Resources & Ideas
Knowledge that supports practice
Good practice is strengthened by access to quality research, thoughtful resources and the collective knowledge of the youth sector.
This resource hub brings together research, sector organisations, and practice tools to support practitioners, educators and organisations in their work with young people.
The collection reflects my commitment to evidence-informed, responsive, youth-centred practice and to bridging the gap between what we know, what policy requires and what happens in practice.
Whether you're looking to deepen your understanding, explore new approaches or find practical tools to support your work, I hope you find something useful here.
This is a growing collection, with resources, research and organisations selected for their relevance to youth work, innovation, policy, practice and professional learning.
-
Quick links to key sites for those working with young people
YouthWorkNSW - Professional Association for youth workers in NSW https://youthworknsw.org.au/
Youth Action — NSW youth sector advocacy, policy and resources. Website
Australian Institute of Family Studies — research and evidence relating to children, young people and families. Website
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare — Australian data, reports and statistics relevant to young people. Youth topic
Orygen — youth mental health research, resources and practice guidance. Website
CREATE Foundation — young people's perspectives, advocacy and resources concerning out-of-home care. Website
-
Relationship-based and alternative models of support
BackTrack — NSW
A community-based model combining relationships, practical activities, education, training and employment pathways for young people who have experienced disconnection from mainstream systems.
StreetWork — NSW
Uses proactive outreach, consistent adult relationships and practical support to engage young people before difficulties escalate.
Re:Shift Collective
Develops flexible, youth-centred responses for young people who may not feel understood or supported by conventional education and service systems.
Professional Individualised Care (PIC) — NSW
PIC offers a relationship-based approach to out-of-home care, matching a young person with a professional therapeutic carer who brings their skills and expertise into everyday life.
Explore Professional Individualised Care
Centre for Relational Care
It examines how policy, contracting, organisational structures and care systems can better support enduring relationships for children and young people.
Explore the Centre for Relational Care
Weave Youth & Community Services — NSW
A community-centred organisation working with young people, families and communities. Its youth advocacy and leadership initiatives provide examples of participation beyond simply consulting young people.
-
Coming soon
Collective Action and the way forward….
I believe that strengthening youth work requires an ongoing commitment to learning, questioning and listening deeply to the experiences of others. I remain curious about how we can do things differently, whose knowledge informs our work, and how we can better connect research, policy and practice.
As part of this commitment, I am undertaking a Master of Philosophy, further exploring the questions that shape my work and deepening my understanding of how we can strengthen youth work practice and the systems that support young people.
At the moment, I am a one person collective. However, I would love others to join me - however that looks like. Making connections, sharing research and practice, collecting good and passionate humans to work collectively at understanding, changing and championing systemic and practice and policy change sounds like a goal in and of itself.
For me, learning is never separate from practice. It is part of the ongoing work of listening, reflecting and finding better ways forward.
Please - get in touch using the ‘Let’s team up’ form below if your interested in working together
Maddy
