Youth Worker Engagement and Support

Youth Off The Streets; Canterbury-Bankstown; On-site; AUD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary packaging

EAP for you and family

Additional leave (purchased, gifted, S

Self-care leave

Fitness Passport

Job summary

Youth Off The Streets is seeking a dedicated Youth Worker to provide hands-on, trauma-informed support to young people aged 12-24 in our NSW programs. You’ll engage with at-risk youth, facilitate activities, build trusting relationships and advocate for their needs in the community.

Your role focuses on client-centered support, program facilitation, and collaboration with local services to improve wellbeing and pathways to safety and inclusion. Evening shifts are required weekly.

Qualifications

• Certificate IV in Youth Work or Community Services is required.
• Experience working with young people.
• Understanding of trauma-informed and harm-reduction practices.
• Ability to build trusted, professional relationships with clients.

Responsibilities

• Establish rapport with young people and assist their development.
• Collaborate with community to identify and implement activities and programs.
• Facilitate youth engagement activities promoting empowerment.
• Provide holistic individual support to improve life circumstances.
• Develop networks with service providers and government bodies.
• Promote a safe and inclusive environment.
• Maintain awareness of local needs and emerging issues.
• Maintain professional boundaries with clients and stakeholders.
• Adhere to child protection legislation and best practices.
• Collaborate with other service areas to achieve positive outcomes.

Skills

Experience working with young people

Trauma-informed practice

Harm-reduction approach

Relationship building

Education

Certificate IV in Youth Work or Community Services

Job description

Youth Off The Streets is a not‑for‑profit organisation that provides safety, support and opportunities for young people to build a positive future. Our services include crisis accommodation and housing support, alternative high school education, alcohol and other drugs counselling, youth justice programs, life skills and employment pathways, cultural support and community engagement.

We focus on early intervention and community‑led support that empowers young people, strengthens families and builds safer, more connected communities. Our work is grounded in trauma‑informed practice and guided by The Sanctuary Model, ensuring safety, emotional wellbeing and collaboration are at the heart of everything we do.

About the Role:

Everyone’s potential deserves to be realised especially young people finding their way through tough moments. As part of our Youth Support Services team, you’ll meet young people where they are, build trust and help them take confident steps toward safety, stability and connection. Your work is hands‑on, relational and grounded in trauma‑informed practice. You’ll make a real difference every day!

The Youth Worker’s role is the primary contact with the program target group of young people aged 12-24 and is responsible for providing support to acquire, develop and maintain skills that will enable them to successfully connect with their community.

The position focuses on engagement of at‑risk young people and identifying their issues and support needs as well as taking steps to address these needs through provision of client centred individual support and advocacy.

The role responds directly and immediately to a young person’s needs and circumstances.

This is done through program facilitation & attendance of programs, street‑based engagement, establishing rapport with young people, and building trusting and professional relationships that foster person centred practice.

It is a requirement of the role that evening shifts up until 9pm are rostered weekly

What you’ll do:

Establish rapport with young people who are involved with or at risk of involvement with the justice system who are from varied backgrounds and levels of ability and assist them to develop skills for living within the community.

Consult and collaborate with the community to identify, develop and implement effective and meaningful activities and programs that assist with the individual's development and inclusion

Facilitate local youth engagement activities which promote youth empowerment within a community development framework

Provide holistic individual support for young people to improve life circumstances and enhance well‑being

Develop strong networks with service providers, local community groups, and Government bodies and provides a platform for young people to access services from these multiple service providers

Promote and maintains a safe and inclusive environment

Maintain awareness of local needs and emerging issues

Maintain a high standard of reporting and data collection

Maintain professional boundaries with clients and stakeholders

Adhere with child protection legislation, procedures and best practices

Collaborate with all YOTS Service areas and other agencies to achieve positive outcomes for young people.

Provide individual support and group facilitation

Facilitate capacity building workshops in a group setting.

Build referral pathways and promotes service in community to support business growth and achieve KPI targets

Collaborate with youth justice and law enforcement agencies to advocate for and support young people involved in the youth justice system

Offer guidance and support to young people navigating the court system to help achieve more positive outcomes

What you’ll bring:

Certificate IV in Youth Work or Community Services (minimum)

Experience working with young people

Strong understanding of the challenges young people face

Trauma‑informed and harm‑reduction practice

Ability to build trusted, professional relationships

Good judgement and ability to respond to immediate needs

Respect for diverse cultural backgrounds

Flexibility to work evenings

Why you’ll love working with us:

Work environment – Trauma‑informed, safe and collaborative

Compensation and benefits - Practical supports that sustain you in demanding, relational work.

Balance – Healthy boundaries, reflective practice and manageable workloads.

What we offer:

• Salary packaging: $15,900 tax‑free + $2,650 meal & entertainment
• EAP for yourself and your family
• Additional leave (purchased leave, gifted leave, self‑care leave)
• Access to Fitness Passport

Youth Off The Streets embraces The Sanctuary Model as the foundation of our organisational culture. This trauma‑informed framework guides how we support young people and staff, prioritising safety, emotional wellbeing and resilience. It shapes our approach to conflict resolution, crisis intervention and healing from trauma creating a safe, inclusive and supportive environment for all.

We are committed to diversity, equity and inclusion. These values are part of who we are and how we work. We actively encourage, support and celebrate the diverse voices and strengths of our people. This diversity fuels innovation, deepens connection and strengthens the impact we have in the communities we serve.

Youth Off The Streets is an EEO employer and a child‑safe organisation. This is a rare opportunity to join a passionate, high‑profile not‑for‑profit that values the young people of today and tomorrow and the people who support them.

The successful candidate will be required to hold a NSW Working With Children Check, Police Check, a valid Australian Driver Licence, and unrestricted Australian working rights.

We strongly encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to apply.