OUR PEOPLE
Our people are at the core of the work we do and the difference we make to the lives of others. Our team members are passionate about ensuring those we support receive individualised support and are skilled at listening to understand, building trusting relationships and creating spaces free of judgement.
Our team members are dedicated to making a real and sustainable difference in the communities in which we operate. We offer flexible working arrangements, a collaborative culture, individualised training, development opportunities, and a range of lifestyle, financial and wellbeing benefits.
WHERE OUR TEAMS WORK
EMPLOYMENT STATUS
Highlights
This year was defined by transformation, capability building, and recognition, marking one of the most impactful periods of progress for our teams.
A major milestone was the relocation of Youturn’s corporate and support services, along with the StandBy national team, to new offices in Nambour at the end of June. This move was a strategic step towards achieving greater economies of scale, while fostering stronger collaboration and connection between teams. The new space provides an environment that supports efficiency, innovation, and a sense of unity across our workforce.
Youturn also proudly introduced its inaugural Staff Awards, celebrating the outstanding contributions of individuals and teams across all service areas. This initiative strengthened our culture of connection and recognition, shining a spotlight on the dedication and impact of our people, and bringing our values to life.
Further embedding engagement, Youturn delivered its second annual Employee Engagement Survey with Culture Amp, achieving a strong 75% response rate. The survey provided valuable insights into team culture, wellbeing, and recognition, with results showing an overall engagement score of 76%, an improvement from the previous year and 6% above the Australian not-for-profit sector benchmark.
Together, these achievements highlight our commitment to building a connected, capable, and future-ready workforce.
Other achievements
- ELMO, a cloud-based Human Resources Information System (HRIS) is being implemented to improve automation, consistency and visibility of key HR functions, including recruitment, onboarding and analytics.
- Introduced organisation-wide performance reviews via Culture Amp, embedding a consistent, developmental approach to feedback, career growth and alignment with organisational values.
- Launched the first phase of a management development program, equipping leaders with the skills, tools and confidence to build high-performing teams, while reinforcing Youturn’s commitment to psychosocial safety and staff engagement.
- Enhanced recruitment and onboarding processes, providing hiring managers with stronger tools and support to ensure a smoother experience for new starters.
- Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) endorsement – In May 2025, Youturn’s Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) was officially endorsed by Reconciliation Australia, marking a significant milestone in our reconciliation journey. This achievement reflects the work of our RAP Working Group and our commitment to cultural learning, inclusion, and building stronger relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
- Established a cross-functional Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Working Group, developing an initial roadmap to guide future initiatives in cultural safety and inclusion.
Challenges
- Balancing system implementation (ELMO) with ongoing HR, operational and compliance requirements.
- Embedding cultural change — particularly values and performance practices — across a diverse, geographically dispersed workforce.
- Attracting and retaining skilled talent in a competitive job market, especially in regional and remote locations.
- Rapid organisational growth and managing the pressures of this while ensuring systems, processes and technology evolve to sustain efficiency and effectiveness.
Future focus
“Charting a course for a stronger, connected workforce”
- Onboarding processes: Implement feedback-driven improvements and manager toolkits, aiming to achieve an 85% satisfaction rating from new starters across all cohorts.
- Inclusion, equity and cultural safety: Finalise the DEI Working Group’s Terms of Reference, clarify its strategic objectives, and commence initiatives aligned with Youturn’s commitment to inclusion, equity and cultural safety.
- Skills development and engagement: Launch targeted pulse surveys and new learning pathways to address capability gaps, with a goal of achieving 80% satisfaction in staff feedback on development opportunities.
- Reporting mechanisms: Develop data-informed workforce planning to ensure we attract and retain the right talent across all programs and geographies.
- Performance culture: Continue embedding our values through the Leadership Capability Framework, coaching programs, and values-based recognition initiatives.
Advancing reconciliation through action
This year has seen a powerful step forward in Youturn’s reconciliation journey with the development of our first Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), submitted to Reconciliation Australia for endorsement. The Reflect RAP provides a structured and strategic foundation for embedding reconciliation into our organisation’s culture, systems, and day-to-day operations.
The RAP outlines actions under the pillars of Relationships, Respect, and Opportunities—each aligned with our values of cultural safety, inclusivity, and trust. Central to this work has been the formation of a dedicated RAP Working Group and a growing network of RAP Champions, who are driving engagement and accountability across our teams and sites.
Throughout the year, Youturn has prioritised increasing cultural understanding by promoting cultural awareness training, encouraging participation in events like NAIDOC Week and National Reconciliation Week, and ensuring consistent use of Acknowledgement of Country protocols at meetings and events. We’ve also worked to establish stronger partnerships with local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and organisations, guided by the ACOSS Partnership Principles and our internal Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnership Toolkit.
This RAP also highlights our commitment to improving employment pathways and supplier diversity by identifying opportunities to attract, retain and develop Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff and to procure from Indigenous-owned businesses. These efforts reflect our belief that reconciliation must be both symbolic and practical, influencing how we hire, who we partner with, and how we deliver services.
By embedding these actions into our everyday work, Youturn is taking meaningful steps to create a culturally safe organisation for our staff and those we support where First Nations voices are respected, heard, and elevated. Our RAP is not the end point, but the beginning of a long-term, values-driven journey towards reconciliation.
PARTNERSHIPS & STAKEHOLDERS
