We want all young people to grow up being safe and healthy, attending and enjoying school, having friends and a positive approach to life.
The Youth Central website has lots of information for young people about studying and training, jobs and careers, advice for life and getting involved.
For young people experiencing challenges, there is the following help available.
Adolescent support program
The adolescent support program aims to assist young people to remain at home, or living independently, This program provides case management to young people in a range of different services across the state.
Finding Solutions
Finding Solutions aims to support the young person and their family to address issues that may lead to family breakdown and divert the young person away from the child protection system.
Finding Solutions is for young people of secondary school age and their families.
For more information, see Child protection contacts.
Youth mental health services
A number of initiatives seek to address the mental health needs of young people and including community adolescent mental health services; intensive mobile youth outreach services; acute inpatient services; and psychiatric disability, rehabilitation and support services.
More information can be found on the youth mental health services page or visit the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (0-18 years) website.
Youth Support Service
The Youth Support Service aims to help young people at risk of entering the youth justice system. Referrals to the Youth Support Service are made by Victoria Police, Youth justice court advisors and internally by agencies providing services to young people. Young people must have had recent contact with Victoria Police, but not be a client of Youth Justice or Child Protection services.
The Youth Support Service aims to work with the young person to comprehensively assess their needs and assist them to develop positive life goals, and access other support and services as required. A young person's involvement with Youth Support Service is on a voluntary basis.
For more information, see the Youth Support and Advocacy website.