Starting a new life in a new country is a challenge. Young refugees and vulnerable migrants often need extra help and support to become and stay connected in their new community.
Youth Transition Support (YTS) services help young humanitarian entrants and vulnerable migrants aged 15 to 25 to participate in work and education.
YTS services improve workplace readiness, provide access to vocational opportunities, and create strong social connections through education and sports engagement.
Service providers deliver a range of projects and activities for participants, including connections with local employment services and jobs, and vocational or other further education opportunities.
YTS services are funded to 30 June 2024.
Service locations and providers
YTS services are delivered by six providers in 19 Local Government Areas in the following select locations:
- Access Community Services - Logan, Queensland
- Multicultural Australia - Brisbane, Queensland
- The Community Migrant Resource Centre (Parramatta) - Sydney, New South Wales
- The Lebanese Muslim Association - Sydney, New South Wales
- Foundation House - Melbourne, Victoria
- The Brotherhood of St Laurence - Melbourne, Victoria.
The areas with YTS services have high numbers of humanitarian entrants and vulnerable migrants and each provider is partnering with other settlement services, employers, schools, TAFEs, universities and other community and sporting organisations in their local area.
Youth Transition Support pilot period (January 2016 to June 2017) evaluation report
The Youth Transition Support (YTS) Pilot Period (January 2016 to June 2017) Evaluation Report, commissioned by MYAN as part of its support role for the YTS, analysed the initial 18-month pilot period from January 2016 to June 2017. Independent evaluator Synergistiq was contracted to determine the appropriateness, effectiveness and efficiency of the pilot program.
The YTS Pilot Report was published in July 2018 and found that YTS services are filling an important gap in the range of settlement services required by humanitarian entrants and other young migrants.
The Report indicated YTS services generated good short-term outcomes and showed some early success in medium term employment outcomes, such as increased employability for young people and clients completing vocational qualifications.
Providers have partnered with a range of agencies that are new to settlement services and have built productive relationships contributing to successful client outcomes.
Youth Transition Support services final evaluation report
An independent final evaluation of the YTS was conducted by independent evaluator Synergistiq and examined services between 1 January 2016 to 31 December 2018.
The
Youth Transition Support (YTS) Services Final Evaluation Report assessed program appropriateness, effectiveness and efficiency as well as the impact of YTS services on clients’ employment, education and social engagement outcomes 12 months to 3 years after program participation.
Client and program reporting data, stakeholder consultation, and feedback obtained through surveys and interviews, informed the evaluation. A literature review was also conducted.
Key findings of the report:
- Since commencement in January 2016 to December 2018, the YTS had serviced 10,035 young people.
- The scope of YTS services and support offered to assist migrant and refugee youth refugee was appropriate.
- YTS services have been effective in assisting young migrants to improve their education opportunities, employability skills, career opportunities, vocational skills and positive social interactions.
- Almost 1,300 clients obtained some form of paid employment (casual, part time, fulltime). However, the evaluation findings do not clearly indicate that gained employment was due to YTS services, with half of the respondees indicating they did not agree with the survey statement, ‘Because of the employment programs I have found a paid job’.
- Majority of YTS clients were satisfied with the services and support they received and indicated support was generally useful in helping to improve their understanding of different pathways and to address their needs.
- The evaluation was inconclusive about whether value for money was achieved due to the lack of comparative youth programs nationally or internationally, and the significant variation between providers in relation to cost per client, given the activities offered and outcomes achieved.
Youth Transition Support and Youth Hubs Trial evaluation report 2022
An evaluation of the Youth Transition Support (YTS) and Youth Hubs Trial (YHT) was completed in December 2022. The resulting report can be viewed at Young people with refugee and migrant background. The report assessed and proposed services for migrant and refugee young people aged 12 to 30 years of age, aiming to improve their social and economic participation by preparing them for employment and training, and by supporting connections to their local communities.
Some key findings from the report include:
- Services for migrant and refugee young people need to be flexible and responsive to address the differences and ongoing changes in young people’s needs. Settlement supports that young people with migrant and or refugee backgrounds receive can determine whether they can establish a rich and full life in Australia, or experience ongoing barriers to building and spending social capital.
- Addressing barriers results in positive outcomes for young people, their local communities and Australian society more broadly.
- YTS/YHT have demonstrated a number of benefits to young people and their communities, such as building language skills and confidence, supporting mental health and wellbeing, and supporting them to engage in education, training and employment.
- The establishment of the programs has also supported providers to foster partnerships with mainstream service providers, reduce duplication of services, and increase program reach, effectiveness and efficiency.
The outcomes of this evaluation will be assessed, and will inform future program design for services that support migrant and refugee young people.
