Therapeutic Youth Workers

Therapeutic Youth Workers – Multiple Opportunities (Metro Sydney)

Make a real difference in the lives of vulnerable young people. Join a team that cares, advocates, and empowers.

About MacKillop

MacKillop Family Services is a leading child, youth, and family services organisation committed to Justice, Hope, Collaboration, Compassion, and Respect. Guided by the Sanctuary Model, we provide safe, nurturing, and trauma‑informed environments where young people experiencing homelessness, or at risk of homelessness can heal, learn, and grow.

The Opportunity

We are undertaking a collaborative recruitment drive for Therapeutic Youth Workers across three Metro Sydney programs:

• Homeless Youth Assistance Program (HYAP) – supporting 12–15-year-olds who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
• Specialist Homelessness Service (SHS) – supporting 16–24-year-olds who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
• A Place to Go (APTG) – supporting 10–17-year-olds who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, including young people with Youth Justice involvement.

As a Therapeutic Youth Worker, you will provide high‑quality, trauma‑informed care and support. You’ll create a safe, stable, home‑like environment, build strong therapeutic relationships, and help young people develop life skills, reconnect with education and community, and achieve their goals.

What You’ll Do

• Deliver trauma‑informed accommodation and support that promotes safety, healing, and positive outcomes.
• Model and reinforce positive behaviours, emotional regulation, and social responsibility.
• Support young people to build independent living skills and engage in education, training, employment, and community activities.
• Collaborate with caseworkers, families, and partner agencies to implement individual strategies and case plans.
• Promote cultural safety and inclusion, responsive to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people and CALD communities.
• Participate in team meetings, case reviews, and psycho‑educational group programs.
• Undertake rostered shifts, including sleepovers, weekends, and public holidays, and contribute to household tasks.

What We’re Looking For

• Qualifications in Youth Work or a related field (or equivalent experience).
• Strong understanding of trauma and attachment, with demonstrated application of therapeutic care practices.
• Experience working with young people with complex social, emotional, and behavioural needs in residential care, youth services, or supported accommodation.
• Knowledge of youth homelessness and Youth Justice issues, and the systemic challenges faced by vulnerable young people.
• Cultural competence and the ability to provide inclusive, respectful support to diverse communities.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to build rapport while maintaining professional boundaries.
• Digital and written literacy, including proficiency in Microsoft Office and accurate record‑keeping.

Must Haves

At MacKillop, our practice is guided by the Sanctuary Model and our values of Justice, Hope, Collaboration, Compassion, and Respect. To provide safe, nurturing, and trauma‑informed care, you must have (or be willing to obtain) and be willing to:

• Hold a valid and current Driver’s License.
• Hold a valid NSW Working with Children Check.
• Hold a valid and current NDIS Worker Screening Check.
• Hold a satisfactory National Criminal History Check.
• Qualifications in Youth Work or a related field (or equivalent experience).
• Provide high‑quality, trauma‑informed therapeutic support that promotes safety, healing, and hopeful futures for young people.
• Undertake rostered shift work, including sleepovers, weekend, and public holiday shifts, contributing to a stable, predictable, and caring home‑like environment.

We are a child‑safe organisation. If you do not currently hold one or more of these checks, we will support you to obtain them prior to commencement. We are committed to cultural humility and expect all staff to practice inclusively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people and CALD communities.

Why Join MacKillop?

• Promote Safety and Healing – Make a genuine impact by supporting young people and their families to transform their lives.
• Live Our Values – Be part of an organisation built on Justice, Hope, Collaboration, Compassion, and Respect.
• Supportive, Trauma‑Informed Environment – Work within a team that values your growth, wellbeing, and reflective practice.
• Career Development and Growth – Access ongoing learning, study leave, mentoring, and succession planning.
• Specialised Training – Industry‑leading programs funded by MacKillop, including Sanctuary Model, Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI), Power2Kids, and Cultural Awareness training.
• Competitive Pay and Benefits – Hourly rate based on SCHADS Award Level 3.1–3.4, dependent on qualifications and experience.
• Generous Salary Packaging – Maximise your take‑home pay with up to $18,550 tax‑free per year.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – Free, confidential support including counselling, coaching, financial advice, and health guidance.

Apply Now

If you’re passionate about empowering young people and creating positive change, we’d love to hear from you.

For enquiries, please contact: 

Brittni Davies

E: Brittni.Davies@mackillop.org.au

M: 0409 455 276 

Our Commitment:

MacKillop celebrates and draws strength from diversity and respects the dignity of all people. Every person at MacKillop has the right to be safe and to be treated justly. We value every person’s ability, cultural or linguistic backgrounds, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, intersex status, relationship status, religious or spiritual beliefs, socio-economic status, and age.

It is our goal that MacKillop Family Services continues to evolve as a culturally safe, culturally competent, and welcoming organisation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, young people, families, and communities.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.