Better Futures Youth Worker

• Highly regarded not-for-profit organisation
• Progressive, enthusiastic and dedicated staff
• Attractive Salary Packaging available
• Full time position
• Based in Sunshine – Outreach support across Melbourne’s western suburbs

Djerriwarrh Community & Education Services (Djerriwarrh) is a highly regarded not-for-profit charitable organisation which has been delivering high quality education, training, employment and youth programs in the western suburbs of Melbourne since 1989.  Djerriwarrh’s Mission Statement is ‘empowering individuals and local communities to learn, connect and grow’.  Djerriwarrh has an inclusive, collaborative workplace culture.

Program:

Better Futures is a program designed to provide flexible and tailored support to young people as they transition from out-of-home care to independence. The aim of Better Futures is to engage earlier with care leavers, supporting them to have an active voice in their transition planning. A Better Futures Youth Worker provides secondary consultation to the care team, lending expertise to the transition planning process and providing individualised supports both in-care and post-care across a range of life areas including housing, health and wellbeing, education, employment, and community connections.

Home Stretch is delivered via the Better Futures program. Better Futures workers proactively engage with young people and support them as they transition from out-of-home care up to 21 years of age. Better Futures workers will provide flexible, tailored support to young people on the Home Stretch program to support their goals for independence.

Role:

Work within the Better Futures/Home Stretch contract of service delivery and applicable funding arrangements and offer appropriate levels of client service delivery.

• Be compliant with the reporting requirements and funding contract guidelines for service delivery
• Data entry/case note entries into CRISSP (Client Relationship Information System for Service Providers), a system used to manage information and cases for clients
• Assess, monitor and report against program brokerage requests and servicing hours. Ensure that targets and outcomes are achieved, and contractual compliance is met
• Follow Djerriwarrh’s and program policies and procedures to advance quality management
• Provide services to young people as per the program guidelines and assist in the transition planning process towards independent living
• Conduct an assessment of the young person; this can be to confirm eligibility, determine level of support needed, identify aspirations and goals, and identify risk factors
• In conjunction with the young person, identify their goals using the Better Futures and Advantage Thinking framework, which is regularly reviewed
• Provide tailored assistance to the young person, which may include mentoring, motivation, advocacy, career guidance and skills development
• Provide health and wellbeing support by referring the young person to relevant support services, as required and appropriate
• Ensure services are customer driven and practices are culturally appropriate
• Develop and maintain relationships with young people
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with key stakeholders and relevant service providers to establish and facilitate community and cultural connections for young people
• Ensure relevant information systems and confidential records are maintained within the required timeframe
• Partake in DFFH reviews as needed and undertake necessary Out of Home Care (OoHC) documentation requirements
• Participate in CRISSP reviews
• Communicate problems impacting on the performance of the service site to the Manager in an effective and timely manner
• Participate in the planning and review of services
• Participate in staff meetings, and policy and organisational development activities
• Complete other duties as required by the Manager and consistent with this award classification.

Skills/Qualifications:

• Strong administrative skills
• Minimum Certificate IV in Community & Welfare studies
• Diploma or Degree in Youth Work and or Social work is highly desirable
• Minimum 2 years experience in working with young people that reside in Out of Home Care (Residential Care)
• Understanding and knowledge in Trauma and attachment theory
• Understanding and or experience in a similar program
• Working With Children Check
• Current Drivers Licence
• Ability to work autonomously and from home when required

Position Description:

For a position description and information on how to apply please click on the following links:

Applications Direction – Better Futures Youth Worker November 2025

Better Futures Youth Worker PD (full time or part time) – October 2025

Applications must include a cover letter, an address to the Key Selection Criteria and a current resume.  Applicants who do not address the Key Selection Criteria will not be contacted.

Closing date: 10:00am Monday 17 November 2025

Djerriwarrh actively encourages applications from Aboriginal peoples, people from culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds, gender and sexually diverse people and people with a disability.