Youth Services

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Youth Development Strategy

We seek to empower young people by helping them access opportunities to enhance their wellbeing, development, expression, enjoyment and resilience. Our services are aimed at young people aged 10 - 25 years with a focus on 12 - 18 year olds living, visiting, studying, working and recreating within Port Phillip. We achieve this mission by working in collaboration with local services and young people.

We plan, develop and provide a range of initiatives and projects that connect young people to a range of activities, forums and opportunities within the municipality.

View the 2008 Youth Development Strategy

Youth Profile
The City of Port Phillip is home to 85,000 residents. The census data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics 2006 revealed that 11,605 (13.3%) are young residents are aged between 10 and 24 years. A demographic breakdown showed:

  • 2019 (2.3%) are aged between 10 and 14 years
  • 2642 (3%) aged between 15 and 19 years
  • 6944 (8%) aged between 20 and 24 years.

 

Council has a strong commitment to young people ensuring the planning and development of a connected, informed and resourced youth service sector and the establishment of sustainable opportunities that link young people and their communities to outcomes that are supportive, creative and empowering.

Our Youth Services promote strong and supportive links between communities, services, schools and continue to encouraged the establishment of vibrant environments for young people

Creating the Strategy
The Strategy reflects learnings acquired through Council's review of the Youth Development Framework early 2008. The Youth Development Strategy was created in consultation with a broad stakeholder group through a series of consultations and planning forums under the guidance of The Port Phillip Youth Network.

Heading in the Right Direction
The Youth Development Strategy advances the premise that the 'whole of community' is fundamental to the healthy development of young people through providing an environment for active participation, cultural expression, youthful experimentation, friendships and growth.

Asset Building
The Youth Development Strategy is an asset-building framework and builds upon themes arising from longitudinal research of The Search Institute of Minnesota and focusing on key developmental areas that are fundamental elements in developing resilient and healthy young people. Asset building breaks new ground in policy and planning by shifting the focus of support from looking at 'what's wrong' to looking at what is needed to enhance and support young peoples lives.

This Strategy advocates for 'developmental assets' to be considered in all aspects of the planning and delivery of a community response to the support of young people.

The Port Phillip Youth Development Strategy will be the cornerstone of Council's commitment to young people and establish a supportive framework for collaborative and effective youth support across the community.

More Information 
Contact us (ask for Youth Services) or use eServices to ask us a question, request information or give us feedback online.