Some young people face challenges that can make it harder for them to finish secondary school and successfully move on to other opportunities. Things that get in the way of a young person’s transition through and beyond school include:

• educational factors such as poor literacy or numeracy, poor academic performance, discouragement with school, bullying or alienation
• personal factors such as medical conditions, disabilities, substance abuse, low self-esteem, depression, poor social skills, poor discipline, or the inability to conform to community standards that affects participation levels
• social, cultural and community issues such as homelessness, family violence, a history of criminal behaviour or institutionalisation (for example, time spent in foster homes or correctional or other juvenile facilities), carer responsibilities or significant financial barriers.

Some young people face one or more of these issues and can still successfully move through school and beyond using their school’s counselling, and career development and support services.

However, a significant number of young people in Australian schools are disengaging, or at risk of disengaging, because they face all sorts of obstacles and are not getting the support they need. Youth Pathways aims to get more young people back into education—and help them stay there by providing the necessary support.