Our Experience

We have a team of ​experienced key workers ​and therapeutic specialists ​dedicated to fostering ​resilience, emotional ​intelligence, and positive ​development, ensuring ​lasting, meaningful change.

Ou​r Detail

We deliver detailed case​ notes and compreh​ensive assessments offering​ valuable insights ​into each participant's ​progress, allowing us to t​ailor our interventions pr​ecisely.

Our Focus

By focusing on minimizing ​placement breakdowns, ​escalations, and behavioral ​concerns, we create a stable ​and supportive environment ​for both the participant and ​caregiver.

Choose ​Empower YOUth

for a compassionate, ​evidence-based approach ​that prioritizes the well-being ​and growth of every ​individual we serve.

Empowerment Connections Program

Discover our Empowerment Connections Program, tailored for participants aged 16 ​and above. Join us for empowering workshops, community engagement, ​personalized support, life planning, and holistic wellbeing initiatives. At Empower ​YOUth OoHC Services, we're dedicated to fostering your independence and growth ​in a supportive environment. Connect with us to embark on a journey of ​empowerment and meaningful connections.

Therapeutic Play Therapy

Our Therapeutic play therapy is a specialized approach that uses play and creative ​activities to support children in navigating their emotions, building coping strategies, ​and processing difficult experiences within a family context. It provides a safe space ​where siblings can also receive guidance and learn to support each other, promoting ​healthier family dynamics and emotional well-being for all involved.

Stable Foundations ​Program

Our 12-week program includes the option of ​one or more tailored respite session per week ​for participants and caregivers, addressing ​behaviour, school refusal, developmental ​delays, and trauma. Our experienced key ​workers and therapeutic specialists provide ​compassionate, individualized home-based ​care for children facing challenges such as ​suspensions and self-harm. We create a safe, ​nurturing environment to help children re-​engage with school, build resilience, and ​develop positive coping strategies for a ​brighter future.

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Behaviour Support

Our behavior support sessions are tailored to caregivers, foster parents, kinship ​carers, and parents seeking assistance with their child's behavior. Our dedicated ​team provides child-centred therapeutic guidance and strategies to help you ​navigate challenges effectively. Together, we'll work towards creating a positive and ​supportive environment for your child, fostering healthy relationships, and promoting ​positive behavior.

Counselling One-on-one

Welcome to our counselling program led by an ACA Accredited & Insured ​Counsellor. With expertise in behaviour support, trauma, and mental health youth ​work, our counselor is dedicated to providing a supportive and empowering ​environment. We believe in fostering positive change and growth, helping ​individuals overcome challenges and achieve their goals.

Theoretical Framework:

Dan Hughes' P.A.C.E Implementation: Fostering secure attachments and emotional ​resilience through playfulness, acceptance, curiosity, and empathy.

Bessel van der Kolk's Trauma-Informed Care: Prioritizing safety, trustworthiness, ​and empowerment to address trauma's impact on development.

Dr. Bruce Perry's Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics (NMT): Addressing ​trauma's impact on neurobiology through regulated, rhythmic interventions.

Attachment Theory Integration: Enhancing emotional well-being through secure ​caregiver-child relationships.

Evidence-Based Therapeutic Model

Our programs and services are designed to prioritize ​evidence-based practices for the holistic well-being of ​children and young individuals. By integrating trauma-​informed care, therapeutic interventions, and comprehensive ​strategies that encompass the child's entire environment, ​including caregivers and home settings, we foster supportive ​and nurturing environments conducive to healing and ​growth.

Impact and Outcomes

Our evidence-based approach aims to:

Improve Coping Skills and Resilience:

Children develop adaptive coping ​strategies to manage stress and adversity.

Enhance Emotional Regulation and ​Awareness:

Our interventions help children regulate ​their emotions and build emotional ​awareness.

Strengthen Caregiver-Child Relationships:

By working with caregivers, we promote ​secure attachments and strengthen familial ​bonds.

Increase Stability and Well-being:

Children experience increased stability and ​well-being in their home environments, ​leading to improved outcomes in various ​domains of functioning.

All Our Service​s Aim to Elevate:

• Autonomy Development: Our programs empower children to ​foster independence and essential life skills.
  
• Social Navigation: We guide children in building meaningful ​connections with peers, caregivers, and their community.
  
