About Youth Off The Streets

Youth Off The Streets is a not-for-profit youth organisation that provides safety, support and opportunities for young people to build a positive future. We offer crisis accommodation and housing services, alternative high school education, alcohol and other drugs counselling, youth justice support, life skills and employment programs, cultural support and community engagement, among other services. We focus on early interventions that empower young people and strengthen communities.

Our schools aim to offer young people who have become disengaged from education an opportunity to achieve either the Record of School Achievement, Higher School Certificate or the skills they require to go on to further vocational education, apprenticeships and/or employment.

A majority of our success is based on the provision of individual learning adjustments within and outside of the classroom.

About the role:

Youth Off The Streets is looking for a DFSV Youth Specialist Worker on a part time maximum term basis 3 days per week for 12 months. 

This role is part of our DFSV Team and supporting our school at Merrylands.  

Working alongside the DFSV Prevention/Youth Support Lead the DFSV Youth Specialist Workers will deliver The Power Within Program supporting students and education staff. 

The Power Within Program is an intensive program which aims to:

• Prevent Domestic, Family & Sexual Violence (DFSV) as part of a co-ordinated agenda for violence prevention.
• Provide early intervention for young people at risk of using abuse connected to domestic and family violence
• Provide preventative education to identified vulnerable groups. 

The program teaches young people, with limited exposure to healthy family and intimate relationships, how to identify and stop the cycle of Domestic Family & Sexual Violence (DFSV) whilst building their resilience (their “power within”).

Key Responsibilities:

• Deliver The Power Within program in schools
• Be available to advise best practice around DFSV and other related issues to all staff in education
• Determine appropriate referrals for individual students who have experienced DFSV
• One on one conversations around placing external/internal services around affected student dealing with DFSV
• Collate and respond to any coping plans completed, support staff after completion
• To document and inform the line managers/DFSV Lead of any serious incidents involving students.
• Complete MRG or DCJ reports when required
• Maintain up to date information on DFSV
• Collaborate with all the wellbeing team in your allocated schools, students experiencing current or historical DFSV
• Maintain up to date case notes and collecting and recording statistical data
• Identification and assessment of DFSV, child safety, threat of harm to self or others, and other risk factors.

Knowledge, Skills and abilities:

• Demonstrated ability to understand needs of youth who are experiencing DFSV
• Strong experience in risk assessment and implementation of safety strategies
• Demonstrated experience and understanding of diverse backgrounds eg: First Nation and Torres Strait Islander peoples
• Experience undertaking community engagement activities and networking
• Theoretical knowledge intended for working with people using abuse, survivors or surviving DFSV
• Good understanding of the DFV protection Act, other relevant legislation, and confidentiality requirements
• Excellent communication skills both written and verbal
• Excellent time management
• Competent in computer use, Microsoft Office, email, web-based programs and the ability to learn new programs and applications 

The person we seek will ideally have the following:

Education Qualification

• Essential: Minimum qualification Diploma in Community Services

Minimum Experience

• At least 5 years’ experience in working with DFSV with youth and families

Certifications & Licences

• Working with children’s check, police check, valid driver’s licence and full Australian working rights

What we can offer you:

• Flexible working arrangements
• A supportive team environment
• Career progression and development pathways
• EAP for yourself and your family
• Salary packaging up to $15,900
• Rewards and benefits program

To Apply 

Please ensure you enclose a copy of your resume with your contact details and cover letter addressing the essential criteria (2 pages maximum). 

At Youth Off The Streets, diversity, equity and inclusion are part of our DNA. Together, we continue to build an inclusive culture that encourages, supports, and celebrates the diverse voices of our people. It fuels our innovation and connects us closer to our customers and the communities we serve.

Youth off The Streets is an EEO Employer and a child safe organisation

This is a rare opportunity to join a passionate and high profile not for profit organisation that values the current youth of today and the youth of tomorrow.

The successful candidate will be requested to submit applications for a NSW Working With Children Check and Police Check. You will also be required to have a valid Australian Drivers Licence and unrestricted Australian working rights.

We encourage people who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander to apply for this position.