KICKSTART MENTORING -
a program for
young people
Our core program is the Kickstart Mentoring Program, a unique service that matches vulnerable young people with qualified Youth Caseworkers (also called mentors) to guide them through a personal turnaround.
How Kickstart helps to turn young lives around
Streetwork youth caseworkers work closely with young people to develop a plan that reflects their needs and aspirations. It is a goal-based plan that has their absolute ownership - aims to build protective factors with the aim of building resilience and their mental and physical wellbeing.
Our mentoring model combines case management with a youth work approach. At the heart of every interaction and engagement opportunity with a vulnerable young person, our youth caseworkers aim to:
1. build trusting relationships - this is key to engaging young people and creating interest
2. empowering young people - this is a partnership between the young person and their youth caseworker 3. using evidence-based strategies - our theory of change ensures we work collaboratively with young people and partners to achieve the best outcomes possible for every individual 4. leveraging powerful tools - we engage with Huber Social to evaluate our program to ensure we are using data to improve our program and services
Through regular face-to-face contact, we assist young people to make better life choices and steer them away from destructive influences and behaviours.
We are non-judgemental and whenever possible, we give positive affirmation and reinforcement of success
along the way.
A Typical Mentoring Plan
Each mentoring program is tailored to meet the young person's specific needs.
Plans often involve a mix of the following:
Issues management - family relationship, anger management, mental health, drug
and alcohol dependencyPersonal development - fitness programs, skill building, developing personal strength,
self-empowermentPractical support - finding employment, housing, legal assistance, returning to school
Useful KickStart Forms and Information
Kickstart Mentoring Program Referral form - click here
Kickstart Mentoring Program Summary - click here
Useful information for Parents - click here
Approved provider - to deliver the DCJ Casework Support Scheme (CSS)
Streetwork is an approved provider of the DCJ CSS scheme to deliver mentoring services and supervised transport services to vulnerable young people in out of home care (OOHC) placements which are managed directly by DCJ.
CSS is a fee-for-service arrangement between DCJ and approved service providers. It enables DCJ frontline caseworkers to purchase additional support services to meet the needs of vulnerable children and young people in out-of-home care (OOHC) placements which are managed directly by DCJ. The aim of CSS is to establish a panel of approved service providers who can deliver a suite of clearly defined, sustainable, quality and child safe, fee-for-services that support caseworkers to meet the needs of children.
Click here for more information
A Streetwork Youth Caseworker (Also know as mentor)
