School Focused Youth Service

Working in partnership with schools and agencies to develop innovative and life enhancing opportunities for young people

Program background

School Focused Youth Service (SFYS) is a statewide service that was created in 1998 and developed in line with recommendations that came out of the Victorian Suicide Prevention Taskforce.

The Shire of Yarra Ranges Youth Service auspices the School Focused Youth Service (SFYS) Program in the Yarra Ranges.

About SFYS

SFYS is an initiative of the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (DEECD), in partnership with the Catholic Education Office and the Association of Independent Schools of Victoria.

The aim of the program is to develop a more coordinated and integrated response for young people aged 10-18, who are at risk of developing behaviours that make them vulnerable to self harm, disengagement from school, family or community, or who are displaying behaviours which require support and intervention.

SFYS works with schools and community organisations to facilitate supportive networks, develop collaborative projects, improve service gaps and improve the current service system for young people.

The SFYS Coordinator can act as a central reference point for advice and can support schools to build local relationships with agencies that assist the school in responding to issues with students and families.

In the context of Yarra Ranges

In 2010, a needs analysis was conducted with local schools and agencies. The following priorities from the needs analysis currently guide the work of SFYS in the Yarra Ranges:

 The full Needs Analysis Report can be downloaded via the link at the bottom of this page.

Brokerage Funding

The annual SYFS brokerage funding round of $50,000 opens Monday 2nd August and closes Friday 29th October, 2010. The brokerage round is offered once per year and is open to schools and agencies in the Shire to apply for funds to implement local projects.

Funding is available to establish new programs to enhance the resilience of young people and to improve their connectedness to school and the community. All applications must be a partnership between at least one school and one (preferably local) community agency.

Resources available

Yarra Ranges SFYS in partnership with other agencies has developed some resources to support local schools and service providers in their work. These include:

Self Harm Resource – a resource designed for secondary schools in collaboration with Eastern Health CAMHS, comprising a series of fact sheets for teachers, parents and students, guidelines for schools and a set-by-step flow chart for responding to student self harm.

Brokerage Booklet – highlighting the SFYS brokerage program and previously funded projects at both primary and secondary level, identifying partnerships, project outcomes and approximate amounts funded.

Key Youth Agency Contacts Poster – developed in 2009, the poster offers a snapshot of local services with information and phone numbers for schools and agencies in the Shire of Yarra Ranges.

Student Welfare Network

The Student Welfare Network is for primary and secondary school staff and community agency workers to share information, raise and respond to local issues, and facilitate linkages amongst schools and service providers. The network meets once per term at the Lillydale Lake and also offers professional development opportunities throughout the year.

Contact the SFYS Coordinator

For further details about the program, brokerage information, the student welfare network or to discuss support for your school or agency, please contact Katie Pulling, SFYS Coordinator at Shire of Yarra Ranges Youth Services.

Ph: 9294 6716 or email: k.pulling@yarraranges.vic.gov.au