Junction has piloted a new program, Diverge, to support young people who are at risk of engaging in criminal and anti-social behaviour. The aim is to empower 13- to 21-year-old young people and their families to overcome difficult circumstances. By strengthening protective factors for young people, we aim to reduce their involvement in the youth justice and legal systems, increase their commitment to education, employment and training. The program also provides positive impacts for the young person’s mental health and self-esteem, while also fostering a positive connection with their community. Diverge was delivered in partnership between Junction, Victoria Police, Youth Justice, Wodonga TAFE, and other service providers. It is an early intervention approach which supports young people from entering the Police, Youth Justice, or Criminal Justice systems.
Diverge offered three-streams of support through the support of an Intake and Case Coordinator. The Intake and Case Coordinator provided an initial assessment and screening process to determine which streams of support were best suited to the young person:
Junction uses a strengths-based, client-centred, trauma-informed approach based on the Positive Youth Development (PYD) Model. The Diverge program is delivered by a multidisciplinary team and utilises a whole-of-team approach when supporting young people and their families/caregivers.
The Positive Youth Development (PYD) Model considers the individuals holistic environment and aims to increase their personal development across the following Five Cs: Competence, Confidence, Connection, Character and Caring.
Junction used the PYD Pre-and-Post survey to determine growth and positive outcomes across the Five Cs to demonstrate growth for individuals across their program journey. Young people were provided opportunities to share their experiences of Diverge, this included:
Key lessons include:
A combination of engagement strategies is critical to ensure a service is provided to meet individual needs.
Research and Development Manager, Junction Support Services
Annie holds a Bachelor of Youth Affairs (Youth Work), Certificate IV in Training and Assessment and Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) Trainer Associate Certification. Annie has more than 18 years’ experience working for Junction Support Services. During this time Annie has worked across multiple programs across both the voluntary and statutory community services sector.
Diverge Youth Engagement Worker, Junction Support Services
Hazel holds her Diploma in Outdoor Recreation and has spent the past 11 years working with both young people and adults in her various roles. From coordinating and facilitating school camps, to sea kayak guiding in the Canadian wilderness, to running her own retreat-based business for mums and daughters, Hazel has a strong passion for working with young people. Hazel is an advocate for young people who are neurodivergent, in particular, and uses her own experiences to show her clients that their brains aren’t broken or wrong, but simply different in their own fun ways and something to be celebrated.
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