• Emotional Understanding: Our professionals help children ​develop emotional intelligence to recognize, express, and ​manage their emotions effectively.
  
• Co-Regulation: We create a supportive environment where ​children learn to manage stress and emotions healthily.
  
• Capacity Building for Care: We build children's capacity to give ​and receive care, fostering lifelong healthy relationships.
  
• Internalized Safety: We create a secure, predictable environment ​to instill a sense of safety and stability in children's lives.
  

Therapeutic ​Interventions and ​Strategies

Our tailored interventions include:

• P.A.C.E
  
• Play therapy
  
• Cognitive-behavioral techniques
  
• Art therapy
  
• Trauma informed practices
  

Program Integration

We emphasize the integration of trauma-informed practices and therapeutic interventions ​across all programs and services. By addressing the whole environment of the child, including ​caregivers and home settings, we ensure consistency and continuity of care. Our programs ​are designed to meet the complex needs of children and young individuals while empoweri​ng caregivers to support their healing journe​y.

By focusing on these evidence-based practices and comprehensive strategies, the progra​ms and services at Empower YOUth will create a path to healing, growth, and positi​ve development for every child we serv​e.

As Our Director

Mel brings over 15 years of experience in coaching and mentoring in community ​sports, alongside over 20 years of providing care in various settings, including ​out-of-home care. Committed to continuous development, Mel is currently ​pursuing a Graduate Diploma in Mental Health and Neuroscience. Her ​qualifications already include a Diploma in Counselling, Cert IV in Mental Health, ​and Youth Work. Mel's dynamic leadership integrates proficiency in sports ​management with extensive compassionate care experience, shaping Empower ​YOUth OoHC Services into a place where expertise meets empathy, dedicated to ​the well-being and development of every individual we serve.

CPD Courses

• Foundational Training in Intensive ​Therape​utic Care
• Positive Behaviou​r Support
• Restrictive ​Practices
  
• Supporting a Person with​ a Mental Health ​Condition
  
• Supporting People wi​th Autism
  
• Introductio​n to NDIS
  
• Diversity in the ​Workplace
  
• Abuse and Mandatory ​Reporting
  
• Child Protection ​Reporting
  
• Ar​t Therapy
• Advanced CB​T Diploma
• Cognitive Behavioural Therap​y Diploma
• Child Psycholog​y Diploma
  

Qualifications

• Graduate Diploma in Mental ​Health and Neuroscience (in ​progress)
  
• Diploma in Counselling
  
• Cert IV in Mental Health
  
• Cert IV in Youth Work
  

Accreditation

Holds relevant certifications and accreditations in ​accordance with state and national standards.

Registered counsellor with Australian Counselling ​Association.

As Our Th​erapeutic Specialist

Penny is a motivated professional with a diverse background in child care, ​psychology, and trauma. Holding a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and ​certifications in Trauma-Informed Care, Penny provides invaluable therapeutic ​guidance within our holistic approach. Her dedication to understanding and ​addressing the unique needs of each individual enhances the quality of support ​across all our programs. Penny's expertise, combined with her commitment to ​ongoing learning, plays a crucial role in empowering young people to overcome ​challenges and reach their full potential.

Accreditation

Holds relevant certifications and accreditations in ​accordance with state and national standards.

CPD Courses

• Certification in Trauma-Informed Care
• Restrictive Practices
  
• Supporting a Person with a Mental ​Health Condition
  
• Supporting People with Autism
  
• Diversity in the Workplace
  
• Abuse and Mandatory Reporting
  
• Child Protection Reporting
  
• Child Psychology Diploma
  

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Psychology
  

Save the page and check back regularly!

This page will have regular updates with resources we have created ​for our participants and used in our sessions. You can download these ​resources for free or check out the games we have developed at ​Empower YOUth to get a copy for use with your child, clients, or ​participants. These resources are designed to support counselling, ​play therapy, or home environments by helping children recognise ​their emotions, understand safety, and comprehend their behaviours.

Mel, our creative genius, holds a degree in graphic design and ​packaging and is always finding fun ways to support children dealing ​with trauma. These resources are suitable for parents, grandparents, ​teachers, counsellors, and others.

Go​t An Idea?

Do you have a subject or concept you ​need to address with a participant, ​client, or your child? Reach out to us, ​and we can collaborate to create ​something inventive. We think outside ​the box!