We have a comprehensive range of programs to assist Broome’s children, families and young people.
If you would like to refer yourself to one of these specific programs, or if you are an agency seeking to refer a client, please click on and fill out the form attached here and email to referrals@byfh.org.au.
What is the referral process for each of our programs?
Broome Youth and Families Hub is poised for a 2024 of significant growth and impact. We’re committed to creating a community of thriving and empowered young people and families and we’re fulfilling this vision through a whole range of programs—new and existing. We wanted to let you know what’s on offer throughout the year and how young people and families can get involved. We’ve also provided information for you about the referral process.
Children and Parenting Support Program
Target group: This program caters for parents, families, and primary carers, who are looking after children aged between 0-18 years.
Referral process: Referrals may be received from external agencies, internally via BYFH, families, or individuals. Referral forms are available via the link above and should be emailed through to: referrals@byfh.org.au
About: Our Children and Parenting Support Program is a ten-week consent based case management service providing intensive support to walk alongside clients to identify personal and family goals, create pathways of interconnectedness within the community, support existing strengths, identify needs within the child/parent/carer relationship, encourage access to community and existing support circles, offer activity-based engagement, and provide relevant referrals for clients to connect with appropriate services. Clients may re-enter into the ten-week program by assessment of individual needs, participation, and commitment to working together towards individual goals.
Playgroup and Parenting Support Program
Target group: Parents with little ones aged 0-4.
Referral process: Contact our Early Learning Facilitator on earlylearning@byfh.org.au or call or text 0408 416 618.
About: Our playgroup and parenting program is based on the ‘Belonging, Being and Becoming: The Early Years Learning Framework for Australia.’ Each day of the week we have different activities, both on BYFH’s premises and out in the community. We encourage creative play, go on picnics to Town Beach, have a day specifically set aside for the dads, and balance fun with education. Our aim is to foster a warm, welcoming and safe environment that supports healthy early childhood development and school readiness, and develops parents’ awareness that they are their child’s first teacher. We offer a pickup and drop off for families that need a lift and provide a healthy and delicious lunch for the children.
Youth Housing Support Program
Target group: Young people at risk of homelessness between the ages of 16-25 years
Referral process: Referrals may be received from external agencies, internally via BYFH, families, or individuals. Referral forms are available via the link above and should be emailed through to: referrals@byfh.org.au
About: Our Youth Housing Support Program is a ten-week, consent-based program providing intensive case management support to young people. Youth Housing aims to support young people to build on existing life skills and increase capacity, obtain safe and secure housing where possible, create pathways of interconnectedness within the community, identify existing support circles, prioritise personal well-being, set goals and work together towards them, and strengthen independent living skills. Clients may re-enter into the ten-week program by assessment of individual needs, participation, and commitment to working together.
Youth Reconnect
Target group: Young people experiencing homelessness, or at risk of homelessness, aged between 12 – 18 years.
Referral process: Referrals may be received from external agencies, internally via BYFH, families, or individuals. Referral forms are available via the link above and should be emailed through to: referrals@byfh.org.au
About: Youth Reconnect offers one to one case management support for young people experiencing personal challenges, disengagement from education pathways, difficulties within the home environment or at risk of homelessness. Youth Reconnect also offers group activities to support life skills, and on-country trips. With a focus on building a young person’s ability to be interconnected within their community, with their peers, family and youth workers, Youth Reconnect supports young people to move towards the goals they set for themselves with guidance along the way. It provides assistance with re-engagement with school or alternative education pathways, the setting and fulfillment of personal goals, skill development, the strengthening of resilience, and the creation of a sense of wellbeing.
Home Stretch
Target group: Young people between the ages of 17.5 – 21 years who have been in the Department of Communities, Child Protection Family Support.
Referral process: Referrals are received only from the Department of Communities.
About: Home Stretch gives young people who are leaving out of home care the choice to access extended levels of support until they reach the age of 21. The Home Stretch model is based on offering a Transition Coach—a consistent youth worker who helps build a young person’s self-reliance, independent living skills and connection to community culture and country; a housing allowance; a staying on agreement and subsidy, should a young person wish to ‘stay on’ with a carer or foster family for a little longer and encourages a young person’s existing or potential support circles. Home Stretch is a WA initiative that’s been co-designed with young people and it has a particular focus on young Aboriginal people and their families.
Kimberley Pathway Pilot
Target group: Young people between the ages of 15-17 years who are under the care of the Department of Communities, Child Protection Family Support.
Referral process: Referrals are received only from the Department of Communities.
About: Kimberley Pathway Pilot (KPP) provides a flexible and responsive service to the needs of young people (15-17) who are under the care of Child Protection Family Support Service. KPP offers a youth worker – a consistent form of support, working alongside Child Protection Case Managers to support young people move towards their leaving care goals to encourage a smooth transition into Home Stretch.
Drop In
Target group: 5—17
Referral process: No referrals, walk in
About: Drop In is a safe space where children and young people can participate in fun, meaningful and age-appropriate after-school activities, such as basketball, fishing, haircuts, gardening, music and cooking. We like to keep the activities fresh, so they change month-by-month. Drop In is also where our case managers and family support workers operate from; we make sure we follow up with families if there are any issues.
HYPE
Target group: 5—17
Referral process: No referrals, walk in
First established in Broome in 2003, Helping Young People Engage (HYPE) has been designed to reduce young people’s presence in public at night, reduce their contact with the juvenile justice system, promote their connection to their community and improve their overall well-being. We do this by transporting street present young people, or those accessing our Drop In activities, home, or to the home of a carer or trusted adult. Our staff also connect the young people to case managers, if they need it, and we work collaboratively with other service providers in Broome to ensure the young people receive wholistic support.
Target 120
Target group: Young people aged 10-14 years old and their families
Referral process: Referrals received only via Western Australian Police Force (WAPOL) or Department of Communities
About: Target 120 has been designed to work with at risk and recidivist young people and their families to reduce offending behaviour. The service addresses the underlying issues that lead to offending and crime, such as substance abuse, family and parenting issues, unstable housing, poor educational attendance, negative peer relations, domestic violence, and mental health issues. This is achieved through coordinated case management of all services, including across government and the non-government sector. We provide intense and individualised case management to ten eligible young people and their families at any one time.
When it comes to referrals, there are a couple of key things to remember. Anyone referred to BYFH’s services must be aware and consent to the referral being made to BYFH on their behalf. We also require consent from primary carers for young people under the age of 18 who are referred to our services. In the case of no responsible adult, a young person is able to consent for themselves if they have the understanding and maturity to do so. Clients can self-refer, by email, phone or dropping into our service locations. Clients can also decline referrals, as can BYFH, if the referral is outside of our program scope and ability to support a potential client.
As mentioned above, please ensure you access a referral form via the link above and once complete, email through to: referrals@byfh.org.au.
For more information about new and upcoming programs, please keep an eye on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Broomeyouthandfamilieshub and our website: www.byfh.org.au.