Released 07/05/2021
An evaluation of the Safe and Connected Youth pilot shows the program has successfully reduced the risk of homelessness for all participating young people.
The Safe and Connected Youth pilot, which has been running since October 2019, delivers an outreach program to support children and young people aged 8‑15 years, often referred to as the ‘middle years’. The program provides therapeutic case management support, family mediation and limited short-term respite care to support de-escalation of family conflict and effective mediation.
The report shows that many of the young people involved were able to return home safely. In these cases, the program successfully increased understanding of family dynamics and improved communication in the home. In the cases where a young person was not able to return home, the program was able to steer them away from homelessness through the strategic use of respite accommodation or making alternative arrangements for the young person.
The ACT Government invested an initial $480,000 to fund the trial, which ran between October 2019 and June 2020 as a collaboration between the ACT Government, Youth Coalition of the ACT, Woden Community Services, Northside Community Services, Conflict Resolution Service, Marymead and the Rotary Club of Canberra.
The Government committed a further $840,000 through the COVID Support Package to continue the program to 30 June 2021 and respond to an increased need from families in the program through the pandemic.
Recognising the value of a dedicated respite facility, the Government also allocated $1 million through the Fast-Track (Screwdriver Ready) Program to refurbish a Housing ACT property to support young people under the age of 16 who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness. The redevelopment, which is currently underway, has been informed by close engagement with young people and advice from South Australia’s successful Ruby’s Reunification Program.
Minister for Families and Community Services Rachel Stephen-Smith today welcomed the evaluation report commissioned by the Youth Coalition of the ACT.
“We know that children and young people in the middle years can face challenges that lead to a risk of homelessness or coming into contact with statutory child and youth protection or youth justice systems,” Minister Stephen-Smith said.
“The Safe and Connected Youth program represents an innovative approach to supporting these young people. The Evaluation Report shows this project has delivered strong outcomes for young people and their families – including reducing the risk of homelessness and improving access to services, which are more integrated and coordinated and increasing family communication.
“This whole project has been an exercise in co-design and co-production with our community partners and young people themselves. I am pleased that the report shows the program has been a success and I congratulate our partners for realising and delivering this innovative service for Canberra’s young people.”
“The ACT Government will continue to work with our community sector partners to support children and young people and understand how their needs may change as we continue to navigate the recovery phase of the pandemic," said Minister Stephen-Smith.
- Statement ends -
Rachel Stephen-Smith, MLA | Media Releases