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Youth Worker - P/T Fixed Term 2025 start

Job posted: 27/11/2024
Applications close: 10/12/2024 (Midnight)
2 days remaining

2 days remaining

Job Description

Location: Melbourne | Eastern Metropolitan

Job type: Part time / From 28/01/2025 - 26/01/2026

Organisation: Schools (Government)

Salary: Salary not specified

Occupation: Education and Training

Reference: 1455175

Reference: 1455175

Occupation: Education and Training

Salary Range: Salary not specified

Work location: Melbourne | Eastern Metropolitan

Location Profile

Doveton College is a unique, diverse and vibrant learning community.  It is unlike any other educational setting in Australia.  Located in the south eastern suburbs of Melbourne, Doveton College resides in one of the most disadvantaged metropolitan regions of Australia.  

 

In 2009, the Colman Foundation approached the Victorian Government with a desire to become directly involved in the education of young people who come from a background of disadvantage, including high migrant and refugee groups.  Based upon the success of this partnership and the Doveton model, Doveton College has become the lighthouse for Our Place, an organisation that supports the implementation of this community based, inclusive model across 10 sites in Victoria.  All Our Place sites have the goal of changing the life opportunities of young people by supporting families and communities to access education, health and wrap around services with the school at the centre of the services.

 

Doveton College is complex in its operation; it seeks to support, foster and develop opportunities for all members of the Doveton Community including children, young people, and adults.  The focus is on providing high quality teaching and learning programs across the 0 - 15 range with additional learning opportunities for parents and the wider community members.  It provides a wide range of wrap-around educational and allied health support for Baby College, Maternal and Child Health services, and Adult Learning opportunities.  Early Learning has been accredited as a Centre of Excellence operating a long day setting, with a focus on intentional learning through explicit teaching in a structured learning environment.

 

The College is a vibrant learning hub with approximately 100 children in the Early Learning Centre, more than 600 students in Foundation to Year 9, 150 involved in play groups, 70 regular volunteers and 150 participants in adult education courses.  Each week students from Foundation to Year 9 participate in the Doveton Engagement and Enrichment Program (DEEP) which operates as an extension to the school day and includes sports, performance, technology and artistic programs.

In addition to a large, multidisciplinary wellbeing team the College manages a broad range of co-located services to support children and families, including paedatrician, GP, speech therapists, occupational therapists, counsellors, Maternal Child Health services and many more. 

The community expectation is that the College will provide a safe and secure environment where the individual student can learn and develop to their full potential. In the school setting, high quality teaching and learning is non- negotiable. All staff are expected to commit to driving this agenda by their professionalism and dedication to the Doveton College mission of vision. The Doveton College vision is clear and is based on the belief that every child will succeed. There is a commitment to:

 

  • student growth in their learning:
  • empowering all our children and young people to be creative, curious, to explore, and discover - to strive and to excel.
  • a rigorous and dynamic curricula to meet the needs and promote the growth of every child and young person
  • a strong learning culture and team approach based on the values of respect and tolerance, high achievement and excellence, engagement, participation and leadership
  • the belief that learning occurs in partnership with parents and the support of the community.

Selection Criteria

KSC 1 Demonstrated highly developed skills when working with primary and secondary-aged children. 

KSC 2 Demonstrated knowledge of, and skills in trauma symptomology and treatment, child/adolescence development, family systems, attachment, abuse/neglect, cumulative harm and neglect. 

KSC 3 Demonstrated communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to work collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team including colleagues, other professionals, and community stakeholders. Willingness to contribute to a positive team culture through collaborative relationships.

KSC 4 Experience in the initiation, development, and implementation of programs that foster resilience in children and young people and address their social, emotional and educational needs. 

KSC 5 Demonstrated experience in the facilitation of group programs.

Role

The Student Wellbeing Youth Worker (0.8 EFT) at Doveton College supports students aged between Prep and Year 9 with targeted therapeutic goals to assist in their engagement in education. 

An integral component of this role is to:

  1. Group work facilitation and program development
  2. Youth Engagement
  3. Mentoring and Support

The Youth Worker also contributes to the development of high-quality interventions and programs that promote wellbeing and engagement throughout the College and will possess the following:

  • A relevant diploma or higher with a specialisation in youth work
  • An ACWA-accredited diploma or higher with a specialisation in youth work
  • A relevant qualification (non-specialised): A relevant qualification related to community services and comparable to AQF level 5 or higher.
  1. Strong understanding of youth development principles and best practices.
  2. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
  3. Ability to work collaboratively in a team and independently.
  4. Knowledge of community resources and the ability to connect youth with appropriate services.

Desirable:

  1. Several years¿ experience working in the health and wellbeing sector with a clear understanding of child and adolescent development. 
  2. Ability to manage challenging situations related to traumatic exposure.

