Mapping Services for Young People in Melton City

This report discusses the local government area of Melton City and its services for young people. It covers the population statistics, issues and priorities for young people, council services and programs, state government policies, and local youth networks.

This report maps services for young people in the
local government area (LGA) of
______________MELTON CITY_________
1. LGA profile:
Describe and discuss your selected local government area. Your
description and analysis will cover: geographical location; Department
of Health and Human Service’s region; a profile of the local population:
whole population with a focus on description and analysis of statistics
relevant to young people. In doing so, cover health and wellbeing status,
cultural diversity, socio economic status, employment, education and so
on.
The selected local government area is the city of Melton. It is a satellite town that is
located outside the city of Melbourne in Australia. There are plans to construct in the city a
first-class healthcare hub for the whole community at the heart of the town. The name of the
service will be Melton Health and Community Services. The Centre will have all the health
services in the same building which will be convenient for all residents. The construction
began on 2017 February, and it is expected to end in 2018 towards the end. Alongside the
health care service department, there is a youth center called Melton city council youth
services. The area is about 527.3 cubic kilometers and has a population of 135,443 according
to the last census that was carried out in 2016.
The population between the age of 18 and 34 is 24.4%which is still lower as
compared to the parental age group of 34 and above which is about 23.7%. The youths in the
region who are working are relatively many as compared to those who are not working. The
number is 20,955, and it has increased as compared to the previous years where it was lower
than 18,000 (Forecast.id.com.au, 2018). There is one hospital in the city which is yet to be
completed and could be a source of employment to the number of youths in the region. The
city has a department for the youths, and it has its offices in the city which addresses the
issues relating to youths affairs. Many youths are in school, and those who are out of school
are working and making a living. Those above 18 years f age are independent and can
support themselves without the help of their parents. Basically, the city has a shortage of
young people. Most of the inhabitants in the region are parents with toddlers.
The city has diversity, and there are aboriginals as well as the other groups. There are
those who do not speak English and those who came from abroad. Out of the 135443, only
about 500 individuals in the city need assistance because they don’t have jobs. Over 80% of
the population has employment or a source of income that sustains them financially.
Based on your analysis of the data discuss the local issues and
priorities for young people in your selected LGA, and potential service
implications. You will need to use and cite references for this section.
There has been the problem of housing the youths in the city of Melton. There are
some youths which are a small number who do not have proper accommodation and housing.
The city lacks most of the essential services for the youths. According to the national budget,
only about $870,000 is allocated to the city which is not sufficient to handle the youth issues
(Profile.id.com.au, 2018). The Australian government formed a task force called The Youth
Homeless Task Force (YHT) which was to address the issue of homelessness amongst the
youth in all the cities of Australia. Melton has been one of the cities of Australia that has been
of the spotlight for having a large number of youths without homes and loitering around. The
YHT has been working within Melbourne to help support those groups that have no homes

