The Empower Youth Program delivered by Swan Hill Rural City Council Youth Support Program seeks to work with  young people who have disengaged or are at risk of disengaging from family, education, and/or community to identify their health, career and wellbeing aspirations.

The program aims to empower young people to engage with a support worker to determine an appropriate individual pathway to achieve their goals and in partnership with other service providers to address, stabilise and overcome any barriers to future success. The program strives to connect disadvantaged young people to education, employment and training opportunities to allow them to develop and grow.

Aims and objectives

1. To strengthen the health and wellbeing of young people
2. To increase participation of young people in the community
3. To engage young people who are at risk of disengaging who have already disengaged from education and training
4. To facilitate pathways to employment for young people

Eligibility and how the program will be delivered

• Participants must be between the ages of 12-25 who are disengaged or at risk of disengaging from family, education and/or community.
• Referral into the program completed through paper based form or online via our website (www.youthinc.net.au). Young Person can self-refer or be referred by Parent/Legal Guardian, School, or other Agency/Service Provider with the young person’s consent.
• Referral will be received and reviewed by Empower staff at intake meeting.  Young person and/or referrer will be contacted to arrange appointment to undertake initial assessment.
• Coaching Young People for Success program will be used to support completion of young person’s aspirational plan. The young person will be involved and supported in the decision making process around the four key areas of health and well-being, community participation, education and training, and pathways to employment.
• Wrap around servicing approach for young person applied, working collaboratively with schools and other educational and training providers, community and health organisations, local businesses and job providers.
• Ongoing intensive, coordinated support for young person provided through regular contact appointments. Young persons aspirational plan continuously reviewed and adjusted as needed to accommodate the changing needs and goals of the young person.