The Les Twentyman Foundation (LTF) believes that every child and young person, regardless of economic circumstances, race or gender deserves an equal chance in life.
Working across Greater Melbourne, our dedicated team supports hundreds of kids aged between five and 25, who face multiple stresses holding them back from living a life that every child deserves, including poverty, mental health, unemployment, racism, addiction, domestic violence and crime.
Founded by legendary youth worker Les Twentyman OAM, we have a history of more than 30 years supporting at-risk youth.
Our work focuses on keeping children and young people engaged with their education, families and connected to the community, building hope and ensuring they do not end up homeless, living in poverty or engaged with the youth justice system.
ABOUT THE LES TWENTYMAN FOUNDATION
The Les Twentyman Foundation (LTF) believes that every child and young person, regardless of economic circumstances, race or gender deserves an equal opportunity in life.
Working across Greater Melbourne, our dedicated team supports hundreds of kids aged between five and 25, who face multiple stresses holding them back from living a life that every child deserves, including poverty, mental health, unemployment, racism, addiction, domestic violence and crime.
Founded by legendary youth worker Les Twentyman OAM, we have a history of more than 30 years supporting at-risk youth.
Our work focuses on keeping children and young people engaged with their education, families and connected to the community, building hope and ensuring they do not end up homeless, living in poverty or engaged with the youth justice system.
ABOUT THE POSITION/S
The In-School Outreach Support Worker primarily provides early intervention, outreach, and practical support to primary school-aged children and young adolescents facing barriers to learning, wellbeing, and positive development.
The role is child-centred and family-inclusive, working collaboratively with children, parents, carers, schools, and community services to improve engagement, strengthen protective factors, and support positive outcomes.
This position supports children experiencing social, emotional, behavioural, educational, or family-related challenges, including attendance concerns, school refusal, anxiety, trauma, family stress, social isolation, and other vulnerabilities that may affect participation in school and community life.
The role uses trauma-informed, strengths-based, culturally responsive,



and relationship-based practice to promote belonging, resilience, emotional regulation, and successful learning pathways.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Provide targeted early intervention support to primary school-aged children and their families.
Build trusting, respectful relationships with children that promote safety, wellbeing, and engagement.
Engage parents, carers, and families to strengthen their capacity to support their child's learning and development.
Undertake child and family case management, advocacy, support planning, referrals, and service coordination.
Deliver proactive outreach, including home visits, school-based support, and community engagement.
Support children experiencing school refusal, attendance concerns, behavioural difficulties, anxiety, family stress, trauma, or related challenges.
Identify emerging risks early and respond with practical strategies that prevent escalation.
Deliver individual and group programs focused on resilience, emotional regulation, social skills, wellbeing, and positive peer relationships.
Support transition from primary school to secondary school.
Work collaboratively with schools, wellbeing teams, families, and external services to develop coordinated support plans.
Maintain accurate records, case notes, reports, and data in line with organisational and legislative requirements.
Contribute to program development, evaluation, continuous improvement, and community engagement activities.
KEY SELECTION CRITERIA
Essential
Demonstrated experience working with primary school-aged children and their families.
Experience providing early intervention, outreach, case management, and family support.
Experience supporting children experiencing disengagement, school refusal, attendance concerns, behavioural challenges, anxiety, family stress, trauma, or other vulnerabilities.
Ability to engage hard-to-reach children and families through outreach and relationship-based practice.
Strong understanding of child development and factors influencing educational engagement and wellbeing.
Ability to build rapport and maintain effective relationships with children, families, schools,



and community services from diverse backgrounds.
Experience working collaboratively within schools and multidisciplinary teams.
Sound knowledge of trauma-informed, strengths-based, child-centred, culturally responsive, and family-inclusive practice.
Excellent communication, advocacy, engagement, and relationship‐building skills.
Ability to manage competing priorities while maintaining professional boundaries, confidentiality, and accurate documentation.
Understanding of the importance of early intervention in preventing future disengagement and other adverse outcomes.
Qualifications and checks
Certificate IV in Community Services, Youth Work, Child, Youth and Family Intervention, Early Childhood Education, Social Work, or a related discipline.
Current Victorian Working with Children Check (Employee).
Current National Police Check.
Current Victorian Driver's Licence.
Current First Aid and CPR certification.
Demonstrated understanding of child safety, mandatory reporting obligations, the Reportable Conduct Scheme, and Victorian Child Safe Standards.
Youth Mental Health First Aid accreditation.
Desirable
Bachelor degree in Social Work, Youth Work, Community Development, Education, Psychology, Welfare Studies, Child and Family Studies, or a related discipline.
Training in trauma-informed practice, restorative practice, behaviour support, conflict resolution, family violence, child protection, parenting support, or cultural competency.
Experience working in school wellbeing, education, family support, youth work, or community service settings.
Experience delivering social and emotional learning, resilience, wellbeing, or transition programs.
Knowledge of local community support services and referral pathways.
Experience supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families and culturally and linguistically diverse communities.
Experience conducting outreach and home visits with vulnerable children and families.
CHILD SAFETY AND INCLUSION
The Les Twentyman Foundation is committed to the safety, participation, and empowerment of all children and young people.
We are a Child Safe Organisation with zero tolerance for child abuse.
The organisation is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, culturally and linguistically diverse communities, people with disability, and people of all backgrounds and identities.
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📌 In-School Youth Worker – South West (Melbourne)
🏢 Les Twentyman Foundation
📍 Melbourne