and are struggling among the youths. The reason for the lack of housing for the youths is
because of the large families that are living in the region. Melton is among those cities in the
country that has no services that have been set apart for the youths for their benefit.
The unemployment crisis is not far away from the youths yet in the city. Melton is
part of Melbourne which has recorded a high number of unemployed youths at 16% which is
alarming. The reason is that most young people were used to getting employment and short-
term contracts from the manufacturing and industrial sectors. However, with the coming of
the service sector which requires special skills and education, more youths are left jobless
because there are jobs which they are not qualified to handle. The region is in need of
opportunities for employment as the ones which are currently there are already flooded, and
there are still more people who need jobs. The area has a large pool of workers who are
making the wages to reduce because of the excess supply of the same.
As a result of joblessness, many youths are suffering from anxiety and mental issues
which is going to become a trend if the problem is not resolved. There is hope as the national
government has disbursed about $6 -8 billion to create opportunities for jobs with the youths
in mind in the parts of the country (Hobday, 2015). Such an initiative is one which will see
many jobs created in the city of Melton like the Health Centre that is being constructed.
There is, however, the need for the education sector to offer training which will help benefit
the youth of the city. Most youths after the economic crisis that struck the world lost their
jobs because industries closed down or resized its employees. Those who were laid off or lost
jobs began looking for other alternatives like bakeries which are already flooded. It is
essential that the youths be taught how to get self-employment and become entrepreneurs
instead of spending their time applying and getting frustrated over jobs.
2. Council services and programs
Map the local government youth services and programs that are run by or
funded by the local council. Include the following:
 Name of the Department in the Council that has responsibility for young people
(refer to the organizational chart – structure)
Melton youth Council
 Contact details of the council and the worker/s that you would contact in youth
services including the name of the person in charge and their title.
[phone]. There is no specific person as the people in the council keep changing.
Whenever the number gets called there is always someone to pick up and attend to the needs
of the youth that is calling.
 Services and programs delivered by the youth services (describe the services
and programs that your selected Local Council offers and how this might relate
to the issues or needs identified in your analysis of the demographic data.
The programs offered in this department are leadership programs for the youth who have
ambitions and plans of becoming leaders. There are many other services under this
department which includes the following. Youth advisory committee that brings youths
together to build confidence through interacting with each other. Besides that there is the
wing that deals with diversity issues that are affecting the youths like the LGBT. There is also
a wing that helps boys and girls deal with their emotions and frustrations which is still under
the same department (Robinson, 2018). The families in the region are diverse and therefore,
the information is accurate. The city has a way of ensuring that everyone is taken care of and
no one is neglected. The minority have a voice and no one steps on their privileges.
Local council Policy context:
Identify two local council policies or action plans that are relevant to young people
and discuss three priorities for action.

There are many action plans for the youths under the local council initiative.
1. Supporting innovation and creativity in the city. The city through its leadership has
identified ways of ensuring that the talented minds and the youth who are many in the
city get a better use of their time. They have established departments and groups that
allow the youth to come together to talk about issues that are affecting them and help
out in offering the solutions that are needed. Additionally, this policy targets to reduce
the unemployment that has been seen in the region.
2. Well designed and built city. The city through its leadership has recognized the need
for better housing which has led it to forming the team that will be responsible in
drawing the plan that will see the council build the houses and homes that are
affordable. The households in Melton are growing and increasing and therefore, there
is the need to expand housing and accommodate as many people as they should. The
government statistics estimated that more youths are homeless and Melton is the most
affected region with many youths lacking the basic needs like food, shelter and
clothing.
The three priorities for action that are related to the action plans are as follows.
Creation of job opportunities for the youth. The youths are growing and becoming more
with each year. As the number grows, there is more pressure that is exerted on to the
social amenities. As a result of that, youths need to be employed and be given a source of
living to sustain themselves. Another action plan is education for the youth. More youths
don’t have jobs because they don’t have the skills for those jobs. Therefore, the council
needs to act fast and improve the quality of education in the city and bring policies which
will change the education sector. They are supposed to ensure that the education that is
taught in the schools is enough to give the youths the right skills for the jobs they want to
seek. Finally the mentorship programs. Youths need direction in many areas, they need
guidance in careers, family and also leadership. The council should continue making
more programs which will enable the youths to grow their skills and be mentored on all
issues that affect them.
3. The State Government (The policy context)
Who is the Victorian State Government’s Minister responsible for Youth Affairs?
She is The Hon. Jenny Mikakos MLC, she is also the minister for family and children and
early childhood education.
Where is the State Government office relevant to youth service providers in your
selected local government area (regional office)?
It is located in the Level 22 50 Lonsdale Street, in Melbourne Victoria.
Name a State Government policy that is relevant to young people. List and discuss
three elements that are included in this policy that interest you. Explain why it is
relevant to young people and the relevance to the young people in your selected LGA.
The Victoria Government Youth Policy. There are three elements of the policy that have
made me exited.
Forums for the youth to help them in shaping the future. Several youths in Victoria in the
year 2016 were called upon to participate in forums that would shape and help determine
what their future would like. Through that forum, the government got ideas from the youths
about the things that the youths are interested in doing. As a result of that meeting and forum,
there was born a national youth’s forum that took place the following year in 2017.
Also there is the building stronger youth in Victoria. This has allowed youths to participate in
decisions made by the local government that affect them directly and indirectly. The policy
has improved the relationship between the youths and the government in the sense that their
engagement rules have become better. The government consults the youths when it comes to
issues and matters that affect them which was not the case in the earlier years.

