EDGE Integrated Service
Model
Partnerships improving outcomes
for disengaged young people
Young people in the North
• 19.5% of the regional population are young people aged 12 to
25 years
• 59.3% of youth population attend secondary/tertiary institutions
• School retention rates for the north of Melbourne are between
84% and 90% with Nillumbik being the highest and Moreland
being the lowest
• 7.3% of young people aged between 15 and 19 years are
disengaged from education/work in the northern region
(compared to Melb average of 6% and Victoria average of 7%)
• 0.45% of regional population are homeless, and 35% (or
approx 1400) are young people with the majority being young
women
Young people at the Interface
• In 2006 we had 238,516 young people in ICs
• By 2031, 27% of the state’s young people will live ICs
• Overall young people will have lower educational achievements
than metro Melbourne
• More likely to leave school earlier and to disengage from school
and employment
• Less likely to complete year 12 and attend post secondary
education
• Have lower TER scores
• High prevalence of disengagement and ‘at risk behaviours’
• Engage in self-harm behaviours
• Experience depressive symptoms
City of Whittlesea
General
• 2011 estimated population is 162,067,
forecast by 2031 is 295,000
• Growing Aboriginal community
• 33% born overseas
Young People
• Current number of young people 10 to 25 is
31,000, forecast by 2031 is 58,000
• The youth disengagement rate is 16.9%,
more than double that of the MSD
Role of Local Government
in relation to young people
• Young people are approximately 20% of
the population
• Of the 79 Victorian LGAs 98% invest
providing (or co-ordinating) youth
services
• LGAs are the main providers of
generalist youth workers that are close
to the ground, flexible and responsive
Local Government Youth
Workers
Have a key role :
• Civic participation
• Prevention and secondary intervention
• Leadership in collaborative planning and service
delivery
• Policy development with State and Federal
governments
• Sector development
• Working with schools offering complementary skills
to support parents and teachers with the
development of young people
The ‘EDGE’ model
• Young people were involved in the design of the building and
the naming
• Co-located services cover the service spectrum: prevention,
secondary and tertiary intervention
• Some are located on site, others deliver sessionally, some use
the facilities for counselling or programs
• Co-location has promoted a shared approach to solutions,
strengthened service effectiveness and addressed all of life
issues
• The integrated model is a successful example of cross sector
and cross agency collaboration
• Young people have expressed they feel respected and
welcomed in the space
The ‘EDGE’ model
Council and Pavilion partnership
•
•
•
•
Shared ethos centred on respect for young people
Welcoming environment and quality interactions
Complementary skill sets
On-site, seamless, cross referral process and
secondary consultations
• Significant relationships providing young people with
access to support and guidance
• Integrated planning and advocacy
• Project EDGE: Waiting list program. A Youth
Connections initiative delivered with Kildonan aimed
at transition from disengagement