Responsibilities

Group Facilitation:

  1. Plan, organize, and facilitate group activities aimed at promoting teamwork, communication, and personal growth among youth.
  2. Create a supportive and inclusive atmosphere where participants feel comfortable expressing themselves and building positive connections with their peers.
  3. Contribute to the design and development of group programs that align with the organization's mission and the evolving needs of the youth population.
  4. Continuously assess the effectiveness of programs and suggest improvements to enhance overall impact.

Youth Engagement:

  1. Build trusting relationships with youth participants, understanding their unique needs, challenges, and aspirations.
  2. Develop and implement strategies to actively involve young people in the planning and evaluation of group activities, ensuring their voices are heard and respected.
  3. Provide comprehensive, individualised, goal-focused care to mental health of students, through assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of clinical interventions. 
  4. Communicate/liaise with classroom teachers to identify strategies to benefit broader cohorts.
  5. Provide comprehensive and transparent case management to allocated students. 
  6. Facilitate intensive support for students with specific social, emotional and educational needs through therapeutic interventions and case management.

Mentorship and Support:

  1. Provide individualized support to youth, offering guidance, mentorship, and a listening ear.
  2. Collaborate with other youth workers and support staff to address the diverse needs of participants, including emotional, social, and educational support.

Documentation and Reporting:

  1. Complete accurate case notes in line with the Doveton College Case Note Policy. 
  2. Prepare regular reports for program evaluation purposes and to communicate outcomes to relevant stakeholders.
  3. Report any concerns to relevant external services such as The Orange Door or Child Protection. 
  4. Undertake regular Supervision.
  5. Advise the Wellbeing Coordinator, and Leadership Team of any incidents impacting upon students¿ wellbeing in a timely manner.
  6. Attend wellbeing and required Staff meetings. 
  7. Provide professional development/staff training as required.
  8. Any other duties as directed by the Wellbeing Coordinator/Leadership team. 

Who May Apply

Individuals with the aptitude, experience and/or qualifications to fulfill the specific requirements of the position.

EEO AND OHS Commitment

Applicants seeking part-time employment are encouraged to apply for any teaching service position and, if they are the successful candidate, request a reduced time fraction. Such requests will be negotiated on a case-by-case basis and will be subject to the operational requirements of the school.

The Department of Education is committed to the principles of equal opportunity, and diversity and inclusion for all. We value diversity and inclusion in all forms - gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQ+, disability and neurodiversity. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for roles within the Department. The Department recognises that the provision of family friendly, supportive, safe and harassment free workplaces is essential to high performance and promotes flexible work, diversity and safety across all schools and Department workplaces. It is our policy to provide reasonable adjustments for persons with a disability (see Workplace adjustment guidelines).

Additional support and advice on the recruitment process is available to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islanders from the Koorie Outcomes Division (KOD) via marrung@education.vic.gov.au

Child Safe Standards

Victorian government schools are child safe environments. Our schools actively promote the safety and wellbeing of all students, and all school staff are committed to protecting students from abuse or harm in the school environment, in accordance with their legal obligations including child safe standards. All schools have a Child Safety Code of Conduct consistent with the department's exemplar available at:

 https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/child-safe-standards/policy

DE Values

The department's employees commit to upholding the department's Values: Responsiveness, Integrity, Impartiality, Accountability, Respect, Leadership and Human Rights. The department's Values complement each school's own values and underpin the behaviours the community expects of Victorian public sector employees, including those who work in Victorian Government Schools. Information on the department values is available at:

 https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/values-department-vps-school-employees/overview

Other Information

  • All staff employed by the department and schools have access to a broad range of employment conditions and working arrangements.
  • Appointment of successful applicants will be made subject to a satisfactory pre-employment conditions check.
  • A probationary period may apply during the first year of employment and induction and support programs provided.
  • Detailed information on all terms and conditions of employment is available on the Department's Human Resources website at http://www.education.vic.gov.au/hrweb/Pages/default.aspx

 

Please ensure that your application includes:

  • A resume including relevant experience as well as personal details (name, address and contact numbers, business and home)
  • A section addressing the selection criteria and the requirements for application under the Who May Apply section
  • Names and contact numbers (telephone and email if possible) of two referees who are able to attest to the claims made in your application.

Please note that the selection panel may seek additional referees beyond those you name. Consistent with policy, we shall advise you if we will take this action.

Conditions of Employment

  • All staff employed by the Department and schools have access to a broad range of employment conditions and working arrangements.
  • Appointment of successful applicants will be made subject to a satisfactory pre-employment conditions check.
  • A probationary period may apply during the first year of employment and induction and support programs provided.
  • Detailed information on all terms and conditions of employment is available on the Department's Human Resources website at http://www.education.vic.gov.au/hrweb/Pages/default.aspx
Youth Worker - P/T Fixed Term 2025 start

Job type:

Part time / From 28/01/2025 - 26/01/2026

Job classification:

Ed Support Level 1-Range 3

Contact:

Amara Miles | 03 8765 0111

Youth Worker - P/T Fixed Term 2025 start