Youth Worker

About the role

Hester Hornbrook Academy, a multi-campus Special Assistance School for young people aged 15-25, is hiring Youth Workers for its new Geelong campus and Melbourne campus. Youth Workers work within a multidisciplinary hub to support student wellbeing and educational outcomes, with a visible presence across the hub and campus including a classroom role. The role reports to the Wellbeing and Learning Team Leader.

Key responsibilities

• Create and advocate for students' wellbeing and learning by co-designing a safe, respectful and engaging learning environment, face-to-face and virtually.
• Provide flexible, evidence-based wellbeing support on campus and through outreach, and refer students to internal and external specialist services.
• Maintain relationships with students, families and carers, and work with the student care team.
• Facilitate regular formal supervision and reflective practice for identified staff, and support wellbeing leadership opportunities.
• Take part in school life: timetabled duties, camps and excursions, meetings, performance reviews, professional learning and the Hester Hornbrook Strategic Plan and Annual Implementation Plans.
• Help with curriculum and class projects, including the Health and Wellbeing curriculum, and assist in onboarding new students, including Individual Education Plans and Focus Plans.
• Maintain accurate records on the Sentral SMS and support students transitioning to employment or further education.

Required profile

• Qualification in Youth Work, Social Work, Community Services or a related discipline.
• Experience working with young people, including those who identify as LGBTQI+, from diverse cultural backgrounds and with barriers to education, in a trauma-informed setting.
• Understanding of trauma-informed practice, restorative justice and relevant legislation such as the Child Safe Standards.
• Ability to work flexibly in an outreach capacity and manage competing demands in a secondary school setting.

Required skills

• Detailed understanding of NCCD guidelines and competencies for documenting student support.
• Knowledge of the HOPE (Healing Orientated Program of Education) approach.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team.

Screening criteria include identity check, national police check, Victorian Working with Children Check, Victorian driver's licence and right to work in Australia. Applications close 16 November 2026 and must include a one-page cover letter, responses to the selection criteria, resume and copies of qualifications and the Working with Children's Check.