About the Organisation

Bridges Health and Community Care is a leading provider of Mental Health, Drug & Alcohol & Offender Services across Bundaberg, Fraser Coast and Burnett areas, operating in the region since 1997.   Bridges offers a variety of interventions and supports for all age groups, including psychological services, allied health, NDIS, outreach, counselling, education and training, healthy lifestyle programs and psychosocial support services, supported by professional staff committed to our practice principles of recovery, “No Wrong Door” approach and exceptional customer service.

About the Position

To support clients of the Youth Bail Support Service in the Bundaberg region, which assists young people involved in the youth and criminal justice system in accordance with the requirements of the negotiated Queensland Government service agreement.

Purpose of the Role

• Provision of timely, effective, culturally and age-appropriate interventions and intensive case management of young people aged 10 – 17, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth, to improve their chances of being granted bail, meet their conditions of bail and improve their connection to pro-social activities and supports and enhance their social and emotional wellbeing
• Establish, foster and strengthen relationships between local communities, elders, recognised entities and health, justice and community providers to ensure key stakeholders participate in the co-design of local solutions and strategies in addressing issues that impact on Bundaberg youth at risk or involved in anti-social and criminal activities
• Develop and implement strategies to increase ongoing participation and engagement of young people in Bridges Bail support and associated support services, where relevant.
• Ensure that services and interventions support BHCC’s purpose, vision and core values

The target group for the service is:

 • young people aged 10 – 17 years who are at high risk of being remanded in custody

 • young people who are alleged to have committed an offence and could be eligible for bail, but are at high risk of remand without support  

• are at risk of re-offending or non-compliance with their orders without support

• are remanded in custody due in part, to lack of stable accommodation and/or positive support in the community.

Key Responsibilities

• Intensive case management, not time limited
• Court Advocacy, liasing with police, magistrates, legal practitioners and youth justice
• Coordinating intervention services, programs and activities to young people subject to Bail/Conditional Bail.
• Practical assistance to and from court and appointments for young person and immediate family, if require
• Family and stakeholder engagement
• Diversionary referrals for non-youth justice clients to relevant support services.
• Provide regular updates to court staff and Youth justice about ongoing compliance and attendance in agreed activities
• Provide timely and professional quantitative and qualitative reports to the Department and the Executive team
• Participate in continuous improvement activities including external audits 

The service will work collaboratively with the young person, Youth Justice, families, and other stakeholders to fulfil elements of the young person’s case plan and bail conditions. 

About the Person

We seek staff who;

• Have the capacity to work flexible hours to cater for individual client needs
• Are highly skilled in negotiation and advocacy
• Are committed to improving the lives and pro-social outcomes for youth
• Foster a belief that strength, resilience and wrap around support for young people will determine success
• Are genuine team players able to support and embrace a multidisciplinary approach, internally and externally
• Have natural ability to develop rapport and maintain meaningful relationships with a broad client group, including Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people
• Aspire to work in a dynamic environment
• Display commitment to continuous quality improvement and professional development
• Believe in “No Wrong Door” for people in distress

Selection Criteria

• Knowledge of, and experience in the youth justice system, including an understanding of court processes and bail.
• Knowledge of, or the ability to rapidly acquire knowledge of professional youth services available in the Bundaberg region. 
• Demonstrated understanding of the issues relevant to young people’s interaction with the criminal justice system and knowledge of referral pathways. 
• Demonstrated ability to apply effective case management techniques, including assessment, referral, counselling, intensive support, mediation and networking. 
• Demonstrated experience in successfully meeting reporting requirements, accurate and timely data collection. 
• Exceptional communication skills including:
  • The ability to communicate clearly, professionally and respectfully with young people, families, colleagues, other agency personnel and external stakeholders;
  • Accurate, precise, professional written and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrated computer skills, with intermediate to advanced knowledge in Microsoft Office applications.

A requirement prior to commencement is to currently hold and maintain:

• Current working with children check (Blue Card)
• Current NDIS Worker Screening Clearance or Yellow Card Exemption
• Current Queensland Open Driver Licence
• The right to work in Australia

About the Benefits

Bridges Health & Community Care Ltd understand the critical importance of their employees in the success of the organisation and as such are always on the lookout for talented, like-minded individuals to join their team.

In return for your hard work and dedication, you’ll receive an attractive remuneration package commensurate with experience and qualifications, as well as salary sacrificing options to further enhance your take-home pay. 

You will be joining a culture that is dedicated to helping you succeed. Ongoing training and professional development is available to help you grow, and flexible working arrangements are negotiable to ensure that you maintain a great work-life balance.

This is a truly rewarding opportunity to support an organisation that assists vulnerable and marginalised members of the community. If you think you have what it takes to join the Bridges team then we want to hear from you – apply now!

Interested applicants are required to submit:

• an up-to-date resume including two recent referees;
• a cover letter addressing the selection criteria and requirements of the role.

Bridges encourages applications for employment from  people who identify as Aboriginal &/or Torres Strait Islander with positive connections to the local indigenous community.

Applications close at 5pm on Friday 29 September 2023.

For confidential enquiries about the role, or to request a copy of the Position Description, please contact Bruce Bryan on [email protected]. 

Early applications are encouraged. We reserve the right to close the position if a suitable candidate is found sooner than the closing date.