Senior Practitioner
- Application close Date COB on 7th May 2026
- Part-time (60.8 Hours per fortnight)
- Fixed Term until May 2027
- Remuneration SCHCADS level 6 dependent on qualifications and experience + superannuation
- 5 Weeks Annual Leave
- Up to $15,900 for living expenses + up to $2,600 towards meals and entertainment can be tax-free through NFP Salary Packaging
About the position
The KEYS (Keep Embracing Your Success) Specialist Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) Practitioner role is funded by the Department of Families Fairness and Housing (DFFH), delivered in partnership with Anglicare to provide a specialist Youth AOD service to young people involved in the child protection system and living in the KEYS residential therapeutic residential homes. The KEYS AOD practitioner will provide support, advice and planning guidance to staff in the Northwest region of KEYS homes through specialist secondary consultation, AOD education, AOD assessment, referral and linkages.
YSAS in conjunction with Anglicare deliver AOD Support Services for young people aged 12 – 17 years who experience complex emotional and behavioural difficulties and are currently in residential care in the KEYS program. The KEYS AOD Practitioner will be based in Sunshine and will be a part of the sunshine AOD team.
Key Selection Criteria
- Demonstrated ability and experience in working with disadvantaged and marginalized young people with complex problems/needs who are involved in the statutory child protection system.
- Demonstrated ability to practice and educate others in a range of AOD interventions.
- Previous experience in assessment, care planning and case management approaches.
- Previous experience in demonstrating, applying and advocating for the principles of harm minimization/reduction in shared care contexts.
- Demonstrated knowledge of the legislative and operating environment of the Child Protection and OoHC systems.
- Demonstrated experience and skills in developing and maintaining close working relationships with other individuals and services (including statutory bodies) involved with the target group.
What our young people request from our workers:
Young people across YSAS have spoken out and given feedback about the qualities that best describe a good YSAS worker:
“A good worker takes the time to understand your interests and doesn’t treat everyone the same.” “Young people believe that a good YSAS worker is empathetic and good at actively listening in a non-judgmental way, is relatable, down-to-earth and able to build trust and rapport in a consistent manner”. “It takes time to trust someone, but it’s worth it when you know they’ve got your back”. Young people have also raised that genuine human connection is an important quality, “being authentically human”, while having a holistic, flexible, and adaptable approach that considers the entire context of a young person’s life and their intersectionalities. “It’s about making sure workers don’t just tick boxes but genuinely want to see us thrive”
Regardless of where they are based or what position a worker has, everything we do at YSAS is about young people and their families.
For full details of the position, please view the POSITION DESCRIPTION below
Why work with us?
- YSAS has a true commitment to flexible working, ensuring that individual, team and client needs are met
- YSAS offers additional leave entitlements such as gender affirmation, ceremonial leave for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, fertility leave, blood donors leave, a generous Parental Leave Scheme and the ability to purchase additional leave.
- Access to learning and development opportunities
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Please Note:
- As part of our Employment screening process you will be required to undertake a National Criminal History check and have a current Working with Children Check.
- You must have Australian work rights to apply for this position.
Further Enquiries
For a confidential discussion about the position, please contact Meagan Mathieson, Regional Manager NW AOD Services, on 0448009939 regarding the Senior Practitioner position, Recruitment Ref. Number – 025_2026.
- YSAS is an equal opportunity employer, and we welcome applications from all sectors of the community.
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