Youth and Families

Giving young people & their families support & opportunities

Youth Programs are a major part of West Coast Youth & Community Supports role within the community, with over 200 young people supported each year.

This support includes; education, social, youth justice, mental health, housing, drug and alcohol, disability, transition support and night bus outreach support.

All of our Youth programs are based on the principles of genuine Youth Participation where Youth initiate shared decisions with adults and activities are Youth led in consultation with Youth Workers as equal partners. Our Youth Workers walk alongside young people to achieve goals identified by the young person. 

Programs run for youth by WCYCS include;

• Department of Human Services funded Youth Support and Development program. This Program supports young people aged 15-18 to develop independent living skills. Focus areas are around connection, feelings, and life skills such as budgeting, cooking, finding a rental and moving to Adelaide. 

• Department of Human Services funded Service to Aboriginal Youth (STAY) program. This program provides case management support for. Aboriginal Youth. Support can include linking to other support services, education, health and community groups etc. With a strong connection to the Mallee Park Football Club, STAY workers are often seen coaching and supporting the junior teams.

• Youth Volunteering opportunities particularly for events such as the annual skate comp, youth week events and Friday night basketball.

• 4Real Life Skills program.

• Youth Leadership Camps Port Lincoln and to the far West Coast.

  Charter of Rights for Children and Young People in Care

  The Charter of Rights for Children and Young People in Care sets out the rights of children and young people who are under the guardianship of the Chief Executive of the Department for Child Protection.

  It is based on the United Nations Conventions on the Rights of the Child and was developed with the help of children and young people who have lived in care. Because they know what it is like, they know what is important.

  Organisations who work with children and young people in care must make sure they uphold these rights in the work they do.

  Anyone who is formally involved with children in care, such as a social worker or carer, must  ‘seek to implement to the fullest extent possible, the terms of the Charter’, as outlined in the Children and Young People (Safety) Act 2017.

  West Coast Youth and Community Support strive to uphold these rights and terms of the Charter at all times.

  Adulting Guide for young adults

  West Coast Youth and Community Support, District Council of Lower Eyre Peninsula, City of Port Lincoln and young adults of our communities have created a ‘How to Nail Adulting' Guide to assist young people transition out of home.

  The Guide provides information about things to consider such as:

  • finding a place to live,

  • choosing a house mate,

  • recipes,

  • tips on managing finances,

  • catching public transport; and

  • much more.

  The guide is available for download, or a hardcopy guide is available at West Coast Youth and Community Support, Port Lincoln Library, the City of Port Lincoln and District Council of Lower Eyre Peninsula Council Offices and websites.

  The Guide was made possible by the Department of Human Services' Youth-led COVID-19 Recovery Grants.