The last policy is the education policy which has been made to ensure that all the youths in
Victoria have access to quality education which will allow them to be independent in future.
The education stretches into empowering the youths in their own care and giving them the
keys to the success of their ventures.
4. Mapping the local government youth service provider’s relationship to peak
youth bodies.
 Briefly outline the role and purpose of a peak body.
Peak bodies are like advocacy groups. They fight for the rights of a certain group of people
who are not able to do so by themselves. It’s made up of people and groups that have a
common interest. Peak bodies always speak on behalf of the people who are being targeted
or neglected by the government or the society in general. They conduct their research on the
issue they are representing and offer alternatives.
 Name a peak body relevant to young people and youth workers
There are many but for the case of the youth in Victoria and Melton city there will be
Australian Youth Affairs Coalition (AYAC) which advocates for the research, engagement
and development in the youth sector.
 Contact details
Their email address. [e-mail]
Their mobile number 98 468 177 911
 Person in charge
o Title- Chairperson is the one who is in charge.
o Organisation
The organisation is Australian Youth Affairs Coalition
5. Mapping local youth networks
 Is there a local network of workers and professionals in your local government
area that you would like to belong to as a youth worker?
I would like to be a part of the Community Housing Industry Association Victoria where I
can offer my services to the homeless people. I would be very resourceful when it comes to
thinking of ideas of reducing homelessness in the city and ensuring that people have houses.
 Name of the local youth network
Community Housing Industry Association Victoria
 Contact details
Their address is
1/128 Exhibition Street, Melbourne, 3000
Their phone number is
0396546077
Their email address is [e-mail].
 Describe the services it provides for its members
The community housing industry association Victoria offers its members many services
which include the following.
Providing the members with better housing solutions like helping them to get better houses at
a cost that is affordable. Members get the benefits of policy development where anything that
is done by the organization gets to them first. They also enjoy the benefits of being trained
professionally and also being developed by the organization. Members can get access to
training which equips them on issues related to housing. Also, they enjoy the privilege of
networking, the organization has meetings where members can meet others from different
parts and share ideas. Besides physical meeting, members can also meet on the online portal
where they can also share ideas with the like minds. Members get the support they need in
matters to do with housing. Also they get the tools they require on housing related issues.
Finally, the organization prioritizes them when it comes to giving information to people. The
members get information first hand before the rest of the people does.

 Name and briefly describe three services that attend this youth network.
Melbourne youth support program, they provide a number of care and support to the youths
between the ages of 17 and 25 who are showing the signs of becoming homeless in the near
future. They also support the youths who are from diverse cultures and are finding problems
getting a house. They also offer support to the young people all day and night for any reason
or concern they may have.
Youth housing and support, they offer accommodation to people who are between 17-25 who
are homeless and have nowhere to live. Helping youths in getting developmental skills that
can help them in their lives. Also, provide resources to workers who are then empowered in
their respective jobs.
Sunshine youth housing. They Help youths in getting developmental skills that can help them
in their lives.
6. Mapping child protection (State government)
 Name of the Regional Child Protection Office for this LGA.
The Department of health and human services of Victoria state.
 Contact details for Child Protection in your local state government office
Their physical address and phone number are as follows. Address: 50 Lonsdale Street
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia 3000
Phone: [phone]
 List the programs/role relevant to child protection and that are provided by the
local state government child protection office in your local area.
Caring for the children, sexual assault, family support, adoption and also child protection
services.
7. Mapping crisis, information and referral services for young people.
 Name a local crisis, information and referral services for young people in this
area.
The CRIS- Crisis Referral Information system.
 Provide contact details
The Salvation Army Crisis ServicesPO Box 2027 St Kilda VIC 3182
www.salvationarmy.org.au/crisisservices
 List the programs/services that this service provides.
Assisting bond
Alcohol and drugs emergency
Parking caravans
Financial assistance
Locating family
General client services
Housing solutions
Hotels and restaurants among others.
Many young people in crisis gravitate to the city looking for help. It could be that this
might be where you need to refer young people.
 What is the name and location of another crisis, information and/or referral
service for young people in the central business district? What programs and
services does it provide?
The Salvation Army crisis program is one of the organizations that I can recommend to those
who are in need of help. They are there as a response team to the needs of individuals who
want to connect with or get access to the mainstream community after losing touch.
8. Mapping services for young people who are homeless.
 Name a local housing support agency.
The youth central

