Senior Youth AOD Lead

About the Opportunity

Circuit Breaker Youth Refuge provides intensive 24-hour support, including crisis accommodation and case management for young people aged 17–24. Based at Frontyard Youth Services in Melbourne, the program supports clients for up to six months.

This new role aims to enhance integrated, multidisciplinary support for young people experiencing homelessness. Many use AOD to cope with stress, trauma or mental health issues linked to family problems and financial hardship. 

The Senior Youth AOD lead will support young people with co-occurring AOD and Mental Health challenges and assist staff in navigating support systems.  They will help integrate screening assessment and treatment to address both issues simultaneously.

About you

We are looking for someone who is:

• Interested in a AOD lead role in the youth specialist homelessness services space across Melbourne, and providing coaching, training, consultation to the team.
• Experience in helping young people overcome AOD challenges, improve their mental health and lead healthy fulfilling lives.
• It is committed to support the Circuit Breaker Refuge team to deliver high quality and healing informed AOD responses and support to young people.
• Passionate about providing direct services as part of the multi-disciplinary team response ensuring young people’s AOD is stabilised and recovery planning underway. Both individual and group-work.
• Excited to help shape our transition to a new collaborative team case management approach.
• Understands the intersections of the AOD and the Mental Health Care Systems and support YP to navigate these systems and establish positive and clear pathways to Recovery.

Essential:

• Relevant qualifications in AOD and Social Work/Youth Work or similar is essential. 
• This is a leadership role - Minimum 4 years’ experience in clinical or community based AOD practice with a strong understanding of trauma, adolescent development and homelessness.  
• Expertise in AOD assessment and working with young people facing substance use, mental health issues and trauma
• Skilled in supervising, coaching and developing individuals and teams
• Experience facilitating group programs for YP with substance use issues
• Strong knowledge of AOD and mental health systems, with ability to navigate services and build relationships with stakeholders 

Screening Criteria:

Satisfactory completion of safety screening including a National Police check, International Police check (if required) a current Victorian Working with Children Check (Employee), current Victorian Driver’s License, and the right to work in Australia.

Applications close 31st July 2025 and may close before the deadline, so please apply early.  Please include your current resume and cover letter. 
Please include your current resume and cover letter with selection criteria responses.
Please review the position description to understand more about the role and responsibilities.  For assistance with your application please email: recruitment@mcm.org.au

Benefits of working with MCM include:

• Benefits of working with MCM include:
• Diverse and inclusive organisation
• Attractive Salary Packaging benefits
• Supportive learning and development environment
• Culture of continuous improvement
• Like minded and supportive Peer Group 

About MCM

MCM is an inclusive and equal opportunity employer with a strong commitment to safety. MCM embraces differences because we know that diversity and inclusion help us to attract, recruit, engage and retain talented people. 
We are a leading not-for profit-for-purpose organisation that offer a broad range of services in Early Years, Disability, Homelessness, Palliative Care and Education.

Our commitment to Safety

At MCM, we embrace differences in gender, age, ethnicity, race, cultural background, disability, religion and sexual orientation. We know that diversity and inclusion help us to attract, recruit, engage and retain a team of talented people. 

Our commitment to Diversity, Inclusion & Equity of Access

MCM is committed to the safety of its clients and employees, taking a zero-tolerance approach to violence within the workplace and abuse, including child abuse and abuse of people with disability. All employees are required to comply with the Child Safe Standards.