The Opportunity:  

• Provide specialized support to vulnerable young women and their young families.

• Generous salary packaging benefits, with 5.5 weeks of annual leave per annum. 

• Live our values of Respect, Optimism, Accountability, and Resilience.

We support young people and their children who are at risk and experiencing homelessness, to secure and maintain housing, address physical and mental health challenges, establish successful relationships and support networks, and access pathways to education and employment. Find out more at Brisbane Youth Service. 

Are you seeking a role with a values-driven for purpose organisation where you can support young people in our community? Are you passionate about supporting vulnerable young women and their families? Use your expertise to support vulnerable parents and their infants, to build their parenting skills, improve relationships and support safety.

This full-time Senior Practitioner position supports our mission by providing support to pregnant and/or parenting young women, aged 16- 25 years, and their babies, aged 0-3 years, who have experienced unstable housing, been impacted by domestic and family violence (DFV) and at risk of statutory intervention from Department of Child Safety, Seniors and Disability Services (DCSSDS).

You’ll be a great candidate for this role if you:

• Hold a tertiary qualification in Social Work, Psychology, Social Sciences or comparable qualification OR substantial demonstrated experience in a related field
• Have specialist knowledge and experience working with young parents and their children affected by domestic and family violence, at risk of homelessness and DCSSDS intervention.
• Have demonstrated ability to undertake comprehensive strengths-based case planning of a young family’s situation and support needs, including report writing, reviewing support plans, risk assessments and safety planning.
• Have a demonstrated understanding of infant needs, including attachment, developmental and basic care needs.
• Have experience developing collaborative relationships with internal and external support providers, including knowledge of the DCSSDS and DFV service system, and associated legislation.
• Have the ability to work with minimal supervision, exercising an informed level of initiative, judgement and decision making, while sharing knowledge and building skills within the team.

Given the work that we do there will be a few non-negotiables. You’ll need to be able to have, or obtain prior to commencement:

• Working with Children Suitability Card [Blue Card].
• National Police Check clearance.
• Evidence of vaccination, immunity, or medical exemption for the following preventable diseases - Measles, Mumps, Rubella and Varicella [Chicken Pox]; Pertussis [Whooping Cough]; Hepatitis B and COVID-19.

It is a genuine requirement of this position to be filled by a woman as permitted in sections 25, 104 and 105 of the Anti-Discrimination Act, 1991.

Our people enjoy benefits including salary packaging, flexible working arrangements, and additional annual leave per year (depending on your role).

We value the unique backgrounds, experiences and contributions that each person brings to our community and encourage and celebrate diversity. So, even if you don’t think you quite meet all of the skills listed or tick all the boxes, we’d still love to hear from you!

If this sounds interesting, submit your cover letter telling us why you are the right person for this role, along with your resume. If you would like to discuss this position further, please contact BYS directly on 3620 2400 or via [email protected] using the subject line: Safe Young Mums and Bubs Senior Practitioner enquiry via EthicalJobs.

The Safe Young Mums and Bubs Senior Practitioner position is the first of many for our new Safe Young Mums & Bubs program, which will begin in January 2025. Upcoming vacancies include Family Workers and Senior Family Workers, both of which will involve shift work to cover the 24/7 roster. If you are interested in being a part of the Safe Young Mums & Bubs Program, we encourage you to reach out to [email protected] expressing your interest & we will be in touch regarding any relevant upcoming vacancies.

We may start interviewing for this role prior to the closing date, so don’t delay your application.