Youth and Family Practitioner (Identifed)

Wuchopperen Health Service; Cairns Regional; On-site; AUD 91,000 - 98,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary Sacrifice

12% Superannuation

5 weeks annual leave

15 days personal leave pro rata

Professional development

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

Wuchopperen Health Service Ltd is recruiting a Youth and Family Practitioner (Identified) based in Cairns to support young people and families engaged with the Youth Justice System. The role is full-time permanent, supervised within the Youth and Family Services team, and requires a strong commitment to culturally informed care.

The Practitioner will work to develop family-centred plans, provide direct support, advocacy, and coordinate with partners to achieve positive client outcomes.

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualifications in community services or similar field; relevant experience accepted.
• Blue Card or Working with Children Check required; vaccination expectations noted.
• Ability to use Microsoft products and client information systems.

Responsibilities

• Support youth and families engaged with Youth Justice to reduce contact with the system.
• Develop family plans addressing risk factors and re-engagement with supports.
• Collaborate with Youth Justice and other agencies for coordinated care.
• Undertake assessments and interventions per approved case management.

Skills

Crisis intervention

Family centred

Cultural awareness

Advocacy

Education

Tertiary Qualifications in Community Services or similar

Job description

Youth and Family Practitioner (Identifed)

Youth and Family Practitioner (Identified)

1 Full -Time Permanent

Based in Cairns

Social, Community, Homecare and Disability Employees and grade 4

$91,065.00- $97,987.50 per annum

‘A culturally dynamic community where everyone thrives in health and wellbeing’.

Wuchopperen is a Community Controlled Aboriginal Health Organisation providing holistic health care services to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people of Cairns.

Benefits of working with Wuchopperen:

We provide a positive work culture and a diverse and inclusive environment. Our people matter to us, and we are committed to supporting them:

• Competitive Salary + 12% Super + Salary Sacrifice (up to $15,899 for tax free benefits and $2,650 p/a for entertainment benefits).
• 5 weeks annual leave and 15 days personal leave pro rata.
• Commitment to professional development.
• EAP for employees and family members

About the role:

The purpose of the Youth and Family Practitioner position is to provide support to young people and their families who are engaged with the Youth Justice System in order to achieve their goals to reduce engagement with the Justice System.

The Youth and Family Practitioner is supervised by the Coordinator, Youth and Family Service and the position has no supervisory responsibilities.

This position works closely with other members of the Youth and Family Services team and maintains regular contact with other program staff to ensure effective outcomes for clients.

Key responsibilities:

• Work with the Manager, Youth and Family Services to implement a culturally relevant, strengths-based, family centred support service for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and young people, particularly those who are at risk of or already involved in the youth justice system
• Assist families to develop family plans that address risk factors and re-engagement of young people with sources of support in their kin network, schools and community.
• Support case planning by undertaking engagement with young people, together with providing direct support, advocacy and referral of young people in accordance with agreed case plan goals.
• Foster connections with Youth Justice and other support agencies to share relevant information, attend case meetings and formulate joint interventions to provide coordinated care for referred young people and their families and enable rapid responses as required.
• Undertake assessments and interventions in partnership with young people and their families in accordance with approved case management protocols.
• Develop and maintain strong links with a wide range of service providers, particularly Youth Justice to enable the provision of a holistic service that addresses the needs of the young person as identified in case plans.
• Work with the Youth and Family Services Manager to monitor, review and evaluate case plans and exit strategies.
• Work with the Youth and Family Services Manager to identify and participate in training and professional development to enable the effective implementation of a family centred, strengths based, case management model of care.
• Contribute to continuous improvement processes and participate in quality assurance activities to ensure compliance with relevant standards and safe, effective service delivery.
• Gather and record statistical data relevant to measuring performance against agreed indicators and participate in review and evaluation activities.
• Participate in organisational and community activities to advance the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
• Work within Wuchopperen’s Policies and Procedures including the Staff Code of Conduct and the Work Health and Safety requirements and contribute to continuous improvement processes to ensure compliance with relevant standards and safe, effective service delivery.
• Other duties as required, within your skills, experience and capacity.

For applicants to be successful in this role, they should demonstrate:

• Demonstrated ability to implement a culturally relevant, strengths-based, family centred support service for young people and families including the ability to establish case plans and to undertake crisis intervention and work with young people with complex needs.
• Knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander societies and cultures from an historical and contemporary perspective, including the ability to communicate effectively and sensitively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
• Ability to foster connections with youth support services, together with knowledge of the Youth Justice Act 1992 or the ability to acquire this knowledge.
• Extensively developed interpersonal and communication skills including the ability to liaise with a range of stakeholders as well as effectively advocate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and in a multi-disciplinary team environment, prioritise and meet deadlines, deal with matters of a sensitive and confidential nature.
• Demonstrated ability to meet and work within the core values and behaviours of Wuchopperen.

Qualifications and experience:

• Tertiary Qualifications in Community Services or in a similar field and relevant experience; or certificate qualification and demonstrated substantial relevant experience working within similar roles as deemed equivalent by Wuchopperen.
• It is a condition of employment in this role for the employee to be, and remain, vaccinated against measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (chicken pox), pertussis (whooping cough) and hepatitis B
• It is recommended for the employee to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
• Proof of qualifications and current registration is required to be provided prior to the commencement of duty.
• The Youth and Family Practitioner is an Identified position. It is a genuine occupational requirement that an Identified position be filled by an Aboriginal person or Torres Strait Islander person, as permitted by and arguable under section 25, 104 and 105 of the Queensland Anti-Discrimination Act (1991).
• It is a condition of employment that all employees are holders of a current and valid ‘blue card’ or Working with Children Check. This is at your cost. Employment cannot continue or commence if you do not have a ‘blue card’ or if your ‘blue card’ is withdrawn or is disqualified.
• Possession of a current CPR certificate or commitment to obtain within the first six weeks of employment is essential.
• Possession of a current Queensland “CA” class driver’s licence is essential.
• Commitment to work within the principles of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community control including a willingness to develop the leadership of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff.
• All employees are responsible for the safety of themselves, students, visitors, volunteers and fellow staff members. Employees must report any hazards or incidents, co-operate in emergency drills, undertake Workplace H&S training as required, and lodge risk assessments for all external and internal risk activities.
• Ability to use Microsoft products and the ability to use or willingness to gain proficiency in the client information management systems.

Requirements:

Hold a current Blue Card (for suitability to work with children and young people).

Proof of qualifications is required to be provided prior to the commencement of duty.

Possess a current driver’s licence.

A commitment to adhere to Wuchopperen’s policies and procedures.

Applicants who do not address these requirements, will not be considered for shortlisting.

Note: Revised legislation requires applicants to hold a blue card prior to commencement. Refer to Qld Government’s Blue Card Services website for more information.

The above is an Identified position. It is a genuine occupational requirement that an Identified position be filled by an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander person, as permitted by and arguable under section 25, 104 and 105 of the Queensland Anti-Discrimination Act (1991).

The above is an Identified position. It is a genuine occupational requirement that an Identified position be filled by an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander male/female, as permitted by and arguable under section 25, 104 and 105 of the Queensland Anti-Discrimination Act (1991).

Wuchopperen is a Child Safe Organisation and the safety and wellbeing of children is of utmost importance.

Closing date for applications: 5pm on Monday 16th November 2026