Outreach to the Middle Years in a Community Setting
Presenter: Tracey Martin
Manager YSAS Youth Support Service (YSS)
Southern & Eastern Regions
Vulnerable Young People
who have had first time contact with Victoria Police
YSS target group:
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Aged 10-17
Often a missing Persons,
out of school during school
hours, out of home late
into the evening, property
damage, bullying as victim
or perpetrator, in
possession of a prohibited
weapon.
Additional layers of
vulnerability (learning
disability, family violence,
emotional disregulation,
low SES).
Age differences, gender
differences, cultural
considerations.
Early intervention, prior to
statutory involvement
A new challenge for Youth Workers
What's different working with
the middle years?
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Family/school expectations – “fix” young person
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Impact of Family/school systems –
change resistant
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Issues of informed consent
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Service readiness/goal setting
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Developmentally appropriate interventions
• Impact on “client-centered” practice
(addressing risks and educational engagement)
A new challenge for Youth Workers
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Challenging presentations –
transitions, ID, violence
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Risk Assessment processes
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Information sharing vs confidentiality
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Less tangible “outcomes”
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Limited referral options – specialist
service exclusion
How does YSS Respond
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Family inclusiveness vs family sensitive
Negotiate goals with client and family
Parenting support/skill development
Mature minor principle – program procedure
Policy development – information sharing
Developmentally customized interventions
protective issues - Monitoring/liaising/reporting
Professional Development for Staff
Systems informed assessment practices
Include family in follow up measures
Client participation
Investing time in Engagement
A relationships model
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Handover/family involvement in sessions
Identifying strengths, talents and
passions (not heavily focused on
individual case work goals for this age
range)
A ‘non-blaming’ therapeutic stance
Mentoring/role model role
Commence engagement with recreation,
arts, family and community connection.
Pay attention to language
dealing with attachment and closure.
Family Based Asessment:
What does it include?
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Genogram
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Issues/strengths in each relationship
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History of child protection/family court
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Family needs; current supports, previous
strategies/interventions
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Key circumstances
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Potential supports available
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Views on offending/police contact and YP’s needs
Therapeutic case work
Delivering clinically informed interventions in a non clinical way
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The outreach model, use of vehicles, home visits, schools visits, activities.
Case Management: care planning, case review, co-ordination.
Visual materials – interactive drawing, strength cards, resources.
Therapeutic games- music, feelings dice, bubbles relaxation, feeling balls
Skills development, role play and positive reinforcement
THANK YOU!
Tracey Martin
Manger, Youth Support Service
Southern & Eastern Metro Regions
Youth Support + Advocacy Service
Mobile: 0407 861430
Email: tmartin@ysas.org.au