YDAS is a core YACVic agency, funded by the Victorian Government. At YDAS, we place the human rights and interests of disabled young people* at the centre of our work. YDAS undertakes individual and policy advocacy, working with disabled young people to ensure that their human rights are upheld so they can access services and participate as valued and respected members of their communities.
*In this document YDAS uses identity first language (disabled young people), as per the advice of the YDAS Steering Committee, which is comprised of disabled young people. However, we recognise that language and identity are personal choices, and that some people may prefer to use other terms including person first language (young people with disability).
Youth Affairs Council Victoria (YACVic) is the peak body and leading policy advocate on young people's issues in Victoria. Our vision is that the rights of young people in Victoria are respected, and they are active, visible and valued in their communities. For over 60 years, YACVic has advocated for the best interests of young people (aged 12-25 years) and the sector that works with them. YACVic provides additional targeted advocacy and services through our key services, YACVic Rural and the Youth Disability Advocacy Service (YDAS). YDAS is in the process of transitioning to independence in 2025.
The Transition Officer supports 40 disabled young people in their transition from school to post-school education, training and employment. For the purposes of the role, school-aged early leaver refers to young people up to age 20 who left school prior to completing year 12. Participants will primarily come from Merri-bek, Casey, Greater Dandenong, Greater Geelong and Ballarat local government areas.
This role draws on existing programming at YDAS to create a new workshop and wraparound support for participants that is accessible, inclusive, strengths based, and trauma informed. The workshop aims to help participants identify their strengths, post-school goals and barriers. The Transition Officer works with participants over a six-month period to connect with opportunities to build on their strengths, further goals and overcome barriers. Both online delivery and travel to the participants for in-person delivery is necessary to reduce barriers to access. The Officer plans and prepares for access and communication needs in advance as well as review and implement additional access needs on a case-by-case basis to ensure comfortable and equitable participation.
This role plays an important part in supporting disabled young people who have had challenging experiences of the education system. Participants will have a wide range of access needs and complex experiences of exclusion and marginalisation. Successful applicants will need to know how to encourage participants into alternative pathways to education, training and employment, and use warm referrals and other techniques that ensure motivation and confidence to continue engagement.
Design of the workshop and wraparound support will take place under the supervision of the YDAS Programs Manager and draw on the work done in our YDAS Young Leaders and Map Your Future programs. Access and inclusion principles will be based on our YDAS Together training and resources.
This is a position for a disabled person via the Special Measures of the Equal Opportunity Act 2010 (Vic).
YDAS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Disabled people, people from culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are encouraged to apply for this position. We are committed to promoting diversity and inclusion in our workplace.
YDAS promotes the safety, wellbeing and inclusion of all children and young people, including those with a disability, those who are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander or those from refugee or migrant backgrounds. We take child protection very seriously.
All employees are subject to screening and assessment against child safety standards, including rigorous background, identity and reference checks. The successful applicant will require a current Working with Children Check and a satisfactory National Police Check (costs reimbursed) and must agree to comply with YDAS’s Code of Conduct, Child Safe policy and procedures.
To be eligible to apply for this position you must be an Australian or New Zealand citizen, permanent resident or hold a valid work permit or visa.
If you have any questions about the role, please contact Simon Green (he/him) at 0447 678 653 or [email protected] using the subject line: YDAS Transitions Officer enquiry via EthicalJobs (phone call or text message preferred).
Please refer to the full Position Description attached.