About the role:

At MacKillop Education, we believe every young person deserves the chance to thrive—especially those who are vulnerable, at risk, or disengaged from school. Our mission is clear: to ensure equity and access to education for all young people, no matter their circumstances. We're looking for someone experienced in supporting young people living in out-of-home care to engage in learning, pathways or community programs.

As an Education Specialist, you'll be at the forefront of transforming educational outcomes for young people living residential care settings. Our program ensures that learning is a positive experience that offers not only academic success but also nurtures the young people’s social and emotional wellbeing. We do this by adopting a holistic, trauma-informed model of practice that promotes safety, positive relationships, and creates a supportive learning environment.

The position provides you with the opportunity to deliver one-on-one education and specialist education support, advocacy, school-based and targeted learning interventions, outreach, tutoring, enrolment support, and access to student brokerage. By adopting a more individualised, flexible approach to learning, we support young people to achieve their learning goals, transition back to mainstream, or access vocational training or further education.

You'll be part of a dynamic, purpose-driven Education and Engagement Team, reporting to the Access Ed and Thrive Team Leader. Together, you’ll champion education as a powerful tool for equity, opportunity, and hope.

What you'll do:

• Be a changemaker: Improve learning outcomes for students in care through hands-on teaching, advocacy, and supporting care teams.
• Lead with insight: Conduct academic and wellbeing assessments to understand the unique needs of each learner.
• Tailor success: Develop and implement Individual Education Plans (IEPs) with clear goals and meaningful strategies for every student.

We have 1 x Fixed Term, Full-Time opportunity based in Footscray within our MacKillop Education and Engagement Programs. The position reports to the Access Ed and Thrive Program Team Leader.

Key Selection Criteria:

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• Appropriate experience and qualifications in education, youth worker or social work.
• A knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal culture and values and an awareness of the current issues faced by Aboriginal children, young people and their families.
• Experience working with children and young people who are disengaged or at risk of disengaging from education.
• An understanding and commitment to the objectives and values of the organisation and a capacity to represent MacKillop views as required by the role.

Please address the full Key Selection Criteria outlined in the PD as part of your application.

For a full position listing, please click APPLY. The Position Description is available for review at the bottom of the page.

For more information, please contact Brona Walshe at [email protected]

Our offer:

• Generous salary and leave entitlements in line with the Catholic Education Multi-Enterprise Agreement 2022.
• Salary packaging up to $18,500 (helps increase your take home pay).
• Discounted workplace health and fitness program available to you and your family.
• Paid on-site training that contributes to your professional development.
• Regular supervision.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – free and confidential counselling, coaching and emotional support for work and personal challenges.

You must have a:

• Valid and current Drivers Licence;
• Satisfactory Criminal History Check (paid for by MacKillop);
• Valid Employee Working with Children Check; OR a valid VIT registration
• Valid and current NDIS Workers Screening Check

Our Commitment:

MacKillop celebrates and draws strength from diversity and respects the dignity of all people. Every person at MacKillop has the right to be safe and to be treated justly. We value every person’s ability, cultural or linguistic backgrounds, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, intersex status, relationship status, religious or spiritual beliefs, socio-economic status, and age.

It is our goal that MacKillop Family Services continues to evolve as a culturally safe, culturally competent, and welcoming organisation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, young people, families, and communities.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

Shortlisting for this position may commence immediately so please submit your application as soon as possible

Child Safe Standards

MacKillop Education and Engagement Programs are committed to providing child-safe environments. Our programs actively promote the safety and wellbeing of all participants, and all staff are dedicated to protecting individuals from abuse or harm, in line with legal obligations, including adherence to child safe standards.