 Contact details.
Their phone number that is always on is 1300 650 172
 Name of the person in charge.
There is not person who is in charge specifically.
 List the programs/services that this service provides.
Explain your answers fully.
They offer information to the people in the area about places they can go and get housing.
They answer people all the questions they ask in relation to options and houses available for
them.
They offer rent and lease assistance and advice. They also offer financial guidance in terms of
informing the people where to get financing.
9. Mapping mental health services for young people.
 Name a mental health service for young people in your chosen local
government area.
The Northwest Psychological Services
 Contact details.
It’s a general health mental service that helps the youth. It is located on the 48 Unitt
STREET, MELTON, 3337. The contact number is03 9448 5503. They are always open from
Monday to Friday from 8:30 to 5 pm.
 List the programs/services that this service provides.
They offer the vital local health to the community.
They offer support services including medical, dental, allied health, mental health, aged care
and counselling
They also offer specialist health services
 What do you see as the major issues for young people in your area that may
affect their mental health? Does this service address this issues? What
programs are needed more broadly to ensure the overall health and wellbeing
of young people?
The major issue that leads to mental problems in the city of Melton is the case of frustration,
anxiety from the lack of jobs or applying and never being called or considered. Lack of
housing which makes one find it unbearable to live and taken in. She service here has all the
tools and manpower that has been addressing and still is addressing the issue. There should
be programs like interaction and emotional handling programs and also counseling programs
to help stabilize the youths.
Where could young people go if they had a mental health crisis and could not access
this service at that time?
Some would be going to their houses while others who will have information or the internet
can get access to many other places where they offer mental health treatment like the
cohealth Melton.
Provide full contact details.
They are located at the 48 Unitt STREET, MELTON, 3337
03 9448 5503 is their contact number
10. Mapping drug and alcohol services for young people.
 Name a youth drug and alcohol service that works in the chosen LGA..
The Melton Community Health
 Contact details.
The address for this location is the 232 High Street STREET, MELTON, 3337. They have an
active phone number that is open Monday to Friday from 9-5 pm except on public holidays
when it’s also closed.
 What services does it provide?
The offer alcohol and other drug counselling service for those directly affected by alcohol

from the youths to those who are not youths.
They also offer counseling for other drug for the victims and their families. .
The also provide and offer community education and information to schools, community
agencies and others in relation to drugs and drug abuse.
 How do young people access this service - personally or by referral?
It’s a community program that is available for everyone. Most other youths in the region get
referrals while others walk in and out of the place for help. The information is also found on
the directory and no one can miss the location of this service.
 Can they make their initial contact over the phone?
Yes their initial contact can be on the phone or in person. In some cases some people even
[refer to write them an email which the hospital replies and answers their concerns.
 What barriers could young people experience in accessing this service?
Fear of being victimized, young people always fear that they will be victimized and called
names by the society. Also, the young people also fear that the methods used by this services
my never work on them forcing to go back to drugs after the resolve to quit. Also, the family
and friends could give the people pressure which may discourage them from going.
Thinking about the models/ perspectives discussed this semester, select one and
describe where this service would be located on your particular model.
11. Mapping youth justice and legal services for young people.
 Name a local legal service young people can access in your chosen LGA.
Hope street youth and family services.
 Contact details including the name of the person in charge.
They are located in the Brunswick Town Hall Level 1, 233 Sydney Road Brunswick VIC
3056 contact: [phone]
 List the offerings this service provides.
Legal advice for the youth
Financial support
Drugs abuse support
 Name at least one piece of legislation that is relevant to youth work
Children rights legislation.
 Explain why this law is relevant to youth work
This law prohibits the employers from employing children who are not of age and exploiting
them. It protects the youths from manipulative and abusive employers. It also protects the
youths from getting into agreements that may hurt them in the end.
12. Mapping education, employment and training support services for young
people
 Name a local service that helps young people with education, employment
and / or training in your chosen LGA.
BGT Employment Training and Youth Services
 Contact details including the name of the person in charge and their title.
They are located on the 36 Camp Street, Ballarat 3350
The phone numbers are 5333 1707 or 1800 643593
 List the programs/services that this service provides.
Offers apprentices and trainees with employment.
Helps businesses improve their skills for various tasks through training.
 Provide the name and contact details of two further services that a young
person in this local government area could utilize if they needed help with
securing work/ an income?
The Disability Employment Services Provider – WCIG contact 03) 9743 0189 they are
located in 51 Bakery Square, Melton 3337
Tracy's Employment – Melton which is in 45 Bakery Square, Melton 3337
 Who is the Victorian State Government Minister responsible for Education?

