Senior Practitioner
- Application close Date COB on Friday 18th September 2026
- Full Time (76 Hours per fortnight)
- Fixed Term until June 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 Senior Practitioner role is a hybrid role working interchangeably across the KEYS Out of Home Care (OOHC) program and the Restoring Families program, responding flexibly to the needs, priorities and practice requirements of both programs. Across KEYS, the role provides specialist Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) intervention, secondary consultation and harm minimisation support to young people in OOHC, their carers and broader care team members and their family.
Key Selection Criteria
1.Demonstrated knowledge of trauma-responsive practice, child development and family dynamics, particularly when working with vulnerable children, young people and families.
2. Demonstrated ability to identify and respond to risk, child safety concerns and family violence within statutory systems.
3. Demonstrated ability to provide integrated, trauma-informed and strengths-based AOD and therapeutic interventions to children, young people and their families experiencing complex needs.
4. Describe your experience working with Child Protection, Out of Home Care (OOHC) and other statutory related cohorts.
5. Demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities across a hybrid role, balancing direct practice, case management, stakeholder engagement, secondary consultation and program requirements across KEYS and Restoring Families.
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, Kathrine Topilnicki, Lead Practitioner, on 0427121741 regarding Senior Practitioner position, Recruitment Ref. Number – 061_2026.
- YSAS is an equal opportunity employer, and we welcome applications from all sectors of the community.
- YSAS has a zero tolerance for child abuse and is committed to the provision of a child-safe organisation.
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