Providing bespoke care to vulnerable young people

28 Jun 2017

28 June 2017

Chloe is the Youth Engagement Officer responsible for coordinating the Youth Support Outreach Program; a service that provides intensive support to young people aged 16 to 18 who have disengaged from education and their community supports, to help them to realise a brighter future for themselves. 

The program is part funded by the WA Department of Education North Metropolitan Regional Education Office, and looks to empower young people by identifying their strengths and connecting them to appropriate community support services. 

“I meet with the young people at least weekly, usually in their home environment, to build the foundations of a positive relationship. In the early stages, this can involve communication through a closed door until the young person is ready and feels safe enough to participate in a different way,” she said. 

“The young people I work with all experience some form of social isolation either due to family breakdown, personal or family disability, mental health concerns and sometimes a history of severe bullying at school. 

“The majority are challenged through diagnosed and undiagnosed mental health issues, mainly depression and anxiety – which can be exacerbated through poor sleep, excessive video gaming and substance misuse. 

“The inability to leave home that these young people experience prevents them from being able to feel much reward in life. 

Chloe supports the young people to actively engage with community support services to help them address the factors that are contributing to their social isolation and assist positive emotional wellbeing. 

The program is available to young people are aged 16 – 18, who are socially isolated, do not attend school and are not linked in with other community service providers. In addition, the young person will be challenged by social interaction, sleep difficulties, self-harm or ideation of self-harm, excessive gaming or computer addiction. 

Chloe said the program aims to embrace diversity to celebrate the uniqueness of each individual. 

“I focus on getting to know each young person in order to ensure they are supported in a way that best meets their needs and in an environment that makes them feel safe and comfortable. Regular visits, getting to know their likes and dislikes helps to build their confidence and enables the transition towards a healthier and more positive lifestyle,” she said. 

“While each young person is different, in time most participants begin to contribute more positively to their own social, physical and emotional wellbeing. 

“For me one of the greatest rewards of my role is seeing a young person realise that they can live a happier and healthier life, and supporting them to work towards a brighter future.”