The Hon. James Merlino MP
13. Mapping services for young people from culturally and linguistically
diverse communities.
 Name a service for culturally and linguistically diverse young people living in
the LGA
Mental Health Compass
 Contact details including the person in charge.
www.mentalhealthcompass.com.au
 List the programs and services that this service provides.
Connecting the youths with services for people from diverse communicates.
Provide information to the individuals about the places they can get mental health support.
 Drawing on relevant literature, what are two suggestions for good cross-
cultural practice? Refer to three references and ensure you correctly reference
the material.
Recognizing and realizing that culture is an important part of the individual’s identity and
should be respected (Centre for Multicultural Youth Issues 2004).
Being open to the various cultures and values of people from different cultures and
background (Centre for Multicultural Youth Issues 2006).
14. Mapping services for indigenous young people.
 Name a service for indigenous young people living in the LGA.
Banyule youth services
 Contact details for this services
21 Alamein Road, West
Heidelberg
Ph: 9450 2015
 List the programs and activities that this service provides.
The service assists in running aboriginal programs and groups locally.
They also have some time dedicated to offer help with occasion management.
They provide the link for the aboriginal’s health services and provide advocacy to assist them
get back on your feet or assist solve problems.
They also participate in cultural activities through the programs like youth mentoring
program
They offer Community development activities such as, Food bank, family days
 How does this service encourage access for young people from indigenous
backgrounds?
It makes then find it easy to come get help from their own folk.
 If there is no service in your chosen area, where would indigenous young
people go for support/services pertaining to them?
Victoria aboriginal health services
15. Mapping services for young people with disabilities.
 Name a local service for young people with disabilities in your chosen LGA.
There is one famous Baptcare Family Services: Baptist Community Care which is located in
Melton.
 Contact details and the name of the person in charge.
03 9831 7265 is the contact number to call the service.
Copernicus Way Taylors Lakes, 3038
 List the programs and services this service provides.
They offer foster care services
They offer in-home support
They give support for parents living with children with mental issues.
Offering support to a family that is taking care of an individual with a disability.

They support children with disabilities.
 Provide the name and contact details of two national and/or statewide services
for young people with disabilities
Disability Services – DHS
They can be contacted via phone on this number 1300 650 172
 Describe the services of each in detail.
The first one, Baptcare Family Services provides services to families and individuals with
disabilities. The second one Disability Services DHS offers online directory for all people in
Victoria who are working or work with people who have disabilities.
They help connect individuals to the right place when they are found with a problem
involving the disability.
16. Mapping other health and well-being services for young people (eg., LGBT,
survivors of violence and abuse, behaviour change, personal development,
leadership, young parents, sexual health, etc.)
 Name of a local health and well-being service for young people which deals
with at least one of these issues.
Rainbow network is an LGBT group that handles issues that are related to the abuses that the
LGBT groups in Melton are going through.
 Contact details including the name of the person in charge and their title.
Their address is 193 Barries Road, Melton and their phone number that someone can use to
reach them is 9747 5373.
 List the programs and services this service provides.
The offer counselling to their members and the people that come to them for support.
They also offer religious guidance to their members
They are also providers of health services which members can benefit from.
They offer legal services to their members
They also offer inter sex to their members.
 What skills, knowledge and experience does a youth worker need to work in
this service?
Counseling skills and also skills in teaching because there is a lot of teaching and making
people aware that happens a lot.
Does this service offer help orientated towards:
 Prevention?
 Early intervention?
 Crisis support?
 Transitional support?
Explain your answer fully.
Crisis support. The LGBT is a minority group that is hated and tolerated by many people.
Having an organization like this allows them to get support that can help in crisis times.
When there are laws or policies that don’t favor them, they can seek comfort and help from
such a place. Also they offer counselling, medical and religious guidance. Therefore all those
are crisis services given to people in need.
17. Mapping barriers, gaps, and waiting lists for young people in this LGA.
From your extensive research and analysis of the data and services that are available
in your local area what do you see as the main issues and main gaps and/or barriers
in the LGA of your choice? Explain why you see this as a gap and/or barrier for the
young people in this area.(This relates to the issues identified in your profile section
and your analysis and research of the services covered for each question)
 1st Barrier / gap-There is the education gap. I think that the youth do not have
sufficient education or the right skills that can make them get better jobs. For example
in the first analysis we did about the city and the employment rate of the youth, we
found only less than 15 are employed and have better jobs. More youths are looking

