Youth Mentor - Leonora

Youth Mentor

• Fixed term 12 months, full time 76 hours per fortnight located in Leonora.
• Competitive Salary: $47.50 p/hr + $2.78 p/hr regional allowance
• Salary sacrifice benefits

HOPE has been a community service in Western Australia for over a century, providing much needed support to people affected by alcohol and other drugs, mental ill-health, youth justice issues and socioeconomic disadvantage. 

We have an exciting opportunity for a Youth Support Mentor to join the Youth Justice team! The position is full time, Monday to Friday, hours between 8-5pm

NOTE this role is not part of the NDIS/Aged Care/Disability sector. This is a Community Services sector role.

About the Opportunity 

This role is part of the Northern Goldfield Youth Connection Project from the Stephen Michael Foundation (SMF). The project is aimed at young people between the ages of 11 and 18 and is focussed on improving young people’s  education engagement, employment capacity and reducing anti-social behaviour.  It is anticipated that the project will reach more than 150 young people through the delivery of a suite of programs and activities across the region.

Positive relationships in key areas of the Norther Goldfields region have been established by past engagement from the SMF and includes local young people, community members, service providers and government agencies. Young people will be identified and invited to participate in program activities from a combination of referrals from local schools, service providers, government agencies (such as local police and local shires), locally based Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations, local elders, and community members. Activities delivered as part of this role and project will require to be inclusive and accessible to all young people residing in the region regardless of cultural background, gender, or ability.

Requirements of the Role: 

• Meet with the young person to build a relationship based on trust; to discuss problems, and plan and facilitate programs focused on the specific needs of the young person
• Provide information about services and resources; refer young people to appropriate specialist agencies and support the young person to sustain participation with the services.
• Liaise with teachers, social workers, local authorities, health professionals, refuge workers and primary carers, and other relevant agencies, as required to  support the young person’s YJS case plan.
• Increase young people’s engagement in locally based sport/rec activities
• Support young people to increase their school attendance and education attainment
• Increase opportunities for young people to gain "work-ready" skills and experiences
• Increase collaboration amongst local service providers and government agencies

About you:

• Minimum Certificate 4 or Diploma (or currently enrolled in with relevant experience) in Youth Work, Mental Health, AOD or Community Services, or  
• Minimum 3 years experience in relevant/related roles.  
• Experience and /or willingness to work with at risk young people with complex needs and challenging behaviours (i.e. has de-escalation training, conflict resolution, behaviour management). 
• Have strengths based, client centred, trauma informed and youth participation approach and experience. 
• A broad understanding of the challenges and experiences of people in regional Western Australia.  
• Strong communication and problem-solving skills   

Desirable Criteria: 

• Has trauma informed practices and therapeutic crisis intervention 
• Experience of working with or knowledge of issues impacting young people involved within the Department of Justice. 
• Knowledge of the effects of foetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) on young people (or willingness to undertake) 

Appointments will be subject to Australian residency/visa, satisfactory National Police check (within 3 months), Department of Justice clearance, Working With Children card, Current C or A class driver's license, First Aid Certificate, and suitable work referee.

Our Culture  

Hope strives to provide a safe workplace and promotes progressive policies that prioritise the health, safety and unique needs of our team. Hope’s ambition is to be an employer of choice by supporting staff to grow, learn, innovate and achieve their potential. We invest in developing our people to sustain the workforce built on ‘growing our own’. 

Find out more about Hope on our  website. 

If you need support to submit your application, please email **@hopecs.org.au  

Your benefits  

Knowing you are making a real difference in your community and being in a team that celebrates your successes and supports you during challenges. 

Not-for-profit salary packaging, reducing your tax (details via AccessPay).   

Discounts with a major health insurance provider. 

We offer employees and their family members access to a confidential, and professional counselling service.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants are strongly encouraged to apply

HOPE acknowledges and welcomes diversity in all its forms amongst staff and clients, including culture, language, race, ethnicity, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, intersex variations, religion, and socio-economic and relationship status.

To apply online, please click on the appropriate link below. Alternatively, for a confidential discussion, please contact Ansume Lane on , quoting Ref No. 1168319.