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:• 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?• Family/school expectations – “fix” young person

• Impact of Family/school systems –

change resistant

• Issues of informed consent

• Service readiness/goal setting

• Developmentally appropriate interventions

• Impact on “client-centered” practice

(addressing risks and educational engagement)

A new challenge for Youth Workers

• Challenging presentations –

transitions, ID, violence

• Risk Assessment processes

• Information sharing vs confidentiality

• Less tangible “outcomes”

• Limited referral options – specialist

service exclusion

How does YSS Respond

• 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

• 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.

A relationships model

Family Based Asessment:

What does it include?

• Genogram

• Issues/strengths in each relationship

• History of child protection/family court

• Family needs; current supports, previous strategies/interventions

• Key circumstances

• Potential supports available

• Views on offending/police contact and YP’s needs

Therapeutic case workDelivering clinically informed interventions in a non clinical way

• 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