YOUTH services across Ballarat are uniting in a bid to ensure no young person in the region slips through the cracks.
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A new Ballarat Youth Services Network will bring together more than 70 organisation for the first time, in a bid to provide more support for those working with the most vulnerable youth in the community.
The inaugural forum comes after headspace Ballarat, Highlands LLEN and Ballarat Group Training staff together identified a need for more worker support and greater integrated reponses within Ballarat youth services.
They put the question out to other youth services across the city and more than 70 agencies responded.
headspace Ballarat manager Janelle Johnson said the level of response proved there was an overwhelming need for a group like this.
“We all work to support vulnerable people in different ways. It’s also important that we look after ourselves,” Ms Johnson said.
“The BYSN will provide a great way to connect workers across the field to share knowledge and create professional development.”
Youth service agencies in Ballarat respond to a wide range of needs including homelessness, mental health, sexual health, addiction and family issues.
Ms Johnson said many young clients require the assistance of more than one agency and the BYSN would offer workers in the field with a greater awareness and understanding in the work of companion agencies.
“This is an exciting opportunity for youth works and services in Ballarat to really come together to provide best practice,” Ms Johnson said. BYSN will meet for the first time next Tuesday at Ballarat Town Hall.
