Youth Worker

The position of a Youth Worker works within a team to enhance the safe care, support and supervision of residents within the Bimberi Youth Justice Centre. They actively contribute to case planning for young people and provide advice and guidance to residents to improve their living skills, development and social interactions They also implement effective behaviour management, conflict resolution and harm minimisation strategies.

Key components of the role include:

• Engage residents in case plans relating to their individual needs, goals and strategies
• Liaise with families, carers, government and community agencies involved in a case management process
• Deliver a high standard of care to all residents through personal professionalism, respect and courtesy
• Encourage and support residents to participate in a range of program activities relating to rehabilitation and positive re-integration into the community
• Maintain high quality, accurate, timely record keeping practices in line with relevant legislation
• Engage and liaise with a range of internal and external stakeholders including community agencies, government services, legal representatives, courts and tribunals
• Provide leadership in collaborative practice with children, young people, their families, carers, government and non-government agencies to facilitate improved outcomes
• Participate in training and development programs to enable own and other’s professional development

The Person

Great Youth Workers can come from a wide range of different backgrounds, with skills and experiences in many different fields.

All Bimberi staff complete an extensive 7-week paid induction period plus ongoing training, development and support. This teaches Youth Workers the specifics required in their role and prepares them for unique circumstances at Bimberi.

Therefore, even if you do not have prior experience or training in Youth Work, what is important to have is a passion for working with young people who may be going through a difficult time in their life. To be a supportive, confident and positive role model and to be able to assist young people in building confidence and resilience so they can make positive choices for their future.

The following personal qualities are key:

• Resilience: Perseveres to achieve goals, even in the face of obstacles. Copes effectively with setbacks and disappointments. Remains calm and in control under pressure. 
• Integrity: Inspires trust through treating all individuals fairly. Has a positive work ethic.
• Flexibility: Adaptable and open to new ideas and accepts changing priorities without undue discomfort. Displays enthusiasm and initiative.
• Teamwork: Collaborates and shares information. Shows consideration, concern and respect for other’s feelings and ideas. Accommodates and works well with the different working styles of others. Encourages resolution of conflict within a group.
• Relationship Building: Promotes harmony and consensus through diplomatic handling of disagreements. Builds trust through consistent actions, values and communications.
• Effective Leadership: Models behaviours integral to Directorate values, inspires people, is optimistic, supports and facilitates colleagues, has excellent judgment, has confidence and high-level communication

People who have a strong understanding of the issues that could be associated with a young person in custody, such as childhood trauma or a history of drugs and alcohol, and really enjoy working with young people are great candidates for Youth Workers.

For more information on the role of a Youth Worker,
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