Some young people face challenges that make it difficult for them to remain engaged in school and their education. Some barriers may limit their ability to participate in education, training or employment or derail them completely, preventing them from achieving their potential. Difficulties or problems a young person may face can trigger anti-social or inappropriate behaviour that compromises their effective participation in the classroom.

Typically the most at-risk young people face multiple barriers, and they are unable to overcome this combination of challenges by themselves. Such barriers are often complex, do not always operate in isolation, and may be largely beyond their control. They 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 an inability to conform to acceptable community standards to such as extent that the person is unable to participate effectively in education, training or employment
• 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.

When students are not coping with difficulties they face, they can be involved in incidents and show behaviour at school can result in an acrimonious relationship with teachers and other staff. The clean slate provided by a ‘fresh face’ and ‘neutral territory’ through Youth Pathways can ease tensions and generate productive outcomes.