54 reasons, in partnership with Ohana for Youth, is excited to announce the launch of a new holistic educational and wellbeing program, Ohana Academy, specifically for young people in contact with the youth justice system in Cairns. We’ll be supporting these young people with a wraparound crew of specialist teachers, teacher aids, youth support and family support staff. We’re looking for people just like you: innovative, creative and compassionate; to provide Integrated Case Management to young people within the School through:

• Flexible engagement and holistic assessment
• Therapeutic case planning and 1-1 mentoring
• Family support and parent coaching
• Group-based activities to learn new skills and heal from trauma

54 reasons is Australia’s leading child rights organisation – no ordinary not-for-profit.

Proudly part of the Save the Children Australia Group and global movement, we’re here to make sure that children and young people have their rights met and thrive, in all their diversity.

With the child’s voice at the centre, we provide quality services to children and their caregivers in every state and territory, and across regions, remote areas and capital cities. From our programs to our support services - this is the place to realise your purpose.

Where you come in:

We’re currently looking for two innovative Youth Specialists to join the team. In these full-time, maximum term roles (until 31 December 2026, with a strong possibility of extension), you’ll work as a part of the Ohana Academy team in Cairns to help us create lasting change for young people.

You will make a difference by:

• Facilitating activities designed to increase young people’s social and emotional wellbeing, life skills and education attainment
• Developing and maintaining trusting relationships with clients and their families
• Providing practical support, mentoring and advocacy for young people with complex needs
• Identifying where additional assistance and external services are required, providing appropriate information, support and referrals

A place to feel valued:

Your expertise in working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth and families will be invaluable. You’re compassionate, flexible and an innovator, with a passion for supporting young people to achieve their goals.

This role requires:

• Demonstrated skills and experience working with young people in contact with the justice system, and with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people
• Demonstrated experience in youth work / case management roles
• An understanding of complex intergenerational trauma

A place to belong:

At 54 reasons, we invest in the development and wellbeing of our people. Our workforce is approximately 600 people strong, and proudly diverse, whether in race, ethnicity, gender, age, disability, sexuality, cultures and beliefs.

It takes all types of people to do the challenging work we do. We are diverse personalities, backgrounds and talents, embracing our differences as one strong and united team. We see and celebrate the unique value you bring to our organisation, and offer a range of rewards for your effort, including:

• Generous award rate salary (Level 4.1 – currently $44.58 per hour) plus super and full salary packaging benefits - use this link to see how much this benefit could mean to you!
• Individual learning plans to help map and deliver on your career development
• Extra leave to use in a range of ways to ensure you’re able to perform at your optimum
• Supportive Managers – we provide professional supervision training and monthly supervision sessions so you can feel supported and build a career at Save
• Support for workplace wellness, including access to our free, confidential Employee Wellbeing Program
• Celebrate and feel supported in your diversity. We’ve established internal networks to support our diverse workforce, foster inclusion and allow you to bring your whole self to work (if that’s what you want!) (Pride@Save, Parents and Carers@Save, Mental Wellness Alliance, Disability@Save, First Nations Advisory Committee).

Follow this link for the full list of our employee benefits.

Does this sound like the place for you?

We’d love to hear from you. Submit your cover letter and resume below.

We strongly encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates to apply.

Applications Close: Wednesday 15^th October 2025.

Position Description: Youth Specialist – Ohana Academy

For more information about the program that this role will be working in, see our Program Profile. For any queries, please contact Edwina Andrew at edwina.andrew@54reasons.org.au. Or for more information about a career at Save, visit our Careers Page.

We have tested our application process with diverse groups in mind, with the intent to ensure its straightforward and accessible for all to apply. Diversity and inclusion are fundamental to our culture and improve our ability to reach our most vulnerable client groups. But we also know there is no one-size fits-all when it comes to recruitment - so if we didn’t quite hit the mark for you, please let us know at people.culture@savethechildren.org.au. We’re dedicated to ensuring Save the Children Australia is a place where everyone can feel supported – no matter your race, ethnicity, gender, age, disability, sexuality, neurodiversity, culture and beliefs.

Save the Children Australia is a child-safe organisation. All employees are required to undergo a National Police Check, a Working with Children Check, and sign our Child Safeguarding Policy and Code of Conduct. We also support the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme.

Save the Children is committed to providing and maintaining a safe working environment for its employees and client groups, consistent with our obligations under OH&S legislation.

If you are having any issues with uploading your application for this role, please contact people.culture@savethechildren.org.au for further support.