Support Worker

About Us

The St Vincent de Paul Society NSW is a leading provider of community support services, committed to supporting people experiencing disadvantage and working towards a more just and compassionate society.

For more information about working at Vinnies please click here. 

Your Role

As a Support Worker at Bowral Youth Refuge, you will play a pivotal role in assisting young people who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness. You’ll be directly involved in helping these young people regain stability, build resilience, and pave the way to independence. You’ll work closely with a dedicated team of Case Workers, supporting the development and implementation of individual care plans to help

Your Responsibility

• Build positive, respectful and professional relationships with young people while maintaining clear boundaries.

• Provide trauma-informed, strengths-based and person-centred support.

• Support young people with complex needs, including experiences of trauma, mental health challenges and substance use.

• Help young people develop independent living and life skills through activities, programs and everyday interactions.

• Work alongside Case Workers to support young people in achieving their goals.

• Provide practical assistance, advocacy and information to help young people navigate their circumstances.

• Assist with the intake and assessment of new clients.

• Create and maintain a safe, welcoming residential environment.

• Complete accurate case notes and client documentation.

• Respond confidently to incidents, risks and emergency situations.

• Support the day-to-day operation of the refuge, including activities and programs.

You Will Need

• Experience working with children and young people, ideally in homelessness, youth services or residential care.

• Knowledge of child protection, mandatory reporting and safeguarding.

• A strong understanding of trauma-informed and strengths-based practice.

• Excellent communication and documentation skills.

• The ability to remain calm and make sound decisions in challenging situations.

• A compassionate, respectful and non-judgemental approach.

• Drivers Licence & Current First Aid Certificate

  • Working with Children Check or Willingess to obtain

   

   

  🕐 Availability

  This role operates across a rotating roster, including day, evening and sleepover shifts. Flexibility and availability to work evening and sleepover shifts is highly regarded.

  • 🌙 Evening & sleepover shifts: 5:00pm to 11:00pm, followed by a sleepover and 7:00am to 9:00am the following morning.
  • 📅 Weekdays and weekends: Availability across both weekdays and weekends is advantageous.
  • ☀️ Day shifts: Standard day shifts are 8:45am to 5:15pm.
  • 🌙Friday nights: Availability on Friday nights is highly advantageous 

Apply Now

If this sounds like you, don’t wait - apply now, we are interviewing applications as we receive them.

Any queries please reach out to  careers.nsw@vinnies.org.au 

We Offer:

• Supportive Team – Join a welcoming, values-driven team with a strong sense of community.
• Boost Your Take-Home Pay – Access up to $15,900 in tax-free benefits for everyday expenses.
• Career Progression – Grow with clear pathways to leadership and internal opportunities.
• Learning & Development - On-demand training to support your professional growth. 
• Wellbeing Support –  EAP and wellness services to support your mental and physical well-being. 
• Inclusive Culture – Thrive in a diverse workplace with active RAP and DIAP programs.
• Leave Benefits – 5 days Sorry Business Leave , Mental Health/Wellbeing Day Off, 16 weeks of paid parental leave, plus access to cultural and study leave to support your personal and professional life. 

St Vincent de Paul Society (NSW) welcomes people from all backgrounds, ethnicities, cultures, and experiences. We are an equal opportunity employer and are committed to engaging a diverse workforce. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, people with disability, people from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, people who identify as LGBTQIA+, candidates of any or no religious beliefs and applicants of all ages. If you are a candidate with disability please let us know if you require any support to participate in the application and recruitment process.

The Society is committed to being a Child Safe organisation, further information can be found in the Society’s commitment to Safeguarding Children & Young People. Prior to an offer of employment, candidates will be required to complete the pre-employment checks including a Police check & Working with Children check. A health / medical assessment may be required for some roles.