Success Stories

Step into the Right Direction

A 16 year old girl was referred to the Right Step program, with charges including unlawful assault, underage drinking and theft. Whilst on the Right Step program, a number of underlying factors to the offending behaviours were identified, including substance abuse, mental health issues, disengagement from education and positive pathways, association with negative peers and anger issues.

This young person voluntarily chose to address these issues and commence working on pro-social endeavours to minimise her risk of further re-offending, with goals formulated to establish positive pathways. Referrals to professional services, including assessments for substance use and mental health interventions were accepted by this young person; who worked positively towards her key desired goal to re-engage with education and a targeted vocational training entry into her desired career in childcare.

The young person was very mindful that in order to gain entry into her chosen career she would need to undertake a “Working with Children” and criminal record check and with the charges against her, she might have been excluded from working in the childcare industry.

The young person successfully completed the Right Step program, with her matters discharged by the Court, upon presentation of written and verbal reports from both Youth Connect and stakeholders, including the Police Youth Resource Officer and professional services, which identify the young person had participated meaningfully and had not re-offended whilst on the Right Step program.

The following Case Study provides an insight into the issues that young people face.

A 16 year old male was referred to Right Step after being charged with and Aggravated Burglary. During the first session with his Case Manager the young person had significant barriers to engagement with his family and education. This included drug and alcohol issues, poor literacy and numeracy skills, living in a fatherless household and having left school at 14. While there was a reasonable relationship with his mother there were no boundaries. He started hanging out with older teens and was exposed to a number of drugs and is now quite street savvy.

Initially he had identified employment as being his priority, however after further meetings with his Case Manager he had low self esteem and confidence due to his not being able to read or write. He said he gets embarrassed because he cannot even read street signs! As a result he was not receiving benefits from Centrelink as he was unable to complete the forms. After attempting to apply for the Youth Allowance he gave up after four attempts after repeatedly being asked for more information. He then resorted to asking his mother for small amounts of money.

The Case Manager identified that he did want to return to school and complete his education. He was supported to enrol in a community school where he is now engaged. The Case Manager also assisted him to apply for the Youth Allowance which he is now receiving as well as a Tax File Number. He popped into Youth Connect the other day with a smile on his face and say that his life had changed for the better. He is also engaged with a drug and alcohol worker as he would like to stop his drug use so he can concentrate on his education and aims to become a tradesman in the construction industry.