for any job they can get hands on for the sake of making and earning a living. I think
they should be trained and allowed to venture into jobs and professions that they are
passionate about. When someone works out of passion and not the need for money
their productivity rises and the country grows.
 2nd Barrier / gap-Diversity is another gap and barrier that is affecting the youth. There
are many diverse groups in the region who are seeking for the same opportunities.
Therefore, the youths need to come together and forget their diversity differences like
sex, ages, sexuality and race and concentrate on the real issues. I did a study in
diversity and I realized that despite our color and diversity, the functions underneath
the skin are similar. The youths should take charge and be united and the rest will
follow. Also the over reliance on employment is a barrier. Everything that a youth
looks forward to is working for someone, they should be mentored and allowed to
start ventures and businesses.
18. Mapping your innovative ideas, directions, opportunities, and
implications for policy and practice.
How would you address the identified gaps and/or barriers for young people in this
LGA? Explain fully what and why you would pursue this course of action.
 1st big idea- The city of Melton has a potential, it’s under Victoria which has many
challenges. However, with challenges comes the toughness and resilience that
makes an iron tougher. The problems of the city can be solved through dialogue.
Leaders of all sides and the youths should come and address problems that are
affecting them and chat a way forward on how they can solve them.
 2nd big idea-Instead of the government trying to find solutions to the problems that
are affecting the youths in the city of Melton, they should open the channels of
communication and allow the youths to come on the dialogue table and talk. The
problems of the youths have solutions and the answers to those problems are with
the youths themselves.
19. Mapping ways to navigate the youth sector.
What are two key lessons you have learnt while doing this topic map for finding your
way around the youth sector?
 1st Lesson-Everyone is looking at the youth around the world. They are the next big
thing and they need to be empowered. With the challenges they are facing, they need
mentorship and programs that will build their capacity and make them better for
tomorrow.
 2nd Lesson-The future of the country depends on the youth, in spite of the challenges
they are facing, the youths are bent on becoming better and making lives of other
people better. Also when the youths come together for some brainstorming, there can
never be any problem too big for them to solve.
What advice would you give someone new to the youth sector around how to find
services and information?
 1st helpful tip- Finding the information is easy as one needs to go to the website and
read for him or herself. The information can also be accessed via the internet
 2nd helpful tip-Information can be gathered also through attending meetings and
being part of the group. Finding the services will require one to call the number or
write to them via email address or even better visit them at their offices.
References
Centre for Multicultural Youth Issues (2004) FaCS Reconnect Self-Evaluation Report 03–04.
Melbourne, CMYI

Centre for Multicultural Youth Issues (2006) What is a Youth Centre? A guide for families
wanting to find out more about youth services in Australia.
Hobday, L. (2015). Youth unemployment at 'crisis' levels in Victoria. [online] ABC News.
Available at: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-07-04/youth-unemployment-at-crisis-levels-
in-victoria/6589464 [Accessed 10 Oct. 2018].
Profile.id.com.au. (2018). Need for assistance - Employment status | City of Melton |
Community profile. [online] Available at: https://profile.id.com.au/melton/assistance-by-
employment-status?BMID=210 [Accessed 10 Oct. 2018].
Forecast.id.com.au. (2018). Population summary | City of Melton | forecast.id. [online]
Available at: https://forecast.id.com.au/melton/population-summary [Accessed 10 Oct. 2018].
Robinson, B. (2018). Conditional Families and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and
Queer Youth Homelessness: Gender, Sexuality, Family Instability, and Rejection. Journal of
Marriage and Family, 80(2), pp.383-396.