OUR PEOPLE
This year, the People and Performance Team made significant strides in enhancing the employee experience and creating a balanced work environment.
Highlights for the year
Key initiatives included the introduction of five wellness days annually, 12 weeks of company-paid parental leave, and a paid holiday closure period, allowing staff to prioritise their wellbeing.
We revised HR policies to align with changes in the Fair Work Act, ensuring inclusivity and fairness, and increased the professional development budget for enhanced training opportunities. Additionally, we rolled out the Rewards Gateway, offering exclusive discounts on essentials, and revamped our employee referral program to attract top talent. These initiatives reflect our commitment to building a supportive, empowering workplace where employees feel valued and can thrive.
Other achievements
- Supporting Youturn’s growth: Successfully engaged 141 new staff members, reinforcing our workforce capabilities and supporting Youturn’s strategic growth objectives.
- Wellbeing Webinar trainings: Conducted a series of monthly Wellbeing Webinars that equipped employees with tools to manage stress, improve mental health, and foster work-life balance.
- Implementation of Employee Engagement Surveys: Launched comprehensive Employee Engagement Surveys to gather insights on staff satisfaction, areas for improvement, and overall workplace experience.
- Youturn culture: Introduced initiatives such as the All of Youturn Conference aimed at enhancing workplace culture, which has resulted in more positive feedback from staff.
- Remuneration and Job Framework Analysis: Undertook a thorough Remuneration and Job Framework Analysis to ensure competitive compensation structures and clear career progression pathways.
Challenges
- Attracting skilled talent: Recruiting professionals with the right skills and experience, particularly in remote regions, remains a significant challenge amidst a competitive job market.
- Technological gaps: As Youturn transitions to hybrid working models, technological challenges have emerged, highlighting the need to evolve systems and processes to sustain operational efficiency.
- Navigating legislative changes: Adapting to ongoing changes in legislation has required continuous adjustments to ensure compliance, particularly with new regulatory requirements impacting workforce management and operations.
- Managing rapid growth: Youturn’s rapid expansion has placed pressure on scaling processes and systems to support an increasing workforce while maintaining high standards of service delivery across diverse locations.
Future focus
- Skills development & onboarding: Conduct a comprehensive skills gap analysis and enhance onboarding programs to ensure targeted training, seamless integration for new employees, and alignment with Youturn’s culture and goals.
- Employee recognition & retention: Strengthen employee recognition programs and implement a comprehensive exit interview process to boost retention, morale, and job satisfaction.
- Performance & growth: Introduce a revamped performance appraisal system to provide actionable feedback, support career progression, and align employee goals with organisational objectives.
CASE STUDY
10 years with Youturn
This year, we celebrate Natalie Clark’s remarkable milestone – 10 years of dedication and service at Youturn. Natalie’s journey with us began as she completed her placement hours with our Homelessness team, eventually leading to her first role at the Golden Beach Shelter. Drawn to Youturn’s commitment to the community, she quickly transitioned into a full-time role as a Case Officer. Over the past decade, Natalie’s career has evolved through various positions, from Case Officer in the Supported Independent Living (SIL) program to Team Leader, and now as Program Coordinator for both Residential Care and SIL programs. Her drive to develop processes and frameworks has been pivotal in shaping the success of these programs today.
Throughout her career, Natalie has faced some challenges, particularly in learning to emotionally separate from the high-risk young people she has worked with. She credits her colleagues and the team culture for supporting her through those difficult early years. Building trust, equality, and empowerment has been at the heart of Natalie’s leadership approach. Her passion for making a difference in the lives of young people aligns perfectly with Youturn’s mission, and she takes great pride in the relationships she’s built with both her peers and the young people she supports.
One of Natalie’s proudest contributions has been her involvement with the Classy Lady event, an initiative that provides a Christmas experience for over 300 families annually, including many from Youturn. Her work with this event has filled her with joy, knowing she’s made a meaningful impact on the lives of vulnerable families. As we celebrate her 10-year anniversary, we are grateful for Natalie’s commitment, leadership, and the lasting impact she’s had on Youturn’s mission to empower young people and support their dreams.
I love the relationships I have developed with the young people and the feeling that I am making a difference in their life. My work colleagues are my second family, we laugh together, cry together, and experience challenges together, yet we never make judgements. I am extremely passionate about making a difference in people’s lives and I wake up every morning eager to go to work, never hesitating or doubting my commitment.
Natalie Clark
Youturn and headspace have offered me a great opportunity to start my career. I love working here – I feel supported and accepted – I have learnt so much from the team I work with.
Justice
Youturn Staff
I love seeing the positive change in the young people that come into headspace Maroochydore. Some being so anxious checking in for the first time, to being able to chat to us on reception openly and wanting to join in on groups.
Emma Pollard
Youturn Staff
My biggest win in the past 12 months was stepping into a case management role temporarily and receiving some great feedback from the clients that I worked with.
Tyra Smith-McLauchlan
Youturn Staff
OUR REACH
