The delivery of Youth Pathways involves effective working relationships with schools and Local Community Partnerships in the service region. These relationships form a network that supports collaborative strategies to identify and refer to Youth Pathways those young people who are most at risk of disengaging from school.

Youth Pathways providers liaise with key contacts in schools to increase awareness of the Youth Pathways eligibility criteria, promote strategies to recognise young people at risk and publicise referral procedures for Youth Pathways.

Youth Pathways providers are responsible for determining an applicant’s eligibility. They are also helping schools to recognise students who are disengaging and to know how to refer them appropriately. This improves the efficiency and effectiveness of linking young people to the services they need.

In the 2006 Budget, the Australian Government committed $1.9 billion over five years to improve access to mental health services and provide additional support to people with mental illness, their families and their carers.

As part of this ‘Better Mental Health Services for Australia’ initiative, many improvements are being made to clinical and non-clinical services. Youth Pathways will have increased capacity—with the ability to help 25 500 young people per year. This means more help for those who may be experiencing mental health issues that keep them from successfully completing their education and a transition to further study or work.

Youth Pathways staff will also receive mental health training, so they are better equipped to support young people facing mental health issues.