Position Overview

As a part of the FTS Staying on Track service in Ipswich-Inala, the Youth and Family Support Mentor role provides intensive, personalised, holistic, and practical reintegration support for young people transitioning from detention back into family and community. The position delivers up to 12 months of post-detention support for individuals, and where relevant, their families. This includes at least six months of intensive support and coordination, bridging the custodial and community phases and reducing the risk of reoffending.

Youth mentoring is the process by which a more experienced, trusted guide forms a relationship with a young person who wants a caring, more experienced person in their lives, so that the young person is supported in growth towards adulthood and the capacity to make positive social connections and build essential skills is increased.

About us

Fearless Towards Success (FTS) is a youth organisation that takes a specialised approach to provide holistic, wrap-around support focusing on the needs of young people who’ve been in youth detention and provides a ‘safe place to land’ that fosters connection and belonging to encourage positive re-engagement back into the community in a safe and supported environment.

Background – Staying on Track Youth Justice Program

The Youth Justice funded Staying on Track (SoT) program that FTS runs in Ipswich-Inala aims to improve community safety and reduce reoffending by bridging the transition to the community when young people are released from detention. This includes 12-months of support with at least 6-months of intensive supervision to assist young people with the foundations required to achieve a positive and crime free future.

Target group

The target group for the SoT program are young people remanded or sentenced by a court in a youth detention centre (YDC), or, by exception, held in a watchhouse. There are a range of providers for different locations across Queensland. FTS is responsible for young people who live in and around Ipswich and Inala.

For clarity, this includes high and very high risk young people who are released on bail; those subject to ongoing statutory community-based orders; and those who have completed a sentence. Young people held in a watchhouse may be referred by exception.

Key Responsibilities

The following responsibilities inform the regular work of the Youth and Family Support Mentor with young people and their families/caregivers. FTS supports young people and their families, kin, or caregivers during the young person’s detention and for 12 months after their release. The focus will be on promoting wellbeing and providing practical assistance to both the young person and their family. Services will be delivered in line with a Youth Justice Service Response Plan if the young person is on a Youth Justice order, and/or through the provider’s case plan once the order has ended. This support may include the following responsibilities:

● assist the young person and family to participate in a tailored Service Response Plan, including helping them understand and meet expectations in the Plan

o liaise with Child Safety for young people subject to child protection intervention, and Youth Justice and other relevant agencies based on young person’s needs, capabilities, and interests;

● where possible, assist families and caregivers to support the return of the young person to their home and community;

● recognise the importance of identity, cultural safety and connectedness and ensure this informs a thoughtful and attentive approach to working with each young person and their families/ caregivers (e.g. cultural support plan);

● undertake formal mentoring with the young person, ensuring that you genuinely listen to the voices and stories of each person and their families/ caregivers

o help the young person access housing and practical supports (e.g. Centrelink); disability support and domestic and family violence support; drug and alcohol and other health and wellbeing support services; and education/training/employment,

o help the young person strengthen their independent pro-social life skills (money, job applications, etc) and interests (e.g. recreation, sport, cultural activities);

● work collaboratively with Youth Justice, other relevant government and non-government agencies to support the young person and their family/ caregivers

o participate in care team and multi-agency collaborative panel (MACP) system processes,

o lead case management for young people who are not subject to a supervised youth justice court order;

● use brokerage in accordance with the Guidelines outlined in the OSD Program and Practice Guide;

● complete all administrative recording and reporting in relation to the above to ensure accountability to the young person, FTS, and the funding body;

● support the Coordinator to maintain services provided to the young person; support the and leadership team to achieve objectives

● adhere to legislative and policy obligations, including the QFCC Child Safe Standards and SoT Operational Practice Manual

● participate in continuous reflective practice improvement, and ongoing professional and cultural capability development and training.

