Theresa Laybourn

I currently lead a multidisciplinary team of youth and case workers, delivering high-quality, client-centred support to vulnerable children and young people, with a youth justice focus. I drive service excellence through the implementation of best practice frameworks aligned with Youth Off The Streets’ values and strategic objectives.

Key responsibilities and achievements:

• Provide leadership, supervision, and coaching to team members, setting clear performance expectations and conducting regular PDP reviews and monthly supervisions.
• Empower the team by delegating responsibilities based on individual strengths and areas of expertise, fostering a collaborative and high-performing culture.
• Resolve team conflicts constructively, maintaining a positive and supportive work environment.
• Deliver TCI-7 training to ensure all staff are qualified and confident in therapeutic crisis intervention practices.
• Oversee compliance with funding contracts, ensuring timely reporting and consistent achievement of program KPIs.
• Apply for additional funding to enhance service delivery and expand program capacity.
• Manage the site budget to ensure responsible financial oversight and alignment with funding agreements.
• Develop and maintain the site’s Operations Manual to support consistent, high-quality service delivery.
• Collaborate with internal teams and external service providers to strengthen referral pathways and integrated support networks.
• Contribute to strategic planning, internal audits, and continuous improvement initiatives to enhance service outcomes.
• Lead the transformation of the Logan site from the lowest to the highest performing Engagement and Support program service location through targeted leadership, operational improvements, and a strong focus on team development.

• Advocated for the rights and needs of young people, contributing to care team meetings and case planning.
• Supported continuous improvement through participation in audits, reviews, and service planning.
• Built strong relationships with Child Safety Officers, case managers, schools, and health professionals.
• Responded to incidents and behaviours of concern using therapeutic crisis intervention strategies.
• Maintained accurate records and reporting in line with funding and regulatory requirements
• Maintained compliance with OOHC standards, Child Safety legislation, and organisational policies.

• Encouraged clients'' sense of responsibility for their recovery journey by teaching them essential coping strategies and relapse prevention techniques, to increase opportunities to remain in community.
• Mentored new Recovery Coaches, sharing best practices and contributing to their professional development.
• Gathered information about useful resources and helped coordinate referrals.
• Facilitated connections between clients and peer support groups, fostering a strong network for continued success post-treatment.
• Utilised motivational interviewing techniques to help clients identify barriers to recovery and develop strategies for overcoming them.
• Provided crisis intervention services when necessary, connecting clients with appropriate emergency resources as needed.
• Collaborated with treatment teams to develop comprehensive care plans, ensuring a holistic approach to client recovery.

• YP Space MNC is a specialist youth homelessness service that works with young people aged 12-25 to provide support and accommodation options.
• My role as Team leader of the Port Macquarie YP Space office required:.
• Overseeing the operations of the Port Macquarie location and ensuring program areas are achieving intended goals.
• Work with the EO in implementing intended change processes, including identifying areas of growth and working towards this growth for the organisation.
• Supervision of the YPS Team to ensure policies and procedures are implemented.
• Monitoring CIMS database systems and ensuring correct data lodgement.
• Completing monthly Validata reporting for the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.
• Conducting of monthly supervision for all case workers.
• Overseeing caseloads and allocations of young people.
• Debriefing with staff after critical incidents.
• Assess and monitor the crisis accommodation, inclusive of approving in-house residents through capacity and risk assessments.
• 24/7 on call duties for crisis accommodation and out of hours’ responses.
• Manage human resources effectively and where applicable raise relevant staffing issues or conflict with the EO.
• Manage a case load, with work completed in the HYAP cohort.
• Sitting on Panel’s for youth homelessness housing products and allocations of young people for Rent Choice Youth product.
• Working with key stakeholders and advocating for youth housing solutions and the rights of young people.
• Working with other Team Leaders in the organisation to achieve goals for YP Space MNC as a collective.

• My requirements as a youth specialist case worker for YP Space:.
• Engage and meet with young people and referral agencies to assess young people’s need, complete Assessments and develop holistic Case Plan.
• Provide Intensive Case Management support to access stable accommodation and develop independent living skills with young people, if family placements are not a relevant option;.
• Implement Trauma informed case management strategies;.
• Implement and/or support referral to appropriate family mediation & alternative dispute resolution strategies with families;.
• Work with young people and their families/communities to facilitate strong relationships and support structures for young people;.
• Provide effective, sustainable and integrated young person-focused approach.
• Develop and document strength- base case planning and review processes in partnership with children and young people.
• Work directly with young people and families where appropriate providing a range of interpersonal services including; information, referral, advocacy, coaching and counselling to identify strengths, work towards future goals and overcome barriers.
• Support young people to remain engaged in education, training and/or employment;.
• Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with stakeholders and other service providers in the sub-region.
• Communicate with relevant individuals, services, organisations and departments to advocate on behalf of children and young people
• Provide effective, sustainable and integrated young person-focused approach with all residents
• Work developmentally with young residents to develop their independent living skills;.
• Maintain appropriate confidential young person records, information systems and reporting processes in line with YPS Policy & Procedures;.
• Work collaboratively with YPS Case Workers to ensure a continuum of support for individual young people;.
• Complete daily chore duties;.
• Implement OHS responsibilities as required;.
• Report to Operations Manager in relation to incidents on site;.
• Implement culturally appropriate support strategies with young residents;.
• Collect and document referral information;.
• Manage young people’s medications in line with YPS Policy & Procedures;.
• Provide written Hand-over to Operations Manager and YPS Case Workers.
• August 2015 - june 2016 wish COORDINATOR, make-a-wish foundation, port macquarie.
• Home visits conducted with seriously ill-children and their families to help capture the child’s one true wish.
• Follow up contact conducted with families to enhance the Wish experience and provide accurate details of the wish-planning phase between Head office and the families.
• Focus on creating a fun and exciting atmosphere for families and children, while remaining empathetic of client circumstances and following Duty of care/confidentiality policies and procedures.
• Attending monthly meetings with focus on the planning and conducting of fundraising opportunities and events.

• Provided holistic case managment support to Children and Young people at risk of, and experiencing, youth homelessness.
• Maintained up-to-date records on all Children and Young People, enabling accurate monitoring of progress and appropriate case planning adjustments.
• Maintained high level of client confidentiality, following strict guidelines, and legislative requirements.
• Developed strong partnerships with local organisations, expanding available resources for children and young people.
• Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams for improved client outcomes and coordinated care.