Family and Youth Support Service
We offer support and advocacy services for young people in the Ipswich and Western Districts regions.
What is Family and Youth Support Services?
The Base Support Services Inc. Family and Youth Support Services (FAYSS) Program is funded by the Department of Youth Justice, Employment, Small Business and Training to deliver a youth offender focussed program within the Ipswich and Western Districts regions.
Our dedicated case workers recognise that life isn’t always easy and doesn’t always go to plan. We are focused on helping you to figure out positive ways to move forward with your life and will support you to achieve your goals.
We can also help other family members that you live with to help them to be in a better position to support you.
Who can access the Family and Youth Support Services Program?
Any young person who is involved with Ipswich or Western Districts Youth Justice Service Centres.
Any young person who is at risk of being involved in Youth Justice and displaying antisocial behaviour.
Any young person aged between 8 and 9 years old and displaying anti-social behavior that may lead to involvement with Youth Justice and/or have siblings or family members in contact with Youth Justice.
How do I access the Family and Youth Support Services Program?
Referrals are accepted as a priority from Ipswich and Western Districts Youth Justice Service Centres however referrals may also be accepted from Queensland Police Service, Youth Justice/Queensland Police Service Co-responder team, Legal Representatives, Youth Justice Detention Centre/Watchhouse, Community Justice Groups, Family, Self-referral, other NGO’s, other Government agencies.
Contact us today to talk about engaging with our program.
What support can the program provide?
- Our case workers will advocate for you and help you to achieve your goals
- We can help you get to court and to your youth justice commitments
- We can help with accessing and navigating Centrelink
- We can help you to get I.D, Birth Certificates, Medicare, Bank accounts and other necessary documentation
- We can refer you to other services and supports (accommodation, education, employment/training, mental health, etc.)
- We can help you to access Food hampers, vouchers, clothing, school supplies, etc.
- We can help you to improve relationships with your family and friends by helping you with communication skills and offering support to your family as well
- We can help you to become more independent
- We can help you to navigate going back to school, study or finding work
- We can help you to make better choices in your life that will lead you away from getting in trouble with the police
How long does the program run for?
The program runs for 12 weeks.
What if I still need help after 12 weeks?
Your case worker will work closely with you to ensure you are not left without support at the end of the 12 weeks.
What happens if I don’t want to do the program any more? Will it affect my Youth Justice orders?
No. The program is voluntary and not part of your youth justice orders. If you don’t want to work with us anymore you can stop at any time. We will give you information in an exit pack to help you if you need in the future.
Want local support from people who care?
Life can be challenging sometimes. That’s why we seek to understand and provide tailored support to help individuals, families and the broader Goodna, Ipswich, Springfield and surrounding communities.
What things do you typically help with?
We help with a range of things depending on your situation. It can be helping you to attend court and Youth Justice reporting requirements, helping you to get your learners license, bank account, medicare card, photo ID and birth certificates, helping you to re-engage with school or gain employment, we can help build your resume and take you to job interviews, we can help you to access recreational activities and link in with culturally appropriate services that meet your individual needs, we can assist you to access centrelink, food hampers and other items such as school supplies or work uniforms. We can also help your family if they need support such as accessing health and mental health services, employment, we can assist to link in with housing services and help you get prepared to apply for housing options. We work within your local community to find supports that help with your individual situation.
What are caseworkers?
Case workers are typically university trained professionals who will sit down with you and your family (if you choose) to discuss what you are needing help with and develop a case plan based on those needs. A case plan outlines the steps you need to take to achieve your goals. Sometimes there are small steps to take to get to the bigger goals. For example if you are looking to get a job, you must first have a resume and then know how to apply for a job. You then might need to practice being interviewed so that when you are asked to come in for an interview you are prepared. You might also need appropriate interview clothes and you will also need a bank account and Tax File Number. Caseworkers are able to help with all of those things and can even take you to your interview. Caseworkers might then work with you to figure out how you will get to work and help you to get into a routine so that you can get to work on time.
