Mission Australia - Residential Youth Worker

Mission Australia – Residential Youth Worker

• Casual Contract – 8hr Shift Work including days, overnights and weekends
• Location: Boorloo (East Perth) WA 6004 and Beeloo (Carlisle) WA 6101
• $49 per hour + super + penalties
• Make a meaningful difference to the lives of Australians in need

Life at Mission Australia

When you join the team at Mission Australia, you become part of a community who are determined to end homelessness and ensure people in need can thrive. United by our Christian purpose and values, we advocate for a fairer Australia, to meet the growing needs of people across the country. Together we’re building hope and possibility for all. Find out more about us and our purpose.

Your Opportunity

The Drug and Alcohol Youth Service (DAYS) provides a safe, structured short-stay residential program for young people aged 12–21 years who are managing withdrawal from alcohol and other drugs and/or taking time out from challenging environmental influences and pressures. Young people participate in a daily therapeutic program and have access to clinical psychology, medical support, mentoring, and case management throughout their stay. Mission Australia currently has four Residential Youth Worker positions available across DAYS Carlisle and DAYS East Perth. Based on site, you will work directly with young people in a residential setting, supporting their engagement in the program while fostering safety, stability, and positive behavioural change. As a Residential Youth Worker, you will play a key role in building trusting relationships, teaching practical life skills, and supporting young people to develop healthy coping strategies. You will work within a trauma-informed, strength-based, and client-centred framework, contributing to positive outcomes and long-term wellbeing. These roles operate on a 24/7 rotating roster, and you must be available for 8-hour day and night shifts, including weekends.

Your Key Responsibilities

Induct young people into the service, completing all required documentation and ensuring understanding of rights, responsibilities, and program expectations. Build positive, professional relationships with young people while maintaining clear boundaries of care and promoting a child-safe environment. Provide day-to-day practical support, including personal care, hygiene, meal preparation, and life skills development using a trauma-informed approach. Support young people to understand behaviours, develop coping strategies, and work towards individual goals. Contribute to case planning, case conferences, and coordinated responses alongside Case Managers and other professionals. Manage and respond to crisis situations using Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) principles and de-escalation techniques. Facilitate structured group programs, education sessions, and recreational activities on and off site. Maintain accurate case notes, handovers, and client records in line with Mission Australia policies, quality frameworks, and accreditation standards.

Requirements for Success

A Degree, Diploma, Associate Diploma or relevant Certificate in Social Welfare, Social Science, Community Services, or equivalent demonstrated experience. Demonstrated experience working with young people at risk with complex needs, ideally within a residential or similar setting. Sound understanding of issues impacting young people, including alcohol and other drug use, mental health, trauma, homelessness, family breakdown, and crisis. Knowledge of adolescent development and the impact on behaviour, with the ability to apply appropriate boundaries and responses. Commitment to child and youth safety, including demonstrated knowledge of the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations. Well-developed interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with young people, families, and stakeholders. Strong administrative and computer skills, including the ability to maintain accurate electronic case notes and client records. Willingness to complete (or current completion of) Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) training, funded by Mission Australia. First Aid & CPR Certificate. Full driver licence with no restrictions. Before starting work with us, you will need to undertake a national police history check, qualifications, and referee checks, and have a clearance to work with children/vulnerable people.

Your Benefits

To ensure our employees feel valued, empowered, and celebrated, we provide a range of employee benefits including:

• Rewarding work – every day you know you’re making a real difference
• Free external, confidential counselling and access to chaplaincy support.
• Volunteering opportunities

Our Culture

Our innovative and inclusive culture will ensure you feel valued at Mission Australia as you help Australians in need and develop in your career. We prioritise the safety and wellbeing of everyone, both within our team and the individuals we serve. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive working environment. We actively support and encourage people of all backgrounds; gender, age, ethnicity, race, cultural background, disability, religion, and sexual orientation to submit an application and aim to ensure that the recruitment and employee experience is as accessible and inclusive as possible. So, whoever you are, if you’re skilled and actively support our purpose and values, you would be welcome at Mission Australia.

If you live with disability and require support to submit your application, please email [email protected] or visit our Careers page for additional contact details. We strongly encourage applications from people who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.

For culturally safe support or assistance with your application, please contact us at [email protected] Find out more about a career with Mission Australia.

How To Apply

Click ‘Apply’ at Mission Australia and send your application today! As a committed Circle Back Initiative employer, we will respond to your application. Applications for this role are shortlisted as received and we are interviewing through the advertising period.  Please apply as soon as possible to be considered. Thank you