Save the Children's Youth Engagement programs provide young Australians from marginalised communities with skills and opportunities to fully participate in community life. By working with young people who have become disengaged from education, or come into contact with the law, Save the Children equips young people with the tools and the resilience they need to turn things around.

Our Youth Engagement programs adopt a holistic approach; to address a range of needs that vulnerable young people may have. Whether the activity provides life skills, drug and alcohol awareness or leadership skills or vocational-based training, literacy and numeracy skills, all of our programs aim to develop the social and emotional resilience of young people so that they can better engage and participate in community and family life, and transition through education, training and employment.

Operation Newstart, Youth Engagement & Pathways

To get ready for work, young people need skills that go beyond vocational training and classroom learning. Several of our programs work with "highly vulnerable" or "high risk" young people to help build resilience, problem-solving and leadership skills. Acting as positive role models, our youth workers give young people confidence to thrive at work and through the transitions in life.

Follow the adventures of our Operation Newstart groups over on our blog.

Juvenile Justice 

Save the Children also runs a Juvenile Justice programs for young people who are part of the juvenile justice system, providing support, mentoring and links to other services. Our programs help to build resilience and lifeskills, and give young people hope and motivation to re-engage with education, vocational training and community life.

Chilling Space 

Our Chilling Space program in Kununurra provides safe and inclusive spaces for Aboriginal children and young people to play and do homework in the evening.

Our workers encourage local young people to make choices to refrain from high risk, anti-social or illegal behaviour including juvenile crime, alcohol and substance misuse and street prowling. The Waringarri Chilling Space runs a range of activities for young people including cultural activities, healthy food preparation, music, conversation areas, arts and crafts activities, and school homework support.

Live and Learn and Home Work Support

Our Live and Learn (Perth) and Homework Support (Hobart) programs provides after-school tutoring to migrant and refugee children who may be struggling with the demands of their new school environment. Our programs provides assistance to help the children successfully complete their education.

The Live and Learn & Homework Support programs is instrumental in building lifeskills such as self esteem, confidence and resilience to issues such as bullying and intolerance.