Do you want to make a difference for kids and young people in care?
Do you want to earn while you learn, with paid training and a formal qualification?
As a Child & Youth Worker, you’ll:
- Walk alongside young people in care, helping them feel safe, supported, and proud of who they are
- Share your connection to Country, community and culture while building life skills that will carry them into the future
- Be a mentor, a listener, and a steady presence when life gets tough
- Help non-Aboriginal staff to understand and respect Aboriginal ways of knowing, being and doing.
About the Role:
In our homes, young people need more than just a roof over their heads – they need belonging.
As a Child & Youth Worker, you’ll bring patience, humour, and cultural strength to help our kids feel at home and connected.
You’ll be:
- Helping with daily routines – meals, school, sport, and community activities
- Creating moments that build confidence – from a yarn over dinner to a kick of the footy in the park
- Providing calm and trauma-aware support when challenges arise
- Encouraging skills for independence, resilience, and community connection
Benefits of working with DCP:
Get more than just a pay cheque. We value our staff and offer:
- Real impact: shape the futures of children and young people to help them feel safe, proud and connected to strengthen culture in care
- Paid training: we’ll pay you to complete the nationally recognised Certificate IV in Child, Youth and Family Intervention while you work, plus provide on-the-job mentoring
- Work/Life balance: up to 5 weeks annual leave (full-time), 12% super, and shift penalties
- Recognition: our annual DCP Recognition Awards recognises staff excellence while also honouring cultural diversity and acknowledging the meaningful impact our teams make within the community.
- Room to grow: ongoing training and career development opportunities tailored to your goals
- Strong support: Cultural mentors, peer networks and free culturally appropriate and independent counselling for you and your family through our Employee Assistance Program
- Stay well: access to more than 1,700 gyms, fitness centres and pools across Australia through our Fitness Passport program for you and your family.
About You:
You don’t need formal qualifications to start- your lived experience, cultural knowledge, and willingness to learn are powerful.
You’re someone who can:
- Keep calm when things get tricky
- Build trust with young people quickly
- Share culture and stories in a way that inspires and empowers
- Holds strong boundaries while showing empathy
- Supports non-Aboriginal colleagues to grow in cultural safety
- Adapt to days that never look the same.
Essential Requirements:
- SA Driver’s Licence (P2 or above)
- SA Working with Children Check
- First Aid Certificate – HLTAID012 (Provide First Aid in an Education and Care Setting)
- Ability to complete an 8-week, full-time induction program
- Availability to work AM, PM, night shifts, weekends, and public holidays.
Night shift-only rosters (full-time, part-time, or casual) are available. Just let us know your preference in your application.
Desirable attributes
We value your life experience and cultural knowledge first – but it’s a bonus if you’ve got experience in:
- Youth work or mentoring
- Community services
- Education
- Disability support
- Aged care.
About our recruitment and selection process:
We recruit all year and support you through each step (subject to passing each step).
- Online application
- Phone screening
- Medical and psychological assessments (paid by us)
- Reference checks
- Assessment Centre.
Successful applicants join our 12-month Recruitment Pool until their preferred intake date.
All successful applicants complete the same paid 8-week induction.
What else do you need to know?
Our residential care homes run 24/7, including weekends and public holidays. Shifts rotate with varying start/finish times so think about whether shift work suits your lifestyle before applying.
Before you apply, review the:
- Role Description
- Job Demands Sheet
- FAQs
If you still have questions, email us at DCPRecruitment@sa.gov.au.
Need help applying?
Connect with our Principle Aboriginal Workforce Consultant if you need help with your application.
Email at: teegan.bryant@sa.gov.au