At a Glance
- Tasks: Support young people in Out-of-Home Care to build confidence and life skills.
- Company: Join Life Without Barriers, a leading social purpose organisation.
- Benefits: Earn $50.61 per hour, enjoy salary packaging, and flexible shifts.
- Other info: Ongoing training and career development opportunities available.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of children and young people.
- Qualifications: Certificate IV in a relevant discipline or actively working towards one.
The predicted salary is between 50.61 - 50.61 £ per hour.
Help young people heal, grow and thrive. Are you looking for a rewarding role where every shift makes a genuine difference? At Life Without Barriers, you'll support children and young people living in Out-of-Home Care to build confidence, develop life skills and experience safe, positive relationships. Whether you're beginning your career or bringing previous experience, you'll be joining a supportive team that is passionate about creating brighter futures.
Why join Life Without Barriers?
- Competitive casual rate – SCHADS Level 3.1 Casual ($50.61 per hour) + Superannuation
- Salary Packaging – Increase your take‑home pay through tax‑free salary packaging benefits
- Flexible casual work – A variety of shifts available to suit your lifestyle
- Career development – Many of our House Managers, Practitioners and Operations Managers started as Youth Workers
- Training and support – Ongoing professional development and comprehensive onboarding
- Meaningful work – Every shift provides an opportunity to positively influence the life of a child or young person
About the role
We're seeking passionate and resilient Youth Workers to join our Ipswich team supporting children and young people in residential care. Working within a therapeutic, trauma‑informed framework, you'll create safe, nurturing environments where young people feel supported, respected and empowered. This is a casual position requiring flexibility to work across a 24/7 roster, including:
- Morning, afternoon and evening shifts
- Weekends and public holidays
- Sleepover shifts
- Active night shifts
What you'll be doing
- Build positive, trusting relationships with children and young people.
- Provide day‑to‑day care, guidance and emotional support.
- Support education, daily living skills and community participation.
- Encourage healthy relationships with family, carers and support networks where appropriate.
- Promote independence, wellbeing and positive life outcomes.
- Maintain accurate case notes and work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams.
- Respond calmly and safely to challenging situations using therapeutic approaches.
About you
You'll be someone who genuinely enjoys supporting young people and can remain calm, empathetic and resilient in challenging situations. To be considered you will have:
- A minimum Certificate IV in a relevant discipline, or be actively working towards one (Queensland legislative requirement).
- An unrestricted Australian Driver Licence.
- A current First Aid and CPR Certificate, or willingness to obtain before commencement.
- A commitment to child safety, trauma-informed practice and person‑centred support.
- Availability to work across a rotating 24/7 roster.
Recruitment process
Successful applicants will complete:
- Interview (Microsoft Teams, in person or group interview)
- Reference checks
- National Police Check
- Queensland Blue Card
- Licenced Care Service (LCS) Check
- Hope & Healing online training (completed prior to commencement)
How to apply
Click Apply and submit your current resume. For enquiries, or if you require adjustments throughout the recruitment process, please contact Joelene quoting "YW - Ipswich" in the subject line. Please note that applications submitted via email cannot be accepted. Candidates with disabilities who require adjustments to the recruitment process or the application form in an alternate format can visit for information on our access and inclusion work and how to contact us directly.
About Life Without Barriers
Life Without Barriers is one of Australia's leading social purpose organisations, employing more than 8,000 people across 500+ communities. Every day, we partner with children, young people, families and communities to create safer, stronger and more inclusive futures. Our work is driven by respect, integrity, courage and compassion, and we believe every person deserves the opportunity to thrive. We strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, members of the LGBTQIA+ community and people with lived experience.
Youth Worker. Casual - Ipswich employer: Life Without Barriers
Life Without Barriers is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being of both its employees and the children they serve. With a strong commitment to flexible hybrid working arrangements, a supportive work culture, and ample opportunities for professional growth in the social work field, this role in Rocherlea offers a meaningful chance to make a real difference in the lives of foster care applicants. Join a team that values your expertise and dedication while fostering a safe and nurturing environment for children.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Youth Worker. Casual - Ipswich
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Life Without Barriers.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Life Without Barriers!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Life Without Barriers, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Life Without Barriers or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Youth Worker. Casual - Ipswich
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Life Without Barriers:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Life Without Barriers! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Life Without Barriers
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
