Safe & connected youth program

Rosie was referred to the Safe and Connected Youth Program when she was 14 years old. Rosie had been navigating life through abandoned properties and couch surfing around Canberra when Child Protection Services referred her to the Program. Rosie had left home after a number of escalated incidents which made her siblings feel unsafe. Rosie’s entry into the program marked a critical turning point in addressing her complex mental health presentations, which included self-harming behaviours and substance abuse amidst significant childhood trauma.

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Upon joining the program, Rosie stayed at the therapeutic accommodation providing her with safe accommodation and a circuit breaker from the chaotic lifestyle she had been living. This setting enabled her to engage with therapeutic support tailored to her needs. The therapeutic framework included individual sessions focusing on trauma-informed care and emotional regulation, complemented by group activities that cultivated life and social skills. Rosie’s mother Annie, who was highly stressed by the family dynamics, was integrated into the program to receive support that would allow her to feel confident having Rosie back home. This included dedicated sessions on conflict resolution, setting effective boundaries, and managing her own stress and fatigue from the ongoing family dynamics. As Rosie’s therapeutic engagement progressed, noticeable changes emerged. She began to replace her initial defiance and mistrust with goal-oriented discussions about her future, reflecting a newfound hope and commitment to personal growth. Regular school attendance resumed, and discussions about further education and employment began to form part of her regular planning with her Therapeutic Case Manager.

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Rosie and Annie participated in Family Mediation Sessions, which were pivotal in repairing their relationship. Facilitated by a Family Mediator, these sessions provided a safe space for both to express their feelings and concerns openly. Through supported conversations, they worked on understanding each other’s perspectives and emotional triggers, focusing on respectful communication and perspective-taking.

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The collaborative efforts of the program’s staff, along with the external support from community-based services and educational institutions, played a crucial role in supporting the family’s journey towards reunification and recovery.

James was 12 years old when his mother Heather self-referred her family to the Safe and Connected Youth Program due to escalating behavioural issues at home and in school. James had recently been diagnosed with ADHD and anxiety and Heather felt there wasn’t much support for him at school.

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Initially, James’s difficulties manifested in intense verbal and physical outbursts, which had begun to impact his younger sister, Sammy. Heather, experiencing the strain of single parenting and her own traumatic past, was committed to changing this dynamic.

The family was quickly integrated into the program with a focus on creating a supportive and non-judgmental environment. James stayed at the program’s therapeutic accomodation as a circuit breaker which allowed him to participate in tailored supports where he engaged in activities that combined life skills with therapeutic strategies, fostering both self-reliance and emotional growth. Concurrently, Heather attended counselling sessions aimed at enhancing her parenting skills and understanding of James’s needs. After a few months James and Heather participated in Family Counselling to build their communication and strategies for conflict management at home.

A setback occurred when Heather experienced a significant health complication. At the wishes of the Family, the program staff maintained their support by adapting their approach to the family’s changed circumstances, ensuring that their progress continued.

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After Heather’s recovery, the family re-engaged with the program more intensively. James resumed his stays at the therapeutic accommodation, where he not only continued his counselling but also participated in practical life skills sessions. These sessions James to apply his new coping strategies in a supportive, home-like environment.

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Throughout the program, the Therapeutic Case Manager played a pivotal role in coordinating with James’s school to integrate the strategies he learned into his school environment, enhancing his ability to manage his behaviour both in academic settings and at home.

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As a result of their sustained engagement with the Safe and Connected Youth Program, James and Heather reported a significant reduction in conflicts. James’s behaviour at school improved, and he was sent home less frequently, demonstrating enhanced ability to manage conflicts and emotions.