Next Step Adventures

Specialised, outdoor-based program for young offenders

Program Overview

Next Step Adventure is a forensic mentoring program designed for young people aged 6–22 engaged in offending. Through immersive, adventure-driven experiences, in peer-aligned groups, young people work toward understanding the impacts of their offending.

The program is delivered by qualified staff with TAFE and/or university training forensic behavioural science, youth mental health, and counselling.

Participants are supported to

Strengthen emotional regulation and interpersonal skills
Build independence in decision-making
Engage meaningfully with peers and the wider community
Navigate life transitions with greater confidence
Develop strategies for personal safety, wellbeing, and goal-setting
Increase school, TAFE or vocational attendance
Reduce offending behaviours

Program Aims

Grasp the impacts of their offending
Foster pro-peer engagements
Enhance self-awareness
Cultivate self-management
Improve emotional regulation
Enhance self-worth

Program Caters for Young People

Engaged in offending
At-risk of offending
Are disengaged from school and/or the community

Specifics

Young people are often placed in groups with pro-social peers
In managing risk all groups are dual-staffed
Group-based program with approx. 4 participants per group
Customised activities based on participant interests and goals

Structure

Organisation: most programs start and finish practical activities at the GOTYA Centre, Moe
Adventure recreation: kayaking, fishing, mountain biking, swimming, campfires, 4WDing, exploring bush/forest areas
Centre-based engagement: cooking, gaming,, table tennis, air hockey, PlayStation, Lego, board games, gaming PCs
Informal sport: skateboarding, basketball, soccer, wide-area games, playgrounds, tree climbing
Approach: psychoeducational, mentoring and emotional support embedded within activities

Group Formation
Groups are intentionally formed to foster safety, connection, and therapeutic benefit. Each group is:

Age-aligned: young people are grouped within similar age ranges to support peer connection and developmental appropriateness
Needs-responsive: beyond age, groupings consider individual support needs, emotional regulation capacity, and social confidence to ensure compatibility and safety
Consistent: groups remain stable across the term, with the same participants and mentors to build trust and continuity
Risk Managed: based on the background of the young person

Multidisciplinary Support
Staff collaborate to implement care plans. All programs are formally Case Noted to track progress and provide accurate feedback to carers, parents and other professionals.

Child Safety

GOTYA has zero tolerance for any form of violence, abuse, neglect, exploitation or discrimination. We recognise that children and young people are at higher risk than others in the community.

All staff are committed to maintaining processes to:

Prevent and protect against instances of violence, abuse, neglect, exploitation and discrimination;
Foster a ‘safety culture’ that supports individuals to be aware and report any actual or suspected risks of harm;
Provide environments which help young people to feel safe and supported; and
Encourage and support clients with choice, control, self-determination and capacity-building, where possible.

Full Child Safeguarding Policy

Referrals

GOTYA accept referrals from: