This session explains the processes involved with getting a peer program of the ground at St. Johns Youth Service in South Australia. A major component to getting the program running was a research project that explored which participation models work best for peer programs. The finding of this research is presented here. If viewers would like to see the research paper from the project please visit www.stjohnsyouthservices.org.au. This presentation was given by Bria Partridge, St. Johns Youth Service and Krystal Hancock, a young person.

1. Tell Someone Who Cares!
Researching Youth Participation Models and their Application to
Youth Homelessness Services
A Presentation by Bria Partridge, Tristan Webster & Krystal Hancock

2. St Johns Youth Services
St Johns Youth Services was started in 1981
Only emergency youth accommodation in
metro Adelaide
Next Step Outreach Program
Ladder SVS (Medium term Foyer model)

3. Our Mission
Empowering young people by
providing accommodation and
support, building community, and
assisting them toward independent
housing.

4. Humble Beginnings
Barriers young people face
Young people to be a voice for positive
change in addressing youth homelessness.
research and participate in opportunities to educate the wider
community about youth homelessness
How could young people participate in and inform all aspects of St
Johns Youth Services’ development, delivery and implementation

6. Preparations

7. And Their Off……
Objectives were agreed upon
Youth Consultant Job Description compiled
Opportunities sought.
We identified that a project co-ordinator was
needed

8. Objectives Identified Early
Advocating for the needs of homeless young people to the
wider community
Educating the community about youth homelessness, and
reduce stigma
Recognising the strength and expertise of young people who
have experienced homelessness and disadvantage
Participating in the research, development and evaluations
of services and programs to ensure that they meet the needs
of homeless young people
Improving awareness, information and access to
homeless/youth services

9. Why Did We Research?
We needed to pick a model that would assist and empower
young regardless of their situation
Young people need to be assured that they are being listened
to, taken seriously and used for change… which model would
they feel did this best?

10. Why Did We Research?
Sustainability of the project was a high priority
A need to identify the differing features of each model
was established.
Risks and challenges needed to be identified to aid in
the decision making

11. The 3 Models
1. Peer Education
2. Peer Mentoring
3. Youth Participation/Youth Consultants

12. Research Methodology
• External Service Providers – Learning from those who
have gone before us
• Workers – Listening to the people who work with
young people every day
• Young People – Asking young people what is important
and what they would like to participate in (instead of
assuming we know)
• Literature – Finding out what has already been
researched and the outcomes achieved

13. The 4 Pillars of Our
Research
All consultations were structured differently
but to ensure the integrity of the research we
structured our questions under these 4
headings:
Target Group
Benefits and Outcomes
Risks and challenges
Strategies/CHALLENGES
STRATEGIES

14. Consultations
Staff Training Day and Consultation
(conducted by young people)
Manager Consultations
Interviews with external service providers
Youth consultations

16. Young Persons Quote:
“Sometimes you need a worker to be strict on you, but
we ALWAYS need someone who understands and
listens… (to Krystal)
I totally respect what you’re doing!”

17. What Else Did Young People
Have to Say?

19. Conclusions
That the 3 models are fundamentally different but
elements of each to be included in the final projects
development
That Peer mentoring not a viable option
That informal mentoring relationships will be
encouraged and supported

20. Conclusions
That Peer Education opportunities will be deliverable
through a Youth Consultant model.
That the Youth Consultant model was considered to be
the most relevant to young people and suitable for the
diverse range of young people we support
That Youth Consultant Training will equip young people
with the specialised knowledge and skills to participate in
SJYS and advocate for young people

21. Conclusions
That resources be secured to ensure the project is
sustainable (becomes a program)
That policies and procedures should be developed (or
amended) to support the recruitment and of Youth
Consultants
That SJYS should commit to ensuring meaningful and
relevant participation opportunities

22. Project Development- Where
to From Here?

23. Project Development……
What has happened since’
and where to from here?
2011
Youth Consultation
Bring young people together to explain the outcomes of the
research
Gather registrations of interest
Check that objectives are still relevant
Provide Youth Consultant Training (Dec)
Develop resources to distribute in the community
For example information packs (Peer Project and Youth
Consultant)

24. Being a Youth Consultant…
Gives us a voice
Allows us to tell our stories and feel heard.
Provides us with skills and training
Empowers us, recognising us as the experts in our
experiences
Allows us to set up the foundations for a program to
benefit other young people.

25. Opportunities as a
Youth Consultant
In the past we have…
Advocated for young homeless people in the form of
presentations to a range of audiences, including Homelessness
SA.
Began speaking to the media and sharing our experiences with
the wider community.
Consultations within a range of services with homeless young
people about their views and needs.
Opportunities within organisations to affect policy delivery and
service, including leading staff training in the importance of
youth participation.

26. Being Youth Consultants
empowers us to empower
other young people.

27. Thank You
We need to thank a number of people and organisations
for their contribution to the research project (and the
opportunity to present here today):
The Government of South Australia
Staff and management at St Johns Youth Services
The young people who have participated