Youth Worker

About Yalga Connect

At Yalga Connect, we’re walking alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people to create brighter futures. As a proud First Nations-led organisation, we believe every child deserves to grow up feeling safe, connected, valued, and empowered to thrive.

As a First Nations owned and led organisation, we’re reimagining Out of Home Care through culturally safe, therapeutic and child-centred practice. Our young people are at the heart of every decision we make, and we’re looking for passionate people who want to walk alongside them as they heal, grow and thrive.

Everything we do is guided by the Child Safe Standards, ensuring children’s rights, voices, safety, and wellbeing remain at the centre of every decision we make. We are committed to creating environments where children feel heard, respected, protected, and empowered.

We are also guided by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principle, embedding the principles of Prevention, Partnership, Placement, Participation, and Connection into our everyday practice. These guiding principles shape how we work with children, families, communities, Elders, and stakeholders to ensure culture is not an afterthought, it is at the forefront of every child’s journey.

Why Yalga Connect?

At Yalga Connect, you’re not just another employee; you become part of a team that’s passionate about changing lives, making a difference and influencing a culturally safe and supportive sector.

Here’s what makes us different:

🤎 First Nations owned and led, with culture embedded in everything we do.

🤎 Young People come first, always. Every decision is guided by what’s best for the young person.

🤎 Therapeutic and relationship-based approach to care.

🤎 A supportive leadership team that invests in your learning, wellbeing and development.

🤎 Opportunities to grow your career in an organisation that’s expanding and innovating.

🤎 No two shifts are ever the same; you’ll laugh, learn, problem-solve and celebrate the wins that truly matter.

About The Role

The ideal person for this role would be flexible, adaptable, and open to learning. You will have the ability and skills to work with young people who display highly complex and challenging behaviours. You will need to connect with the young person and have resilience and strong professional boundaries. You’ll become a consistent, trusted adult in the life of a young person who has experienced trauma, loss and adversity.

Every day is different, but your role may include:

• Creating a safe, welcoming and nurturing home environment.
• Building meaningful relationships through trust, consistency and connection.
• Supporting young people to attend school, appointments and community activities.
• Teaching practical life skills like cooking, budgeting, cleaning and independence.
• Encouraging cultural identity, family connections and community participation.
• Supporting young people through challenges using therapeutic and trauma-informed approaches.
• Celebrating milestones – big and small.
• Completing case notes and documentation that tells the young person’s story with dignity and professionalism.

Some days you’ll be helping with homework.

Some days you’ll be fishing, kicking a footy or cooking dinner together.

Some days you’ll simply sit quietly beside a young person who needs someone to stay.

Those moments matter.

Who We Are Looking For

We’re looking for people with heart. People who are resilient without becoming hardened. People who can stay calm during the hard moments and celebrate the little victories. You don’t need to have all the answers; but you do need to be willing to learn.

You’ll thrive in this role if you are:

• Compassionate, patient and authentic.
• Able to build strong, professional relationships with young people.
• Calm under pressure and able to respond to challenging behaviours therapeutically.
• Flexible, adaptable and solutions-focused.
• Committed to providing culturally safe, child-focused care.
• A great communicator and team player.
• Passionate about making a lasting difference.
• Have availability to suit a variety of shifts including:
• Day shifts (AM & PM)
• Sleepovers
• Awake night shifts
• Weekend work

Desired Skills and Abilities

• Exceptional communication and conflict resolution skills.
• Demonstrate high levels of resilience, patience and unconditional positive regard whilst confidently working with challenging behaviours. 
• Ability to work under pressure and deliver results and maintain a level of grit and resilience to overcome challenges that are confronting.
• Have sound knowledge or the ability to rapidly acquire knowledge of child protection including relevant legislation.

Essential Requirements

You’ll need:

• Queensland Working with Children Check (Blue Card)
• Current Full Australian Driver Licence (Minimum P2 Licence)
• Certificate IV (or higher) in Child, Youth & Family Intervention (or equivalent), or willingness to work towards.
• Ability to travel within Queensland where required to support cultural activities.
• Completion of Hope and Healing Framework training
• The ability to provide two recent referees of supervisors
• Availability to work – day, evening and weekend shifts, including sleepovers or awake shifts is essential for current needs. Availability to work 4 out of 7 days a week.

We strongly encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants to apply. Lived experience, cultural knowledge and community connection are highly valued.

Ready to Make a Difference?

If you’re looking for meaningful work where you can genuinely change lives and be supported by a team who cares just as much as you do, every shift has purpose, every relationship matters, and every young person is seen for who they are, not just what they’ve been through – we would love to yarn with you!

📧 Apply today via the ‘Apply Now’ button. Please upload your resume and a brief cover letter describing your experience, values and your ‘why’ behind wanting to be a Youth Worker.

Applications will be assessed as they are received, and we may appoint before the closing date.

If you would like further information before applying, please contact hr@yalgaconnect.com.au.