Youth Worker

Allied Justice is a for-purpose organisation providing free legal assistance, integrated services and community legal education.

When people experience deep and persistent disadvantages, they often feel trapped in dysfunctional relationships, lost in complex inefficient legal systems, unnecessary processes, and often suffering in silence. We are at the front line of these issues. We have invested significantly in the development of our new Strategy 2025-2027 to ensure our organisation is providing contemporary integrated services to respond the shared and unique needs of the people we support across 11 local government areas in Western Victoria.

Our commitment is to change life stories through better access to justice, and we achieve this by applying our values – respect, courage, empowerment & kindness – to the people of the communities we serve, our stakeholders and our colleagues.

By providing legal services, community legal education, law reform and integrated services through client centered, trauma informed and culturally safe practice, we will improve the safety and wellbeing of families and individuals.

About the Role

The Youth Worker improves access to justice for students and the broader school community. The position acts as a conduit for elevating the voices of young people, identifying legal and related needs. The role also supports the successful coordination and integration of the school lawyer into the school community, helping to build trusted relationships and strengthen access to justice for students and their families. This position will leverage the unique insights of this initiative to build relationships with other similar regional and remote schools.

Job Responsibilities Overview

• Support the coordination and delivery of the Lawyer-in-School program.
• Build trusted relationships with students, families, school staff and community stakeholders.
• Identify legal and social support needs and facilitate appropriate referrals.
• Work collaboratively with schools and community services to strengthen outcomes for young people.
• Deliver services using trauma-informed, culturally safe and youth-centred practices.
• Contribute to reporting, evaluation and continuous improvement activities.
• Promote and support the expansion of the Lawyer-in-School model across regional and rural communities.

Key Selection Criteria

1. Demonstrated experience working effectively with young people in education, community or youth service settings.
2. Strong understanding of family violence prevention, early intervention and the social drivers of disadvantage.
3. Ability to build respectful relationships and engage young people using trauma informed and culturally safe practice.
4. Demonstrated understanding of access to justice issues, legal need identification and referral pathways for young people.
5. Highly developed communication skills, sound judgement and the ability to work collaboratively across school and legal settings.
6. Experience working in partnership with schools, legal services or multidisciplinary teams.

Qualifications

• Relevant qualification in Youth Work or Social Work
• Current Victorian Driver’s License
• Cleared National Police Record Check (it is the responsibility of all staff to notify the organization immediately if there are any changes to their criminal records status)
• Current right to work in Australia
• Valid, employer Working with Children Check
• Physical ability to safely undertake all aspect of the position

Please apply with cover letter and resume via Seek. Applications will be processed on receipt.

A copy of the position description can be obtained via email - [email protected]

This position is located in Ballarat or Horsham with regular travel to St Arnaud. Hybrid arrangements negotiable.

We welcome applications from people of all genders, ages, First Nation peoples, people with disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and from lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, gender diverse and intersex people.

As a child safe organisation, Allied Justice requires disclosure of any formal disciplinary action by a current or former employer including any finding of improper or unprofessional conduct.