Youth Support Service

What is the Youth Support Service?

• The Youth Support Service (YSS) is a new service designed to intervene early and divert young people away from the youth justice system by addressing the underlying causes of their offending and risk taking behaviour.

• The YSS approach is client-centred, holistic, developmentally appropriate, family sensitive and culturally inclusive.

• YSAS provides the Youth Support Service for metropolitan Melbourne (SMR, EMR, NWMR) and Latrobe Valley and is funded by the Victorian Government. A team of 23 workers deliver the YSS.

Who is the target group?

• The target group for the YSS is young people aged from 10 to 17 years who are at risk of becoming involved in, or are in the early stages of involvement with youth justice (that is, those young people not subject to a statutory court order)Young people and families may exhibit a number of presenting issues requiring a range of interventions, however will have as central a need to resolve immediate issues threatening the family relationship and placing the young person at risk of requiring an out of home care placement. Young people and families may exhibit a number of presenting issues requiring a range of interventions, however will have as central a need to resolve immediate issues threatening the family relationship and placing the young person at risk of requiring an out of home care placement..

• Young people who are current clients of Youth Justice are not eligible for the YSS.

Who can refer to the Youth Support Service?

Referrals to YSS will be made via Victoria Police as a result of police contact with a young person.

How does the Youth Support Service work?

• The YSS is cost free, confidential and voluntary.

• Victoria Police will make a referral to the YSS once consent from the young person and their parent/guardian is given verbally or in person.

• Following initial contact, the YSS will undertake a holistic assessment of the young person’s needs, whilst also taking into account the needs of the family. As part of the assessment process, YSS will identify short and long term goals with the young person and their family/carer along with an analysis of the social relationships and community connections available to assist in the achievement of these goals.

• Individual support planning in consultation with other relevant services, the provision of supported referrals and linkages and case review/follow up are integral features of the YSS model.

• As an early intervention service, the YSS has capacity to work with young people for up to six months depending upon the young person’s needs and goals. Through a formal review process, professional judgement will be applied to determine whether further support from the YSS is required.

• YSS works with a young person to identify situations that may impact on their risk taking and/or anti-social behaviour and assists the young person to develop strategies to address any associated risks or harms.

• Simultaneously the YSS, working from a strengths-based approach, assists the young person to build upon and develop their identified skills, interests and capabilities.

• The YSS works with a young person to establish and/or enhance community supports that reinforce their capacity to feel connected and make a positive contribution both within their local environment and more broadly.

Better outcomes for young people

The YSS works to achieve better outcomes for and with young people including:

• Diversion from the youth justice system;

• Increased opportunities for connection to and participation in positive community activities and supports;

• A sense of belonging and connection to an identified network of supportive relationships (including friends, family or other adult/s);

• Engagement in education, training or employment and;

• Stable accommodation and improved independent living skills.

Further information

If you have any further questions or require more information about the YSS please contact:

For all Melbourne Metro’ areas: 1 800 339 897 (toll free)

Latrobe Valley:  (03) 5133 3411