Youth Care Practitioner - Skipton Street

Help create a safe, stable and nurturing home where young people can build connections, confidence and brighter futures.

Employment type: Part Time Permanent - 67.5 hours per fortnight
Classification: RSW2.1 - RSW2.4
Salary: $71,729 to $78,269 (pro rata) + penalty rates + superannuation
Salary packaging options: Up to $15,900 plus meals and entertainment perks
Location: Skipton Street, Ballarat, VIC
Above award entitlements: Including 3 days paid Christmas Leave annually

This role operates across a 24/7 roster and may include day, evening, overnight, weekend and public holiday shifts.
Shift examples:
Mornings: 8am - 4pm
Afternoon: 3:45pm - 11:15pm
Stand-up shift: 11pm - 9am

Our Values

At Cafs, our work is guided by the values of:
Respect | Integrity | Collaboration | Kindness | Innovation

About the Program

The Youth Care Program provides therapeutic residential care in Ballarat for children and young people aged 7 to 17 who cannot live with their birth families and have been placed into care by Child Protection. Our homes operate under a four-bed therapeutic model, providing care 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, supported by qualified practitioners.

About the Role

As a Youth Care Practitioner at our Skipton Street home, you will create a supportive, safe and stable home-like environment where young people can develop healthy and connected relationships through consistent, therapeutic care.

You will support young people with daily routines, education, community participation and life skills while preparing them for transition back home, into kinship or foster care, or towards independent living. This role requires a calm, flexible and collaborative approach, with child safety at the forefront of every interaction and decision.

Key Responsibilities





- Provide trauma-informed care aligned with the TBRI model and each young person's Looking After Children, behavioural support and other care plans.
- Complete daily care routines, including medication administration, activity and meal planning, and household duties such as cleaning, laundry and grocery shopping.
- Maintain accurate daily notes, case notes, reports, medication records and other required documentation.
- Transport and supervise young people at school, appointments, shopping, outings, camps and family visits across Victoria as required.
- Supervise family contact, visits and changeovers, and contribute to Total Care Package work when required.
- Work professionally with families, case managers, counsellors, health workers, agencies and community members to support positive outcomes.
- Support young people to engage in school, employment or appropriate day programs that meet their individual needs.
- Meet residential care compliance requirements, including fire checks, evacuation drills and maintaining required certificates and qualifications.
- Keep child safety at the forefront of practice, report concerns promptly and comply with relevant OHS requirements and Cafs standards.
- Participate constructively in supervision, staff meetings and house meetings, and follow the guidance of the House Leader and Senior Practitioners.

Why Join Cafs?

At Cafs,



you'll join a supportive and inclusive organisation where your contribution genuinely matters.

- Salary packaging benefits
- Professional development and career progression opportunities
- Regular supervision and leadership support
- A supportive, collaborative and values-based culture
- An organisation committed to child safety, inclusion, diversity and eliminating family violence
- The opportunity to provide consistent therapeutic care and make a meaningful difference in the lives of young people
- Above-award benefits, including 3 days paid Christmas Leave annually

How to Apply

If you are committed to supporting young people and can provide safe, consistent and trauma-informed care within a residential setting, we'd love to hear from you.

APPLY NOW!

To find out more about this opportunity, please refer to the attached position description when applying. For a confidential discussion about the role, please contact Michael Cameron at ***************@cafs.org.au or on 03 5337 3***.

Applications close 11th November 2026. Please note that applications may be reviewed as they are received, and applicants may be contacted for interview prior to the closing date. All applicants must be eligible to work in Australia. Employment will be subject to satisfactory Police, Victorian Working with Children and Victorian Carer Register checks, a current Victorian Driver Licence, and current First Aid and CPR certificates.

Our Commitment

Inclusion and diversity are at the heart of everything we do at Cafs. We welcome applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disability, members of the LGBTIQA+ community and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

"To work with people to enable healing, hope and meaningful impact across all generations."

📌 Youth Care Practitioner - Skipton (Ballarat)
🏢 Cafs
📍 Ballarat