KSC 1 ¿ Youth work knowledge and practice
Demonstrated knowledge and experience in contemporary youth work practice, including the provision of individual and group support to young people experiencing social, emotional, behavioural, attendance or engagement difficulties.
KSC 2 ¿ Student engagement and intervention
Demonstrated ability to build positive and trusting relationships with young people and to develop and implement appropriate interventions that promote student wellbeing, engagement, attendance and connection to education.
KSC 3 ¿ Case management and collaboration
Demonstrated ability to undertake effective case management, including identifying student needs, developing and monitoring support strategies, maintaining appropriate records and working collaboratively with families, school staff and external services.
KSC 4 ¿ Communication and relationships
Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills, including the capacity to work effectively with young people with complex needs, families, school staff, community organisations and multidisciplinary professionals.
KSC 5 ¿ Professional practice
Demonstrated understanding of professional boundaries, confidentiality, child safety, duty of care and appropriate risk management when working with children and young people in a school environment.
The Youth Worker will work as a member of the Bayswater Secondary College Wellbeing Team to support the wellbeing, engagement, attendance and educational participation of students, with a particular focus on young people experiencing barriers to successful engagement with school.
Working collaboratively with the College's wellbeing, inclusion, student management and leadership teams, the Youth Worker will provide individual and group-based support to students, contribute to case management and intervention planning, and assist young people to access appropriate school, community and external supports.
The Youth Worker will build positive, respectful and trusting relationships with young people and use strengths-based, trauma-informed and developmentally appropriate approaches to support students experiencing social, emotional, behavioural, family or other challenges that may impact their engagement with education.
The role will involve working directly with students to identify needs, establish goals and develop practical strategies that strengthen their connection to school, improve engagement and attendance, build resilience and life skills, and support positive educational and wellbeing outcomes.
The Youth Worker will work within established professional boundaries and school policies and procedures and will contribute to a safe, inclusive and supportive school environment in which students are known, valued and supported to succeed.
Applicants must hold a recognised qualification in Youth Work. Relevant experience working with adolescents, particularly within a school, community or youth services setting, is highly desirable.
Responsibilities
The Youth Worker will:
- Develop positive, respectful and trusting relationships with students, particularly those experiencing barriers to engagement, attendance or participation in education.
- Provide individual, practical and strengths-based support to students experiencing social, emotional, behavioural, family, financial or other challenges impacting their wellbeing and engagement with school.
- Consult with students to identify needs, establish appropriate goals and develop and monitor individual action and support plans.
- Work with students experiencing disengagement or school refusal to strengthen their connection with school and support their successful participation in education.
- Provide targeted outreach and engagement support where appropriate to assist students to reconnect with education.
- Support students to develop skills in areas including emotional regulation, relationships, communication, problem solving, help-seeking, resilience and positive decision-making.
- Work collaboratively with members of the Wellbeing Team, Inclusion Team, Student Management Team, classroom teachers and College leadership to identify and respond to student needs.
- Contribute to student case management, including participation in Student Support Group, care team and other relevant meetings.
- Liaise appropriately with parents and carers to develop shared understanding of student needs and strengthen positive partnerships between home and school.
- Identify and facilitate referrals to appropriate internal and external services and support students and families to engage with these services where required.
- Establish and maintain productive relationships with relevant community organisations, youth services, health and wellbeing providers and other external agencies.
- Assist students and families to access practical supports where appropriate, including food, uniform, material assistance, housing and other community-based supports.
- Work collaboratively with wellbeing and other relevant staff to develop and facilitate targeted individual and small-group interventions in response to identified student needs.
- Contribute to programs and initiatives that promote student wellbeing, belonging, inclusion, connectedness and positive relationships across the College.
- Provide advice and consultation to staff regarding appropriate strategies for supporting the engagement and wellbeing needs of individual students, within the scope of the Youth Worker role.
- Contribute to building staff understanding of youth wellbeing, engagement and the barriers that may affect a young person's participation in education.
- Apply trauma-informed, strengths-based and restorative approaches when working with young people.
- Work inclusively and respectfully with students from diverse cultural, social and family backgrounds and with students of diverse identities and abilities.
- Maintain accurate, timely and confidential records, case notes, referrals and other documentation in accordance with College and Department requirements.
- Monitor and evaluate the progress of students receiving youth work support and communicate relevant information to appropriate staff and professionals.
- Identify and appropriately escalate concerns relating to student safety, wellbeing, child protection or risk in accordance with Department and College policies and procedures.
- Maintain appropriate professional boundaries, confidentiality and ethical standards in all interactions with students and families.
- Participate as an active member of the College Wellbeing Team and contribute to wellbeing planning, case discussion and continuous improvement.
- Participate, where appropriate, in broader College activities that support student connection and engagement, including camps, transition activities, lunchtime programs, family events and other school activities.
- Undertake other duties appropriate to the classification and scope of the position as directed by the Principal or delegate.
Professional Expectations
The Youth Worker will be expected to:
- demonstrate a strong commitment to child safety and the wellbeing of all students;
- maintain appropriate professional boundaries and confidentiality;
- work collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary school team;
- demonstrate sound professional judgement and recognise when matters require referral or escalation;
- communicate effectively and respectfully with students, families, colleagues and external professionals;
- demonstrate an understanding of the developmental, social and emotional needs of adolescents;
- use inclusive, trauma-informed, strengths-based and culturally responsive approaches to working with young people; and
- contribute positively to the values, culture and strategic priorities of Bayswater Secondary College.
Applicants must hold a recognised qualification in Youth Work. Relevant experience working with adolescents, particularly within a school, community or youth services setting, is highly desirable.
