Youth Support Worker

Kirinari Community Services; Tamworth; On-site; AUD 62,000 - 82,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary Packaging up to $18,500pa

Maxxia rewards program

Annual Leave up to 5 weeks

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

Kirinari Community Services Tamworth is seeking Youth Support Workers to provide direct, trauma-informed care for young people in OOHC homes. Your role includes crisis intervention, ongoing support, and helping residents develop practical life skills in a nurturing environment.

You will work as part of a dedicated team, focusing on safety, dignity, and independence while complying with safeguarding requirements and roster flexibility, including evenings and weekends.

Qualifications

• Formal qualification in community services or related field.
• Experience in residential care or trauma-informed practice preferred.
• Ability to work with young people and families with complex needs.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct, person-centred support to young people in Kirinari OOHC homes.
• Deliver crisis intervention and ongoing support to residents.
• Maintain a safe, warm home environment and assist with life-skills development.

Skills

Crisis intervention

Trauma-informed care

Disability support

Communication skills

Education

Cert IV Community Services

Tools

Computer literacy

Job description

Kirinari Community Services – Tamworth NSW

Due to the specific needs, privacy, dignity and safeguarding requirements, this position is open to female applicants only. This requirement is considered a genuine occupational qualification under applicable anti-discrimination legislation.

At Kirinari, we support children and young people in Out of Home Care (OOHC) who have experienced trauma, abuse, neglect and significant life challenges. Many of the young people we support also live with disability, neurodivergence, psychosocial disability, developmental delay, or complex support needs.

We believe behaviour is communication. Through trauma-informed and therapeutic support, we help young people build safety, confidence, relationships and life skills that enable them to thrive.

The overall responsibilities of Youth Support Workers are to provide direct person-centred support and care to young people who reside in Kirinari OOHC homes, ensuring their individual needs are met. Youth Support Workers provide crisis intervention and ongoing support, maintain a safe and welcoming home environment, and empower young people to develop skills which support them to live a good life within their local community.

A Unique and Meaningful Opportunity

Our Residential Care teams work with some of the most complex and inspiring young people in our communities. This role combines the principles of therapeutic residential care, disability support, positive behaviour support and trauma-informed practice.

You will be supported to understand the intersection between:

• Trauma and attachment
• Disability and neurodiversity
• Mental health and emotional regulation
• Complex behaviours of concern
• Communication and sensory needs
• Positive Behaviour Support and therapeutic care

Through specialised training and ongoing coaching, you'll develop the skills and confidence to support young people in ways that promote safety, dignity, choice, independence and lifelong outcomes.

Why Join Us?

At Kirinari, we don't expect you to know everything from day one. We invest heavily in building the capability of our workforce.

Successful applicants will receive training and development in:

• Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI)
• Trauma-Informed Care
• Positive Behaviour Support
• Understanding Disability and Neurodiversity
• Emotional Regulation and Co-Regulation
• Therapeutic Residential Care
• Safeguarding and Child Protection
• Communication and Engagement Strategies

You’ll be part of a team that sees beyond behaviours and focuses on understanding each young person's story, strengths and potential.

• Demonstrate a commitment to the safety of children, young people, and people with a disability.
• An understanding of strength-based trauma informed practice (or willingness to learn).
• Qualifications in Community Services, Residential Care, Welfare of other related areas (Cert IV) (highly regarded).
• Previous experience in residential therapeutic care and complex trauma (highly regarded).
• Willingness to work a flexible roster, including weekends, evenings and sleepovers.
• Ability to obtain the NDIS Workers Screening Check prior to commencement.
• Ability to obtain a paid NSW Working with Children Check prior to commencement.
• Willingness to be registered on the NSW Residential Care Workers Register
• Complete a National Criminal History Check (paid by Kirinari).
• Ability to be physically active and engage with young people playing games/sport etc.
• Ability to use computers and learn a variety of software/programs.
• Hold a current Australian Driver's License.
• Excellent salary benefits including Salary Packaging to boost take home pay for Full/Part-Time employees (up to $18,500pa).
• Access to the Maxxia rewards program – this provides you with discounts and benefits at hundreds of retail outlets, department stores, attractions, travel, cinemas and restaurants nationwide.
• Career Progression opportunities
• Healthy work-life balance - we offer employees a great work/life balance with flexible working conditions so you can find what works for you.
• Annual Leave up to 5 weeks (FT/PT).
• Access to an Employee Assistance Program that can help you and your immediate family navigate challenges in your lives, at no cost.

About Kirinari

Kirinari is a not-for-profit provider of Human Services with a vision to build a good life for everyone.

We are immersed in communities far and wide across rural and regional Australia, and provide a diverse range of services in the following areas:

• Accommodation and Housing
• Children and Youth
• Disability
• Health
• Transport

The Difference You'll Make

You may be supporting a young person to attend school for the first time in months, helping them manage overwhelming emotions, teaching independent living skills, building confidence in community participation, or celebrating milestones that many people take for granted.

Every positive interaction matters.

Every relationship matters.

And every day, you'll have the opportunity to be part of a young person's healing journey.

Due to the high volume of applications, the interview process may commence before the closing date.

If you have any questions, for a confidential discussion please contact recruitment on ***********@kirinari.com.auor 02 6056 2***

You must have the right to live and work in Australia.

Kirinari is committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce, and actively encourage applications from individuals who identify as ATSI, LGBTIQ, CALD and diverse backgrounds.

Kirinari embrace Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) that promotes a diverse workforce and encourage applications from First Nations & Torres Strait Islander Peoples and applicants from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds. People of all ages and abilities including people with lived experience or knowledge of disability are also encouraged to consider a career with us