ROLE DESCRIPTION Position: Youth Worker – Attendance and Engagement Contract: Temporary (Part - time – .40fte), commencing ASAP Reports to: Deputy Principal Education (or delegate) Application closing date : Friday 6 March 2026 - 3.00pm The College Only a 25 minute drive from the city and blessed with excellent transport links, Irene McCormack Catholic College offers a Christ-centered and student-focused Catholic education from Year 7 to Year 12. Inspired by the lives of Sr Irene McCormack, Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop, and the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart, the College provides a holistic teaching and learning program. This program is supported by a strong and vibrant pastoral care system and enriched by a wide range of extra-curricular opportunities. The College is committed to fostering student engagement, wellbeing and pathways through strong partnerships between school, family and community. Position Purpose The Youth Worker – Attendance and Engagement supports the College’s pastoral and wellbeing framework by working collaboratively with students, families and staff to improve student attendance, engagement and long-term educational and vocational outcomes. Grounded in a Catholic, relational and strengths-based approach, the role focuses on: · Supporting families to establish routines, habits and structures that promote regular and sustained school attendance · Assisting students to identify their interests, strengths and aspirations, and to explore pathways that give purpose and direction to their learning The Youth Worker helps build a culture of care, hope and belonging, encouraging students to recognise their personal gifts and their responsibility to themselves, their families and the wider community. Key Responsibilities Student and Family Support – Attendance · Work proactively with students identified as at risk of irregular attendance or disengagement · Build respectful, trusting and culturally responsive relationships with students and families · Engage families in collaborative problem-solving to identify barriers to attendance · Support families to develop consistent routines and habits that promote punctuality and regular attendance · Conduct meetings with students and families, and where appropriate, home or community-based engagement Student Engagement, Interests and Pathways · Work with students to identify strengths, interests and passions that enhance engagement with learning · Support students to explore future education, training and career pathways aligned with their interests · Assist students in goal setting and future planning to strengthen motivation and sense of purpose · Collaborate with College staff, including pastoral care, wellbeing, VET and careers teams, to ensure coordinated support Collaboration, Administration and Professional Practice · Participate in case-management processes in alignment with College and CEWA expectations · Maintain accurate and confidential student records and case notes · Liaise with external agencies and support services as required · Contribute to whole-school attendance strategies and wellbeing initiatives · Uphold and actively support the Catholic ethos, values and mission of the College · Comply with CEWA policies, child safety, mandatory reporting obligation Essential Qualifications and Requirements Applicants must hold, or be working towards, a relevant qualification recognised in Australia, such as: · Certificate IV in Youth Work · Diploma of Youth Work · Diploma of Community Services · Bachelor of Social Work · Bachelor of Youth Work or a related discipline Mandatory requirements include: · Current Working With Children Check (WA) · Current National Police Clearance · Current driver’s licence (C class) · Eligibility to work in Australia Skills, Knowledge and Experience Essential · Experience working with young people and families, particularly those experiencing attendance or engagement challenges · Demonstrated ability to build positive, respectful and professional relationships · Understanding of adolescent development, family systems and wellbeing frameworks · Capacity to work collaboratively within a school-based, multidisciplinary team · Strong organisational, communication and documentation skills Desirable · Experience working within a school or education system · Knowledge of attendance processes and relevant legislation in Western Australia · Experience supporting students with transitions, pathways or vocational engagement · Familiarity with community, youth and family support services Personal Attributes · Commitment to the Catholic ethos and mission of Catholic education · Empathetic, compassionate and student-centred approach · Solution-focused and strengths-based mindset · Professional judgement, discretion and integrity · Ability to work both independently and as part of a collaborative team Conditions of Employment · Appointment is subject to satisfactory screening and compliance with CEWA requirements · The successful applicant will be expected to support the Catholic identity and mission of the College · Ongoing professional learning and formation will be required in line with CEWA expectations Irene McCormack Catholic College is committed to providing a child-safe environment and promoting the wellbeing of all students. Applicants are advised to submit their applications through the school’s official website. Please contact the Deputy Principal Education Ms Emma Janeczko for any queries regarding the Position.
