A new community initiative targeting youth disengagement and crime prevention has launched in Melbourne’s north-west.
The Youth Empowerment Program (YEP) is designed to support 10 to 17-year olds with complex life circumstances who are at risk of, or currently engaged in, the justice system.
Over two years, up to 100 children and young people will participate in the program delivered by Saints Education in collaboration with Brimbank council, Brimbank neighbourhood houses, Victoria Police, the Department of Education and The Youth Junction Inc.
The YEP is also backed by $1 million in federal funding.
Dr Karen Hart is the director of research, service improvement and partnerships at Saints Knowledge Institute — the research, training and advocacy arm of Saints Education.
She said the organisation is seeing the program as a “soft re-entry back into education”.
“There are concerningly high numbers of primary school children who are just attending school spasmodically, or not at all,” she said.
“The intention is to reintegrate [children and young people] back into their mainstream school, another education environment or to Saints College…What we want is a tangible outcome.”
Saints College is the organisation’s inclusive school for 12 to 25 year-olds which provides an alternative to mainstream education.
The YEP consists of five Intensive Mini-Projects (IMPs).
Each 12-week IMP combines education, group work, one-on-one case management, and a two-night leadership camp.
“The camp is focussed on confidence building, leadership building… being able to collaborate in social groups through a range of activities,” said Dr Hart.
Sessions are scheduled outside school hours – afternoons, evenings, and weekends – when young people are most vulnerable to risk-taking or criminal activity.
After completing an IMP, young people receive an additional six months of ongoing monitoring and support.
The YEP will be led by a full-time program coordinator and three youth workers, working with children and young people in groups of ten.
“The benefit of smaller groups is that you have the opportunity to work with them individually but not have them singled out,” said Dr Hart.
“We’re going to be working closely in partnership with families as well, as they are integral to stabilising their child’s education.”
