- NFP Salary Packaging | Annual Wage Increases | Penalty Rates
-
Extra Annual Leave | Flexible Shifts
-
Ongoing Training & Professional Development | EAP & Debriefing
We are recruiting a small number of highly capable Residential Care Youth Workers to join a trauma-informed team in Wangaratta supporting young people with complex behaviours and significant trauma histories.
This is a high-intensity role suited to experienced professionals who are emotionally regulated, consistent, and confident maintaining boundaries in dynamic environments.
You will be working within structured residential homes where consistency, safety, and therapeutic intent underpin all aspects of care.
Junction Support Services provides DFFH‑funded Residential Care for young people with complex trauma backgrounds who are unable to live with their families. Our program offers safe, stable homes where young people are supported with dignity, consistency and trauma‑informed care. Click here to learn more about our program.
This role is not suited to entry-level applicants or those still developing confidence in complex residential care.
You will be supporting young people under guardianship of DFFH in a high support residential setting requiring:
-
Consistent, trauma-informed support delivery
-
Strong adherence to Behaviour Support Plans (BSPs) and care frameworks
-
Confidence managing behaviours including verbal aggression, escalation, and dysregulation
-
High situational awareness and proactive risk management
-
The ability to maintain stability in environments that may shift quickly
-
Regular exposure to complex behaviours requiring calm, non-reactive responses
-
Clear expectations around boundaries, consistency, and professional accountability
-
A structured, team-based environment where quality of care matters
-
Close collaboration with case managers, therapeutic teams, and leadership
-
A strong focus on regulation, routine, and relational practice
-
Delivering trauma-informed, child-centred care within a structured home environment
-
Supporting daily routines including cooking, household tasks, transport, and medication
-
Recognising early warning signs and responding using Behaviour Support Plans
-
Providing activity-based engagement to support regulation and connection
-
Completing case notes, incident reports, and documentation to DFFH standards
-
Working collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team
-
Remain calm, neutral, and regulated in high-pressure situations
-
Set and maintain clear, consistent boundaries
-
Do not get drawn into behaviours or emotional escalation
-
Understand trauma and behavioural drivers and respond intentionally
-
Are reliable, structured, and consistent in your approach
-
Take accountability for documentation, incidents, and standards
-
Work effectively within team-based care, including supported responses
-
Prefer low-demand or passive care environments
-
Struggle with confrontation, boundaries, or consistency
-
Take behaviours personally or react emotionally
-
Are still building confidence in high-risk or complex care settings
Our recruitment process is structured and selective:
-
Shortlisted candidates will attend a group interview
-
Successful applicants will progress to an individual interview
-
All compliance checks must be completed prior to offer
Successful candidates will complete:
-
2 days induction training
-
5 supported shadow shifts before independent work
-
Certificate IV in Child, Youth & Family Intervention (or equivalent – see our website for the full list) Please see below link for more information:
-
Experience working with young people or strong motivation to learn
-
Residential Out-of-Home Care Youth Work experience is highly desirable
-
Current Australian Driver’s Licence, Victorian Employee Working with Children Check and First Aid Certificate
-
Willingness to undergo a National Police Check (we’ll arrange this for you)
-
Commitment to ongoing training and trauma-informed practice
-
If you have lived outside of Australia for 12 months or more in the last 10 years, you will need to provide an International Police Check that has been processed in the last 3 months from any of the countries you have lived in.
https://fac.dffh.vic.gov.au/news/reminder-funded-organisations-residential-care-staff-qualifications-certificate-iv-child-youth
-
Applicants must complete the mandatory upskilling units as required by Department of Families, Fairness and Housing. Continuing employment is dependent on satisfactory evidence provided within 6 months of being engaged in the role. If you are not an Australian citizen, this may incur personal fees to complete.
-
Competitive SCHADS Award pay
-
Penalty rates for afternoon, night, and sleepover shifts
-
Salary packaging to increase your take-home pay
-
Ongoing learning: free internal training
-
Access to professional debriefing and our Employee Assistance Program
-
Annual wage increases aligned with Fair Work or CPI
We are intentionally seeking a small number of high-calibre professionals.
-
Only candidates who can demonstrate capability in managing complex behaviours, maintaining regulation under pressure, and delivering structured, trauma-informed care will be considered.
Junction Support Services is a child-safe organisation and an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to diversity and inclusion. We welcome applications from First Nations peoples, individuals with disability or lived experience of disability, and people of all cultural backgrounds, gender identities and sexual orientations. We value the unique perspectives and contributions that diversity brings to our workplace and the communities we serve.
