EDGE Integrated Service

Model

Partnerships improving outcomes for disengaged young people

Young people in the North• 19.5% of the regional population are young people aged 12 to

25 years

• 59.3% of youth population attend secondary/tertiary institutions

• School retention rates for the north of Melbourne are between 84% and 90% with Nillumbik being the highest and Moreland being the lowest

• 7.3% of young people aged between 15 and 19 years are disengaged from education/work in the northern region (compared to Melb average of 6% and Victoria average of 7%)

• 0.45% of regional population are homeless, and 35% (or approx 1400) are young people with the majority being young women

Young people at the Interface• In 2006 we had 238,516 young people in ICs• By 2031, 27% of the state’s young people will live ICs• Overall young people will have lower educational achievements

than metro Melbourne• More likely to leave school earlier and to disengage from school

and employment• Less likely to complete year 12 and attend post secondary

education• Have lower TER scores• High prevalence of disengagement and ‘at risk behaviours’• Engage in self-harm behaviours• Experience depressive symptoms

City of Whittlesea

General•2011 estimated population is 162,067, forecast by 2031 is 295,000•Growing Aboriginal community•33% born overseas

Young People•Current number of young people 10 to 25 is 31,000, forecast by 2031 is 58,000•The youth disengagement rate is 16.9%, more than double that of the MSD

Role of Local Government in relation to young people

• Young people are approximately 20% of the population

• Of the 79 Victorian LGAs 98% invest providing (or co-ordinating) youth services

• LGAs are the main providers of generalist youth workers that are close to the ground, flexible and responsive

Local Government Youth Workers

Have a key role :•Civic participation•Prevention and secondary intervention•Leadership in collaborative planning and service delivery•Policy development with State and Federal governments•Sector development•Working with schools offering complementary skills to support parents and teachers with the development of young people

The ‘EDGE’ model• Young people were involved in the design of the building and

the naming• Co-located services cover the service spectrum: prevention,

secondary and tertiary intervention• Some are located on site, others deliver sessionally, some use

the facilities for counselling or programs• Co-location has promoted a shared approach to solutions,

strengthened service effectiveness and addressed all of life issues

• The integrated model is a successful example of cross sector and cross agency collaboration

• Young people have expressed they feel respected and welcomed in the space

The ‘EDGE’ model

• Shared ethos centred on respect for young people• Welcoming environment and quality interactions• Complementary skill sets• On-site, seamless, cross referral process and

secondary consultations• Significant relationships providing young people with

access to support and guidance• Integrated planning and advocacy• Project EDGE: Waiting list program. A Youth

Connections initiative delivered with Kildonan aimed at transition from disengagement

Council and Pavilion partnership