Behaviour Support Specialist

Department of Justice and Community Safety VIC; Town of Little River (WI); On-site; USD 72,000 - 81,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Ongoing training

Supervision

Job stability

Leave entitlements

Employee assistance program

Job summary

Department of Justice and Community Safety VIC – Little River, Victoria, is seeking a Behaviour Support Specialist to work with young people in custody across Cherry Creek Youth Justice Precinct. You will collaborate with custodial staff to implement interventions and deliver psychosocial programs to support behavioural change.

Using evidence-informed practice, you will guide life-changing shifts in mindset and behaviour, develop personalised strategies, and participate in ongoing training and

Qualifications

• Experience working with young people in youth justice contexts.
• Willingness to participate in regular training and development.
• Ability to work collaboratively with custodial staff and other stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain relationships with young people to support behavioural change.
• Facilitate individual and group-based psychosocial programs in custody.
• Develop assessment reports and personalised strategies for support.
• Contribute to a strong team culture and collaborate with other stakeholders.

Job description

Department of Justice and Community Safety VIC – Little River VIC

Support justice-involved young people turn their lives around.

Enjoy a challenging role within a safe and supported team.

Earn $100,894 - $114,476 per year, plus super.

Grow your skills with ongoing training and supervision.

If you’re passionate about working with young people and are looking to join a team that values your expertise, supports creativity and encourages professional growth, you’ll thrive within the Rehabilitation & Outcomes team.

Across our custodial facilities at Cherry Creek, Malmsbury and Parkville, we give young people involved in the justice system the consistent and professional support they need. This role will be based at the Cherry Creek Youth Justice Precinct, Little River, Victoria.

As a Behaviour Support Specialist, you will be part of a team that will work collaboratively with custodial staff to better understand the needs behind young people’s behaviour, implement interventions that will support young people’s behaviour in custody and deliver psychosocial programs to help young people rebuild their lives. You will also enjoy working alongside our Statewide Rehabilitation Service clinicians and restorative practitioners.

Using evidence-informed practice, you will guide young people through life‑changing shifts in mindset, behaviour and self‑belief and empower them to make positive choices, learn new skills to reduce harmful behaviours and stay on track.

It’s complex and challenging work, but it’s work that makes a real difference both to young people’s futures and to our state’s safety.

You will:

Build and maintain relationships with young people that support behavioural change.

Facilitate individual and group‑based psychosocial programs to young people in custody.

Develop a functional understanding of challenging behaviours to compile assessment reports and formulate personalised strategies and support plans.

Contribute to a strong team culture where peer support and collaboration with other stakeholders are central to success.

Take part in regular training and development,

Learn more about SRS and BSS

What you will get

Our behaviour support team will tell you that the work here is its own reward. This is a unique opportunity to provide continued support to young people, working across a variety of youth justice settings.

However, there are also many other benefits of a career in youth justice, including:

opportunities for further professional development

job stability and generous leave entitlements

employee assistance support to help with a wide range of work or personal issues.

About you

Becoming a behaviour support specialist can be a great first step toward a career in clinical or therapeutic work.

If you are interested in a career in clinical, social service or healthcare–, have a relevant qualification and have some experience working with young people to make positive changes – we encourage you to apply for this opportunity. This could be the start of career defining work with real purpose.

Our behaviour support team work on rostered shifts which will include some nights and weekends. For more information on the skills we look for, please read the position description document attached.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

CHILD SAFE STATEMENT OF COMMITMENT:

The Department of Justice and Community Safety is committed to the safety and wellbeing of children and young people. We seek to prevent harm of any kind impacting children and young people and have zero tolerance for racism, child abuse and inequality. Children and young people's rights, relationships, identity, and culture must be recognised and respected, their voices heard, and their concerns acted upon. We aim to foster a culturally safe, child safe and child friendly environment for all children and young people we have contact with, deliver services to, or are impacted by our work.