We are looking for an outstanding practitioner to bring this new service to life!

54 reasons, in partnership with Ohana for Youth, is excited to announce the launch of a new holistic educational and wellbeing program specifically for young people in contact with the youth justice system in Cairns. 54 reasons will support these young people with a wraparound crew of specialist support staff. We’re looking for a leader to bring this service to life – someone just like you: innovative, creative and compassionate.

Our partnership project will have two key pillars:

1. Education and wellbeing: Ohana for Youth will operate the Academy, a co-educational, independent, secondary Special Assistance School (SAS)

2. Integrated Case Management: 54 reasons’ experienced case managers will provide holistic support to young people within the Academy.

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.

A place to make a difference:

In this full-time, 12-month maximum term role (with a strong possibility of extension until December 2028), you’ll play a key mentoring role in the establishment of the Ohana Academy program in Cairns, providing holistic case management to young people aged 10-16 and their families.

You will make a difference by:

• Maintaining a caseload of families and caregivers of young people who have been in contact with the youth justice system, including parent coaching which aims to build family capacity
• Using partnership, outcomes based, strengths’ perspective and client-centred approaches
• Driving quality program planning and implementation, including mentoring our Youth Specialists
• Developing and maintaining operational stakeholder relationships that are critical to the success of the program
• Coordinating staff caseloads and program logistics, monitoring and evaluation, risk management and child protection

A place to feel valued:

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

These roles require:

• Demonstrated skills, knowledge, understanding and experience working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth and families, families at risk, and young people involved in the youth justice system
• Degree or Diploma in a related field, or significant relevant experience
• Other skills and experience as outlined in the position description linked below

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:

• Award rate salary (Level 5.1 currently $51.00 per hour) plus super and full salary packaging benefits – use this link to see how much this benefit could mean to you!
• Generous financial assistance with relocation, along with transitional housing to support you initially, if you’re moving to the region
• 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 have a highly inclusive culture and diverse workforce reflecting the communities we serve, allowing you to bring your whole self to work (if that’s what you want!)

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: Monday April 6^th, 2026. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis as they come in, so don’t delay in applying!

Position Description: Senior Practitioner - Ohana Academy

Program Profile: Ohana Academy - Cairns

For any queries, please contact Tanya Dunkley at tanya.dunkley@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.