

Melbourne City Mission is seeking a Youth Access and Inclusion Service Worker to support young people involved with the Children's Court who may have unmet disability support needs. You will identify barriers, facilitate access to supports, and promote equitable participation in court processes and the community.

Working within a trauma-informed, culturally safe, youth-focused framework, you will conduct disability screening, provide information and advice on supports and NDIS pathways, and

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualification in Social Work, Psychology, Occupational Therapy, Youth Work, Disability, Human Services or related discipline.
• Experience with vulnerable children and young people in youth justice, court, community or disability service settings.
• Knowledge of disability, neurodiversity, cognitive impairments and their impact on participation.
• Understanding of NDIS, disability service systems, referral pathways, and community supports.
• Experience in case coordination, advocacy, or support planning with young people and families.
• Ability to engage and build relationships with young people using trauma-informed, culturally responsive approaches.

Responsibilities

• Deliver services in accordance with Healing-Oriented Framework, youth-centred, trauma-informed, culturally safe practices.
• Engage with 10-18 year olds involved with Children’s Court and potential disability support needs.
• Conduct disability screening using approved tools to identify support needs.
• Provide information and guidance on disability supports, NDIS pathways, and community services.
• Deliver short-term outreach to assist access to disability assessments and supports.
• Develop strategies to engage young people with complex needs in a strengths-based manner.
• Support families to understand options and assist with planning.
• Collaborate with legal representatives, court personnel, families, and professionals to address needs.
• Provide disability-informed advice and recommendations to stakeholders within consent requirements.
• Identify reasonable adjustments to support participation in court processes.
• Maintain professional boundaries and defined YAIS scope, no long-term case management.

Education

Social Work

Psychology

Occupational Therapy

Youth Work

Disability

Human Services

Job description

Youth Access and Inclusion Service Worker

The Youth Access and Inclusion Service (YAIS) Worker supports young people involved with the Children's Court who may have unmet disability support needs by identifying potential disability-related barriers, facilitating access to appropriate supports, and promoting equitable participation in court processes and the broader community.

Working within a trauma-informed, culturally safe, youth-focused, and healing-oriented framework, the position conducts disability screening, provides disability-specific information and advice, and delivers short-term outreach support to assist young people to access the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), disability assessments, and other relevant community services. The role works collaboratively with young people, families, legal representatives, court personnel, Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations, and service providers to improve outcomes for young people and ensure their support needs are recognised and appropriately addressed.

About the Opportunity

The Youth Access and Inclusion Service (YAIS) Worker supports young people involved with the Children's Court who may have unmet disability support needs by identifying potential disability-related barriers, facilitating access to appropriate supports, and promoting equitable participation in court processes and the broader community.

Working within a trauma-informed, culturally safe, youth-focused, and healing-oriented framework, the position conducts disability screening, provides disability-specific information and advice, and delivers short-term outreach support to assist young people to access the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), disability assessments, and other relevant community services. The role works collaboratively with young people, families, legal representatives, court personnel, Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations, and service providers to improve outcomes for young people and ensure their support needs are recognised and appropriately addressed.

About you

We are looking for someone who can:

• Deliver services in accordance with MCM's Healing-Oriented Framework, youth-centred, trauma-informed, culturally safe, and strengths-based practice approaches.

• Engage with young people aged 10-18 years who are involved with the Children's Court and may have unmet disability support needs.

• Conduct disability screening using approved screening tools to identify possible disability characteristics, functional impacts, and support needs.

• Provide information, advice, and guidance regarding disability supports, assessment pathways, the NDIS, and relevant community services.

• Deliver short-term outreach and support to assist young people to access disability assessments, NDIS pathways, and other community-based supports.

• Develop and maintain effective engagement strategies with young people who may present with complex needs, developmental delays, cognitive impairments, neurodiversity, mental health concerns, or challenging life circumstances.

• Support young people and families to understand available support options and make informed decisions regarding their care and future planning.

• Work collaboratively with legal representatives, court personnel, families, and relevant professionals to ensure disability-related needs are identified and considered.

• Provide disability-informed advice and recommendations to legal representatives and court stakeholders, consistent with program scope and consent requirements.

• Assist with identifying reasonable adjustments and accessibility considerations to support a young person's participation in court processes.

• Maintain clear professional boundaries and operate within the defined scope of the YAIS program, ensuring no legal advice or long-term case management is provided.

• Build and maintain positive working relationships with Children's Court personnel, legal services, disability providers, Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations, government agencies, education providers, and community services.

• Work collaboratively with the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service (VALS) and other key stakeholders to support culturally safe and responsive service delivery.

• Facilitate warm referrals and coordinated pathways to disability, health, education, housing, and community supports.

• Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential records, case notes, screening outcomes, referrals, and reports in accordance with organisational and legislative requirements.

Benefits of working with MCM include:

• Diverse and inclusive organisation

• Attractive Salary Packaging benefits

• Supportive learning and development environment

• Culture of continuous improvement

Essential:

• A tertiary qualification in Social Work, Psychology, Occupational Therapy, Youth Work, Community Services, Disability, Human Services, Criminology, Social Sciences, or a related discipline; or

• Demonstrated equivalent experience working with young people with disability, complex support needs, and/or within youth justice, court, community, or disability service settings.

• Demonstrated experience working with vulnerable children and young people, including those involved in the youth justice, child protection, disability, mental health, or community service sectors.

• Sound knowledge of disability, neurodiversity, cognitive impairments, and the impacts these may have on a young person's participation, communication, and engagement.

• Demonstrated understanding of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), disability service systems, referral pathways, and community-based supports.

• Experience undertaking case coordination, advocacy, or support planning with young people and families.

• Proven ability to engage and build effective relationships with young people presenting with complex needs and challenging circumstances using a strengths-based, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive approach.

• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and relationship management skills, including the ability to work collaboratively with courts, legal representatives, families, government agencies, Aboriginal organisations, and community services.

Screening Criteria:

• Proof of Identity Check

• National Police check

• International Police check

• Current Victorian Working with Children Check (Employee)

• NDIS Worker Screening Check and Clearance Certificate

• Other Professional Registration (e.g. SPA, OT, etc.)

• Current Victorian Drivers Licence

• Right to work in Australia

Applications for this role will close on 28 October 2026

About MCM

MCM is an inclusive and equal opportunity employer with a strong commitment to safety. MCM embraces differences because we know that diversity and inclusion help us to attract, recruit, engage and retain talented people.

We are a leading not-for profit-for-purpose organisation that offer a broad range of services in Disability, Homelessness, Palliative Care and Education.

Our commitment to Safety

MCM is committed to the safety of its clients and employees, taking a zero-tolerance approach to violence within the workplace and abuse, including child abuse and abuse of people with disability. All employees are required to comply with the Child Safe Standards.

Our commitment to Diversity, Inclusion & Equity of Access

At MCM we embrace our differences because we know that diversity helps us to innovate and make the biggest impact possible. Our DEI Strategy supports and drives an inclusive workplace culture. We embrace the learning opportunities that come with authentic commitment to equity of access for all. We particularly encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates to apply.