Youth services
The Salvation Army Youth Services offers targeted programs that support young people across Australia on their journey to independence. These programs work together to create intentional avenues for young people to explore opportunities, build support networks, and access, participate in and contribute to their communities.
Our Youth Services provide a range of programs across the following areas:
- Alcohol and Other Drugs
- Driver Training
- Education
- Employment and Training
- Housing and Homelessness
- Specialist Therapeutic Responses
- Youth Justice
*Please be aware than not all services may be provided at every centre.
Our Model of Care
Our Model of Care Journey to Independence is underpinned by both Psychologically Informed Environments (PIE) and Trauma Informed Care (TIC). Both approaches resolve to improve the psychological, social, physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing of children, young people and their families.
Working collaboratively with partner services, we value the dynamic networks that support sustainable outcomes for young people. We commit to actively working alongside young people, and their identified support systems, on their journey to independence.
If you need help, you can find the our youth services below
You can discover some of the networks, programs and services we offer to support young people around Australia below.
- Bundaberg Youth Refuge (QLD)
- Tom Quinn Community Centre (QLD)
- Youth Outreach Service – YOS (QLD)
- Townsville Youth AOD Service (QLD)
- Oasis Hunter (NSW)
- Oasis Central Coast (NSW)
- Oasis Sydney (NSW)
- Youthlink (NSW)
- Oasis ACT (ACT)
- North East Victoria Youth Services (VIC)
- North West Metro Melbourne Youth Services (VIC)
- Peninsula Youth Services (VIC)
- Upton Road/ Tranmere Street (VIC)
- Gippsland Youth Services (VIC)
- Burlendi (SA)
- Muggy’s Country (SA)
- Muggy’s North (SA)
- Muggy’s South (SA)
- Youth Supported Accommodation (SA)
- Transitional Support Service – TSS (WA)
- Oasis House (WA)
- Landsdale House (WA)
- Karratha Youth Accommodation Service (WA)
- Kalgoorlie-Boulder Youth Crisis Accommodation (WA)
Respecting and supporting diversity and inclusion in our Youth Services
The Salvation Army Youth Services Australia works to create spaces where every young person feels a sense of belonging, is respected and valued.
We see the extraordinary strength and resilience of young people from diverse backgrounds however we recognise that the challenges and barriers experienced by young people who are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, LGBTIQA+, culturally and linguistically diverse, living with a disability and/or from migrant or refugee background are often exacerbated. The challenges and barriers experienced can be a result of marginalisation, stigma, racism, discrimination and social exclusion which sees these young people overrepresented among those presenting to Youth Services.
We are committed to making sure our youth programs and services are safe and welcoming spaces as we create opportunities for ALL young people to achieve their full potential.
How we demonstrate our commitment to inclusion in our Youth Services
We know that culture is central to a young person’s identity and sense of belonging. Our practices ensure cultural rights, values, beliefs and expectations are respected. We are committed to delivering culturally safe services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young peoples.
Some of the ways we demonstrate this commitment is through:
- Ensuring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young peoples participate in, and have control over, decision making matters which affect their lives
- Facilitating pathways and opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young peoples to connect with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff members and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations relevant to their needs
- Providing staff with cultural support and professional development in the workplace
- Embracing and participating in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander days of significance; recognising their history, culture and achievements
Our youth programs and services embrace, value and respect cultural difference, demonstrate cultural sensitivity and address cultural biases or inequalities. We are committed to providing young people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds with safe and inclusive services that ensure everyone receives access to the support they need.
Some of the ways we demonstrate this commitment is through:
- Providing access to appropriate and trained interpreters
- Getting to know young people to ensure we have a genuine understanding about what is important to them
- Our staff critically reflect on their own beliefs, values and understanding of culture and are committed to learning to avoid barriers and cultural biases in service delivery
- Our youth programs and services actively engage the expertise of local cultural organisations and individuals to develop our understanding of the unique issues facing our communities
Our youth programs and services are sensitive to, and inclusive of the needs of, LGBTIQA+ young people. We are committed to making sure our services are safe and welcoming spaces enabling LGBTIQA+ young people to thrive.
Some of the ways we demonstrate this commitment is through:
- Maintaining confidentiality and not disclosing a young person’s gender identity, sexual orientation or intersex status without consent
- Respecting young people’s genders by correctly using names and pronouns
- Developing and maintaining relationships with LGBTIQA+ specialist services
- Facilitating LGBTIQA+ training to our staff to ensure our services are inclusive
Our services ensure young people living with a disability can participate fully in all youth programs and services. We focus on abilities and value the unique talents, skills and potential of every young person.
Some of the ways we demonstrate this commitment is through:
- Delivering youth programs and services that are designed in such a way that a young person living with a disability can participate in all programs and activities
- Ensuring our physical and social environments are accessible and safe
- Involving young people as active participants in all discussions and decisions relating to them
- Developing targeted partnerships that facilitate ease of access to the supports young people need