Applicants must be legally entitled to work in Australia.
The department is committed to diversity and inclusion and developing a workforce that is representative of the community we service. We value diversity and inclusion in all forms - culture, gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQA+, disability and neurodiversity. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for roles within the Department. The Department recognises that the provision of safe, respectful and inclusive workplaces is essential to high performance and promotes flexible work and diversity across all schools and Department workplaces. It is our policy to provide reasonable adjustments for staff with disability (see Workplace adjustment guidelines).
Additional support and advice on the recruitment process is available to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander candidates from the Koorie Outcomes Division (KOD) via [email protected]
Applicants seeking part-time employment are encouraged to apply for any teaching service position and, if they are the successful candidate, request a reduced time fraction. Such requests will be negotiated on a case-by-case basis and will be subject to the operational requirements of the school.
Victorian government schools are child safe environments. Our schools actively promote the safety and wellbeing of all students, and all school staff are committed to protecting students from abuse or harm in the school environment, in accordance with their legal obligations including child safe standards. All schools have a Child Safety Code of Conduct consistent with the department's exemplar available at:
https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/child-safe-standards/policy
The department's employees commit to upholding the department's Values: Responsiveness, Integrity, Impartiality, Accountability, Respect, Leadership and Human Rights. The department's Values complement each school's own values and underpin the behaviours the community expects of Victorian public sector employees, including those who work in Victorian Government Schools. Information on the department values is available at:
https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/values-department-vps-school-employees/overview
- All staff employed by the Department and schools have access to a broad range of employment conditions and working arrangements.
- Appointment of the successful applicant will be subject to satisfactory pre-employment checks.
- A probationary period may apply during the first year of employment, with induction and support programs provided.
- The successful applicant will be required to comply with all relevant Department of Education policies, procedures and legislative requirements, including those relating to child safety and the Code of Conduct for Victorian Public Sector Employees.
Founded in 1961, Bayswater Secondary College is a growing secondary school located in the City of Knox in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne, approximately 34 kilometres from the Melbourne Central Business District. As a local school with a strong community focus, we value our partnerships with students, families, feeder primary schools and the wider community, including tertiary providers. These relationships are central to the opportunities we are able to provide for our students, both within and beyond the classroom.
Our vision is to create a learning community where every student is known, supported and challenged to achieve their personal best. This is underpinned by our College values of Honesty, Excellence, Acceptance, Respect and Teamwork, which sit at the HEART of everything we do. These values guide our work and shape a culture that is inclusive, aspirational and grounded in strong relationships. We are committed to providing a safe, orderly and supportive environment where all members of our community have the right to learn and work, and where positive behaviours are built through consistency, clarity and connection.
Bayswater Secondary College has an enrolment of approximately 300 students, with steady growth projected to reach around 340 students by 2027. The College has a built capacity of 500 students, positioning us well to continue to grow in a sustainable and strategic way. Our staffing profile includes a Principal, two Assistant Principals, Leading Teachers and Learning Specialists, supported by a dedicated team of 28 FTE teachers and 15 FTE Education Support staff. Together, this team works collaboratively to deliver high-quality teaching, targeted support and a strong focus on student wellbeing.
Our organisational structure is designed to ensure that every student is known and supported. Students are supported through Junior (Years 7¿9) and Senior (Years 10¿12) sub-schools, with clear pathways of support that include Home Group teachers, Sub-School Coordinators, Sub-School Leaders and Assistant Principals. This is complemented by a comprehensive wellbeing team, including specialised staff and access to external services, ensuring that student engagement and wellbeing remain a central priority.
Our student cohort is diverse and reflective of the broader community we serve. We take pride in being an inclusive school that celebrates the strengths, backgrounds and aspirations of all students. Our approach is to provide a broad range of learning opportunities that cater to different interests, abilities and pathways, ensuring that all students can find success in a way that is meaningful to them.
The College offers a comprehensive and structured curriculum aligned with the Victorian Curriculum, VCE and VCE Vocational Major pathways. Elective programs are offered at each year level, allowing for a high degree of choice and flexibility. These programs are designed responsively, with offerings shaped around the interests, strengths and needs of each cohort, ensuring that learning remains relevant, engaging and personalised. In addition, students have access to accelerated learning opportunities, an Instrumental Music program from Years 7¿12, and a wide range of Vocational Education and Training (VET) and School-Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships (SBAT) options in the senior years.
Bayswater Secondary College is a key partner in the Bayswater Education Plan, working closely with local primary schools and networks to strengthen educational outcomes across the community. This collaborative approach supports smoother transitions for students and ensures a shared commitment to continuous improvement.
Significant investment in the College has also enhanced the learning environment, with the completion of major redevelopment works delivering modern, high-quality facilities that support contemporary teaching and learning practices. These improvements have strengthened our capacity to provide engaging, future-focused learning environments for all students.
Bayswater Secondary College continues to grow as a school of choice within the local area. Our focus remains on delivering high-quality teaching, strong wellbeing support and meaningful opportunities for every student, ensuring that each young person is equipped to succeed not only during their time at the College, but well beyond it.
Vision
To provide high quality learning experiences and pathways that enable all students to achieve excellence.
College Values
H.E.A.R.T: Honesty, Excellence, Acceptance, Respect and Teamwork
Honesty: Being honest with ourselves, and one another in everything we do
Excellence: Striving for excellence and our personal best at all times by always giving our best effort
Acceptance: Accepting one another for who we are, and recognizing that our differences are what make us unique and interesting, and ensuring we treat ourselves, and one another with kindness.
Respect: For ourselves, one another and our surroundings
Teamwork: Working together and supporting one another helps us strive for excellence and achieve successful outcomes
