Working with young people

Effective and inclusive engagement of young people is supported by a range of key concepts, principles and good practice strategies. The following resources may assist you in designing and delivering a project with young people.

Youth Policy - Building Stronger Youth Engagement in Victoria

Download the PDF (External link)

This Youth Policy was developed in consultation with over 2000 young people and outlines government reforms that are addressing critical issues identified by young people. It reflects the government's commitment to engage more effectively with young people when developing government policies, services and programs. It also includes a Youth Engagement Charter that will guide the way the government engages with young people.

Working with Vulnerable Youth - Key Concepts and Principles

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This document identifies key concepts and principles relevant to understanding and working with vulnerable young people, particularly those aged 12-25. It contains information on risk and protective factors, working with young people from a range of backgrounds and how to get them engaged in programs.

Inclusive Organisations - good practice strategies for engaging young people from migrant and refugee backgrounds in services and programs

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Culturally and linguistically diverse young people have specific needs that are distinct from their peers and adults. This resource provides information to assist organisations to increase their inclusiveness and minimise factors that may act as barriers to participation in programs and services. It also provides a framework that organisations can use to improve their engagement with young people from migrant and refugee backgrounds and enhance good practice across their services and programs.

Working with Indigenous children, families, and communities: Lessons from practice

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A resource to assist organisations to support Indigenous families and communities, including the planning and delivery of services aimed at Indigenous people, cultural competency, staff awareness and building relationships.

Youth Mentoring Hub

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This website provides useful information and resources on how to develop and run a youth mentoring program.

Juvenile Justice in Focus

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The AIC site on juvenile justice has links to various resources, including links to a research publication 'What makes juvenile offenders different from adult offenders' and 'Promising interventions for reducing Indigenous juvenile offending'.