Therapeutic Youth Worker - ACT

• Support young people with complex trauma using a therapeutic, trauma-informed approach
• Work alongside a passionate team to deliver consistent, healing-focused care
• Grow your skills and impact in a dynamic, purpose-driven environment

As a Youth Worker in our Therapeutic Residential Care program with Mackillop, you will provide intensive, trauma-informed support to children and young people with complex emotional, behavioural, and psychological needs - many of whom have experienced significant adversity, trauma, or disrupted attachments. These young people cannot be safely supported in foster care and require a highly structured, consistent, and compassionate environment to begin healing.

You will work closely with a multidisciplinary team-including clinicians, care team members, and allied health professionals-to implement individualised therapeutic plans that address the root causes of behaviour, build emotional resilience, and support long-term recovery and development. Your role will be central to helping young people develop trust, experience safety, and form positive, secure relationships in both residential and community settings.

• Build meaningful therapeutic relationships that help young people regulate emotions, develop social skills, and rebuild a sense of self-worth
• Support young people through complex and high-risk behaviours using consistent, trauma-informed practices
• Implement and maintain therapeutic care frameworks based on attachment theory, neurodevelopment, and behaviour support
• Respond effectively to crises while maintaining a calm and supportive presence
• Foster environments where young people feel safe, valued, and empowered to grow

To be successful in this role, you will need:

• A deep commitment to working with children and young people with high and complex needs
• Strong understanding of trauma and its impacts on development and behaviour
• Capacity to remain calm and effective in challenging situations
• Availability for a variety of shifts, including sleepovers and active nights
• Excellent interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence
• A values-driven approach rooted in compassion, consistency, and respect

• Experience working therapeutically with young people with complex trauma, mental health challenges, disability, or high-risk behaviours
• Proven ability to follow and implement individualised case plans, behaviour support plans, and safety plans
• Ability to use evidence-informed approaches such as social learning, emotional coaching, and positive behavioural support
• Capacity to contribute to a team culture focused on reflective practice, learning, and continuous improvement
• Willingness to engage in ongoing training and supervision within a therapeutic model of care

For a full position listing, please click APPLY. The Position Description is available for review at the bottom of the page.

Our offer

• Hourly rate: $38.65 to $41.45 as outlined in the SCHADS Award Level 3, dependent on qualification and experience.
• Salary packaging - we can help you maximise your salary packaging up to $18,550 per year, which allows you to reduce the amount of tax you pay.
• Paid Training that is industry specific including Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI), Sanctuary and Cultural Awareness training.
• Fitness Passport - discounted workplace health and fitness program available to you and your family.
• Employee Assistance Program - free access to counselling, coaching, and support for work and personal challenges.
• Supportive Environment - monthly supportive meetings with your direct manager.
• Sanctuary Organisation - MacKillop's work is underpinned by the Sanctuary Model, an evidence-supported whole-of-organisation framework that reinforces a safe environment for coping with stress and trauma.

Benefits and Support:

At MacKillop Family Services, we value our employees' well-being and professional growth. Benefits include:

• Generous Salary Packaging: Up to $18,500.
• Ongoing Career Development: Opportunities for education, training, and professional growth.
• Employee Assistance Program: Free and confidential counselling, coaching, and emotional support for work and personal challenges.

Requirements:

To be eligible for this role, you must possess:

• Cert IV in Community Services, or Youth Work (or related) or higher, or be willing to obtain.
• Valid and current Driver's License
• Satisfactory Criminal History Check (paid for by MacKillop)
• Valid Employee Working with Vulnerable People Check
• Valid and current NDIS Workers Screening Check (MacKillop can assist successful candidates with the application)

How to Apply:

To apply for this opportunity, click Apply and follow the prompts to submit your application via Seek.

Our Commitment:

• MacKillop Family Services celebrates diversity, respects the dignity of all individuals, and promotes a safe and just environment for everyone. We value people's abilities, cultural backgrounds, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, intersex status, relationship status, religious or spiritual beliefs, socio-economic status, and age.
• We are committed to creating a culturally safe and welcoming organization for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

For more information, please contact:

Alexandra Jones at

Shortlisting for this role will immediately