About this resource
Outreach meets young people where they are. This checklist covers preparation, approaching respectfully, building trust over time, worker safety, offering practical help, follow-up and recording, in line with organisational procedures.
Purpose
To support safe, respectful and effective outreach.
Who it is for
Primary profession: Youth workers. Also relevant for community services and case workers.
Client or participant group: Youth outreach workers.
Practice setting: Street, park, school and community outreach.
Suggested uses
- Outreach shifts
- Worker orientation
- Supervision
- Program reviews
Instructions for practitioners
- Work in pairs where required.
- Respect young people's space and choices.
- Follow child safety procedures.
- Debrief after shifts.
Accessibility considerations
Carry information in plain language and other languages.
Scope and limitations
A practice checklist. Follow your organisation's outreach and safety procedures.
Research basis
Case management practice standards describe assessment, planning, coordination, review and planned exits with the person at the centre. Young people are more likely to seek help when they know where to go, trust the person and feel less stigma.
- Case Management Society of Australia and New Zealand. (2013). National standards of practice for case management (3rd ed.). https://www.cmsa.org.au/
- Rickwood, D., Deane, F. P., Wilson, C. J., & Ciarrochi, J. (2005). Young people’s help-seeking for mental health problems. Australian e-Journal for the Advancement of Mental Health, 4(3), 218–251. https://doi.org/10.5172/jamh.4.3.218
What is included
A 2-page printable A4 PDF, including a practitioner notes page with the research basis (version 1.0).
Originality
Original Practitioner Plus content: wording, activity structure, layout and icons were created for this resource. No third-party worksheets, illustrations or text were reproduced.
