Youth Support
Service

The Youth Support Service (YSS) provides case management for young people aged 10 – 17 years upon first contact with police. The program offers proactive support and early intervention to divert young people from the youth justice system.

YSS is a voluntary program for young people who need some additional support to make positive changes in their lives. Our youth workers build strong and trusting relationships with young people and their families to navigate challenging issues like risky behaviours that can lead to a negative spiral.

Funded by the Victorian Government’s Department of Justice and Community Safety, our YSS program operates within the Local Government Areas of Hobsons Bay, Maribyrnong and Moonee Valley.

The program provides intensive support to young people through counselling and support they need to help turn their lives around. Importantly, our youth workers have links to a comprehensive range of support services including:

• Mental health
• Drug and alcohol counselling
• Education and recreation
• Training and employment services
• Housing
• Family support services

Working closely with local schools, police and other service providers, the YSS team engages and connects with young people, assisting them to reconnect with their families, education and community.

We also provide support to help the young person understand and manage the justice system.

Young people must have come into contact with police, be aged between 10 and 17 years and reside in the following Local Government Areas:

• City of Hobson’s Bay
• City of Maribyrnong
• City of Moonee Valley

During 2023-24, our State Government funded Youth Support Service (YSS) funded the Les Twentyman Foundation to work with 105 young people over the 12-month period. However, so great was the demand for this service that we exceeded 105 and assisted an additional 20 young people in the YSS program with a further 20 young people directed into our Youth Outreach program. The additional 40 young people we worked with (a 38 percent increase) were not funded by the State Government but were funded by the Foundation from the generosity and kindness of our donors. Our research demonstrates the profound impact of our efforts, showing over 80% of the kids we work with have no further contact with the police while the Les Twentyman Foundation is working with them.

The demographics of the young people we support reveal significant challenges:

• 64% were living with a single parent
• 11% were staying with other family members or friends
• 6.4% were homeless or living in out-of-home care

These figures underscore the essential role we play in providing stability and support to vulnerable and at-risk youth. We are committed to continuing our mission and making a lasting and positive difference in the lives of these young individuals.