Youth Worker – Residential & Semi Independent Living Service (SILS)

CQID is experiencing enormous organisational growth across all services and seeking suitable candidates for a range of positions.

CQID is one of the largest employers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the Central Queensland region. Offering a broad range of service areas, with roles that serve our community across Rockhampton, Bundaberg, Emerald, Gladstone, Hervey Bay, Longreach, Maryborough and Woorabinda.

A new organisational structure, designated HR team and the implementation of a new Workforce Strategy. Striving to support employees on their career journey is a priority and contributes us to being a Employer of Choice.

Purpose of the Position

The Youth Worker role as part of Central Queensland Indigenous Development Ltd (CQID) organisation supports the achievement of CQID’s strategic goals of best practice and innovative alignment with progressive reforms by effectively leading the professional practice within a specific portfolio of programs and services across the CQID service footprint.

The role provides therapeutic, trauma-informed care and support to children and young people who have experienced complex trauma, abuse and neglect and are under the Guardianship of the Department of child Safety and residing in Out – of Home Care (OOHC) placements. The Youth Worker is a vital part in empowering young people to heal, grow, and work towards a brighter future.

• supporting children with moderate to extreme support needs who are under child protection orders and unable to live with their families
• ensuring that each child feels safe, heard, and valued, while actively supporting their connection to family, culture and community
• engaging through compassion and culturally responsive approaches, to creating positive, meaningful experiences that lead to the best possible outcomes for every young person in our care.

Responsibilities and Duties

• Engage with child or young person to support their journey of hopes and aspirations in all aspects of life, both in the home and wider community
• Utilises observations and evaluation skills to contribute to the assessment of a child, young person needs
• Provide opportunities for children and young people to develop and learn life skills appropriate to age and ability
• Ensure routine tasks are completed to maintain residence and to meet physical needs of child – this includes daily household cleaning and cooking tasks
• Support planned contact and connectedness to family as approved by Child Safety and/or CQID CEO when Delegated Authority arrangement is in place.Support planned social, recreational, educational and health activities for children and young people in line with their individual care plan
• Work collaboratively with residential staff and others involved to plan, monitor and review care and ensure continuity and consistency of care
• Implement strategies identified in the care plan and participate in review of care plans to ensure children and young people have clear, relevant, and achievable goals
• Contribution to the provision of therapeutic milieu by modelling pro-social behaviour, providing a sense of safety, structure, acceptance, stability and security for children and young people always
• Ensure high quality participant records are maintained and compliant with statutory and regulatory obligations and CQID policies
• Provides access to information a manner, which respects the privacy and dignity of children, young people, and their families
• Work always to advance the reputation of CQID and undertake additional relevant duties as required
• Participate and contribute to the organisation’s compliance obligations under the ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System and Human Services Quality Standards (HSQS)
• At all the times work within CQID’s Workplace Health & Safety Policies and Procedures
• Other responsibilities as directed by the Manager and/or General Manager/s or Senior Executives.

Qualifications and Experience

To be successful in this role you will need to demonstrate capability in the following areas:

Essential

• Demonstrated ability to provide support and interventions for children and young people with complex and extreme needs, including a sound knowledge of the impact of trauma on children and young people in out of home care
• Demonstrated knowledge and ability to implement positive behaviour support strategies and trauma informed care in line with the Standards of Care
• Well-developed interpersonal, communication, and negotiation skills to work effectively with Child Safety Services, other staff, and other key stakeholders
• Knowledge and understanding of the Child Protection Act particularly in relation to working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people within the child protection system
• Understanding of confidentiality and maintaining the rights of children and young people subject to Child Protection Orders.

Desirable

• Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI)
• Relevant experience working with children and young people
• The ability to work a mixture of day, night and weekend shifts as required