Outreach to the Middle Years in a Community Setting

1. Outreach to the Middle Years in a Community Setting Presenter: Tracey Martin Manager YSAS Youth Support Service (YSS) Southern & Eastern Regions

2. 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

3. 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)

4. 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

5. 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

6. Investing time in Engagement A relationships model • 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.

7. 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

8. Therapeutic case work Delivering 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

9. THANK YOU! Tracey Martin Manger, Youth Support Service Southern & Eastern Metro Regions Youth Support + Advocacy Service Mobile: 0407 861430 Email: tmartin@ysas.org.au