Panyappi Indigenous Youth Mentoring Program Evaluation

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Panyappi Indigenous Youth Mentoring Program Evaluation Mentoring may share some aspects of youth work or social work, but there is a different focus and intention. It is not a transport, even though mentors may transport or accompany young people to other appointments or obligations. These activities contribute to a larger purpose or goal that is agreed with the young person and family/caregivers. It is not a baby-sitting service, even though mentors may spend recreational time with young people individually or in groups. Individual or group excursions are an environment in which it may be more comfortable and safe for the young person to open up to the mentor, build trust and start to discuss the personal issues they face. In summary, the role of mentors is to ensure the care, health and wellbeing of young people who access Panyappi services. They act as a bridge between the young person and services, providing advice, referral and advocacy. They provide a service to the young person in a wide variety of environments by: ω ω ω ω ω ω ω ω ω ω Modelling appropriate behaviours Providing one-on-one engagement with a young person to build a trusting relationship with a commitment to maintaining the relationship over an extended period of time Assisting young people to access educational, training and recreational services to facilitate young peoples transition into the community Promoting, encouraging and ensuring positive relationships with parents, family members, significant others and the community Providing care, guidance, support and supervision of young people in a reasonable and appropriate manner, and their protection from harm and exploitation Offering a safe, secure and caring environment for young people. Developing and implementing programs that teach young people practical living skills, how to make choices and decisions and how to take responsibility for their actions Assisting young people who are moving towards independence by providing regular support and linking into appropriate services Escorting and supervising young people when attending relevant appointments in the community Providing opportunities for young people to experience success and to realise their full potential Due to the complex and often long-standing problems for young people in Panyappi, and a frequent history of previously unsuccessful intervention, mentoring involves regular and intensive involvement. This is up to 15 – 20 hours/week, particularly in the earlier months while the relationship and trust is being built. The belief is that an investment of this nature makes a difference that can be sustained as the young person becomes an adult and avoids further and more serious involvement in crime that has high social and financial costs at personal, family and societal levels. Panyappi’s approach to mentoring acknowledges that there are multiple ways of supporting young people and more than mentoring is required to make a difference, ie: - 20 -
Panyappi Indigenous Youth Mentoring Program Evaluation Formal mentoring programs are one effective means of supporting young people, not a single solution to complex social and individual needs. Especially in circumstances where young people face multiple disadvantages, mentors are best regarded as complementary to and an addition to the work of professionals and other supportive services, not as a replacement for them. 16 As noted in the above summary of their role, Panyappi mentors are actively involved in facilitating the engagement of young people and families with a range of other services that can respond to their needs, particularly where it has or will be difficult for engagement to occur. Support for mentors There has been strong commitment to ensuring that Panyappi mentors have access to quality training, professional development opportunities, and regular supervision and support. The intentions are to resource them appropriately and sustain them in their high intensity role with this group of young people. If they do not have it, all Panyappi mentors undertake training for a Certificate III in Community Services (Youth Work). They have access to the range of training offered through FAYS in the Department of Human Services, including required training in Mandated Notification and Occupational Health and Safety issues and other areas relevant to the program, e.g. juvenile justice, racism/anti-racism, substance misuse. They also participate in MAYT staff development and planning processes. The Panyappi Coordinator provides professional supervision for all mentors based on mutually negotiated superversion agreements. In addition each mentor has a performance management agreement that includes a focus on career development. The Coordinator conducts all screening and assessment, case planning and case management, including attending case conferences with other agencies where required. Case planning occurs in collaboration with individual mentors, and mentors learn about the case management process. In addition, under the current staffing structure they also have access to the Senior Mentor for day-to-day peer support and guidance, where the Senior Mentor can act as a mentor to the other mentors. Panyappi has adopted a strategy of two levels of mentoring. The primary focus is on young people, as required under the program funding arrangements. In addition, there is a secondary focus on people in the Mentor positions. This addresses the need to recruit and retain skilled Indigenous workers within Family & Youth Services, DHS, and responds to commitments to do this in the DHS Reconciliation Plan. 17 Although Panyappi is very keen to retain mentors in order to ensure program stability and offer young people relationship stability, mentors are encouraged to consider further study options as part of their career development. In this way Panyappi contributes to developing and 16 Hartley, R. (2004). Young people and mentoring: Towards a national strategy. Big Brothers Big Sisters Australia, Dusseldorp Skills Forum and The Smith Family: Australia. 17 Department of Human Services (2002). Department of Human Services: The Reconciliation Plan 2002-2003. Adelaide: SA Department of Human Services, p.28. - 21 -
Page 1 and 2: Panyappi Indigenous Youth Mentoring
Page 3 and 4: © Panyappi Indigenous Youth Mentor
Page 5 and 6: Beginning the Story… Panyappi Ind
Page 7 and 8: Executive Summary What is Panyappi?
Page 17 and 18: Program funding Panyappi Indigenous
Page 21 and 22: JUSTICE Strong support from the Cri
Page 23: Panyappi Indigenous Youth Mentoring
Page 29 and 30: ATSIC recently reported: Panyappi I
Page 37 and 38: Evaluation questions Panyappi Indig
Page 71 and 72: Support for mentors Panyappi Indige
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Weaving the Threads Together Achiev
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ω ω ω Panyappi Indigenous Youth
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Panyappi Indigenous Youth Mentoring
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Panyappi Indigenous Youth Mentoring
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Recommendations Panyappi Indigenous
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Outcome Formative or process Append
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