About Us For more than 120 years, Hope Community Services has walked alongside West Australians, providing compassionate, practical support for people experiencing family and domestic violence, mental health challenges, substance use, social disadvantage, and other complex needs. Our Individual Support and Transition Service provides targeted, trauma-informed support to young people in custody who present with complex needs and behaviours. Operating within custodial settings across the Metro region, including Armadale, the service works closely with Youth Custodial Operations, Psychological Services, and Case Planning Units to support young people to stabilise, build skills, and successfully transition back into the general population. We are committed to strengths-based practice, cultural safety, and improving outcomes for young people involved in the justice system. About the Role We are seeking an experienced Intensive Support Worker (ISW) to join our Metro team based in Armadale. Reporting to the Youth Justice Manager Metro, this role works directly with young people aged 10–18 years who are placed in Intensive Support Units (ISU) or alternative accommodation due to high-risk behaviours, vulnerabilities, or complex needs. In this role, you will provide one-on-one, intensive support to young people experiencing suicidal ideation, self-harm, aggression, violence, or other significant challenges. You will help young people set achievable behavioural goals, increase their engagement in education, programs, and recreational activities, and develop coping strategies to manage challenging situations. What’s on Offer $100,776.00 super Up to $15,900 tax-free salary packaging Full-time role, 76 hours per fortnight, based in custodial settings across the Metro region, including Armadale Meaningful work supporting highly vulnerable young people Opportunity to work within a multidisciplinary custodial environment Supportive leadership and collaborative team culture Professional development and training opportunities Chance to make a direct impact on young people’s safety, wellbeing, and future pathways You’ll Need Essential Demonstrated experience using strengths-based, client-centred, trauma-informed and youth participation approaches Qualifications and/or significant experience in Psychology, Social Work, Youth Work, Mental Health, Community Services or AOD Experience working with at-risk young people Ability and willingness to work with challenging behaviours, including de-escalation, conflict resolution, and behavioural management Understanding of Aboriginal culture and the challenges faced by young people in regional Western Australia Strong documentation, reporting, and case note writing skills Current C or A Class Driver’s Licence Working With Children Check National Police Certificate (within 3 months) Department of Justice Clearance – can take up to 6 weeks Current First Aid Certificate Desirable Knowledge and experience in Trauma-Informed Care and Practice Experience working with young people involved in the justice system and/or child protection Understanding of Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), or willingness to undertake training Previous experience in custodial or secure care environments Next Steps Please submit your resume and a cover letter addressing the selection criteria. Shortlisted applicants will be contacted for an initial phone discussion, followed by an interview. We are an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and individuals with lived experience relevant to youth justice and community services.