Selection Criteria

We need experienced, self-reflective, compassionate and skilful people to work with us, who recognise that justice-involved young people have many experiences and circumstances that have led them to offending, and present risks for their continued involvement in anti-social and criminal behaviours.

1. Experience working with young people and their families in a way that prioritises child safety and wellbeing: Demonstrated or other relevant experience in working with justice-involved young people and their families/ caregivers in a way that prioritises child safety and wellbeing and cultural safety to strengthen and support the individual to change their offending behaviour in their specific context.

2. Trauma-informed and healing oriented expertise: Demonstrated experience in trauma-informed, healing-oriented practice with young people affected by adverse childhood experiences and developmental impairments, in a way that is family/ caregiver involved.

3. Cultural capabilities: Proven ability to work in a way that is culturally safe for a diverse range of people, families and communities with both individualistic and collectivist world views, cultures and identities, including gender diverse, LGBTQI+ and First Nations peoples.

4. Holistic service: Experience working with young people and families in a collaborative, holistic, strengths based/ advantaged thinking way to (co)develop and implement comprehensive personalised support plans that support a successful transition from detention, increasing protective factors and conditions, and reducing the risks of the young person reoffending.

5. Collaborative networking: Strong track record of working with individuals, families, communities, as well as justice, health, community, and cultural service partners.

6. Communication and self-awareness skills: High-level interpersonal communication and advocacy skills, with demonstrated ability for self-awareness and reflexive practice, and strong abilities in the use of online reporting and data collection tools. The organisation is committed to making a genuine impact on the lives of young people. We’re looking for passionate mentors who are committed to achieving positive change and brighter futures for young people.

Role Requirements

● Citizenship/Visa. To be appointed to the position you must be an Australian citizen, have permanent residency status or a Visa permitting you to work in Australia.

● Blue Card: Successful applicants require a valid Blue Card and must produce a valid form of identity.

● National Police Check

● Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are encouraged to apply. The organisation is committed to the employment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and providing a work environment in which their culture, beliefs and values are acknowledged and respected.

● Driver’s Licence: Current unrestricted Qld Driver’s License is required

● Adherence to the QFCC Child Safe Standards, including those outlined in FTS policies, procedures and practices.

Desirable:

● Lived experience: Personal history or first-hand insight into developmental trauma and justice settings.

● Qualifications: Relevant tertiary qualifications (such as social work, youth work, psychology, community services, community health or related field) and/or relevant experience.

Working Conditions

● Location: Community-based role across Ipswich-Inala service area. The support centre is based in Ipswich. The position provides the opportunity to make a difference to young people.

● Hours: Standard 38 hours; with flexibility for outreach or mentoring outside business hours as needed. Face to face interaction with young people, their families and stakeholders is required so flexibility does not extend to the location of the role.

● Award: Youth and Family Support Mentors will be paid under the SCHADS Award (https://awards.fairwork.gov.au/MA000100.html) , level 4 Remuneration includes 12% superannuation and 4 weeks annual leave (pro rata)

● Salary sacrificing: Not-for-profit salary packaging options to increase take home pay (package up to $15,900 per FBT year). Use this salary packaging calculator link.

● Supervision & support: Supported through regular administrative, practice and cultural supervision processes, team and organisational policies, procedures and processes, and a range of regular professional development and training activities.

● Professional Development: Participation in training relating to relevant topics such as neuro and trauma-informed care and cultural safety.

Applications

Along with your up-to-date resume or CV, please email us a two-page letter that responds to the Selection Criteria and highlights the main reasons you will be a great fit for FTS and the young people we work to support.

Please include the names of two referees who have a thorough knowledge of your conduct over the previous two years or an appropriate period.

You are welcome to send your application to Selena Walters CEO [email protected] by Friday 19 September 2025.

You will receive a confirmation email within three days of receipt of your application. If you are shortlisted we will contact you to arrange a time for interview.

Contact person: Nat Treasure M: 0431 169 969 E: [email protected]