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

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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

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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

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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:​​

• Parents/carers

• DFFH staff

• DOJCS Youth Justice Worker

• Victoria Police Youth Resource Officers

• Community Youth Workers

• Psychiatrists

• GPs

• Pediatricians

• Psychologists & Counsellors

• Social Workers

• Allied Health Workers

• Parents

• Authorised School staff

 

All referrals are completed via the GOTYA Portal. To request a referral,

please access the intake page.

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Program Handbook

Please download further information below:

Next Step Adventures