Crisis/Transitional Accommodation

Who can stay at YAP ?

The target group is young people between the ages of 15 and 25 who are homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness. YAP can also provide emergency accommodation (in consultation with Department for Child Protection) for young people between 12 and 14 years of age. Normally, young people under the age of 15 who access YAP crisis accommodation stay with the service, until alternate safe accommodation can be arranged.

Who can not stay at YAP ?

• Young people over the age of 25
• Young people under the age of 15 (without referal from DCP)
• Young people who pose a serious threat of violence to staff or clients
• Young people who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Young people who may be suffering from a highly contagious disease and need urgent medical attention

Why do young people come to YAP?

Young people can be homeless or run the risk of becoming homeless for many reasons. Some of these reasons include a breakdown in family relationships, being evicted or asked to leave accommodation, overcrowding issues, domestic violence or a lack of suitable housing in the Hedland area.

Does it cost anything to stay at YAP ?

Yes. If you are earning an income, you must pay rent to stay at YAP.

Rent is calculated according to each client's capacity to pay but you will not be excluded from accessing the service because you do not have any income. Clients over the age of 16 with an income will be required to pay 25% of their income (after tax) as rent. Board is paid on a client's pay day and then each week or fortnight after that.

How can YAP help young people in crisis?

Types of services:

• Assessment and Referral
• Basic Counselling
• Case Management
• Mediation
• Advocacy
• Assistance to access other services (such as the External Housing program)

Types of Support:

• Basic support such as accommodation, meals, laundry/shower facilities, recreation or transport to appointments or important locations. These supports are standard for SAAP crisis accommodation for young people .
• Information and advice - we have a range of information available for young people to read through or take away with them.
• Emotional support - we provide a comfortable, environment for young people to discuss the issues that are important to them. Clients' right to confidentiality and privacy is assured.
• Culturally specific support - support or assistance is delivered in a way that is sensitive to the client's cultural background. We may be able to refer young people service providers who also deliver culturally specific support, such as counsellors.
• Assistance to maintain family relationships. YAP clients are encouraged to establish or maintain contact with their families where appropriate. Mediation meetings may be provided when needed.
• Support in obtaining or maintaining short term accommodation at another place, such as Bunara Maya hostel, Women's Refuge. Typically, this would be for less than 3 months.
• Support in obtaining or maintaining medium term accommodation, such as SAAP or other medium term housing. There are no medium term housing services available to youth in the Hedland area so, very often, this means looking at accommodation options in the city. Typically, this would be for more than 3 months.
• Support in obtaining or maintaining independent housing which can be long term for the young person - private rental accommodation, boarding or owner occupied housing.
• Support in applying for government allowance through assisting young people with completing Centrelink applications or accompanying them to a Centrelink interview.
• Referral to appropriate employment and training programs. We stay in touch with a number or community organisations and can introduce you to some very helpful people!
• Referral to counselling and support people. There are a number of support services available to young people in Hedland and we can help by linking you in to these services.

Types of equipment and facilities available at YAP :

• Washing machine and iron
• Phone (as per House Expectations)
• Stereo (as per House Expectations)
• Television, and DVD players
• DVDs (both recreational and educational)
• Indoor Games (computer, board games, cards)
• Outdoor games (football, cricket)
• Magazines, books and pamphlets
• Stationery for school aged clients
• Linen (towel, pillow case, sheets and duvet covers)

What happens when you access YAP ?

When you request the service of YAP , staff will work through the following processes to determine how the service can help you. To begin with, they will ask you your name, age, date of birth and what has lead you to accessing YAP, including any issues you may be experiencing i.e. drug/alcohol, mental health, other behavioural problems. If the request for service can be met then the following will take place:

1. Staff will attend to your immediate crisis needs i.e. medical, food, clothing and hygiene.
2. You will be asked to sit down with a Youth Worker and assist them in completing an assessment form.
3. The House Expectations will be explained to you and you will be asked to sign a Resident's Agreement , stating that you agree to follow the YAP house rules.
4. You will be given a tour of the building and be shown how the house operates.
5. You will be shown to a room (that you may share with other clients) and staff may assist you to make your bed.
6. You will be introduced to other clients and staff.
7. Within 24 hours, a detailed assessment will be undertaken by the Senior Youth Worker. This will include discussions such as how to pay your YAP rent, case management, consent for release of information, informed consent (if information needs to be shared between services.
8. From the information provided during the assessment, staff will assist you to develop priorities and set goals using a Support Plan.
9. Staff will explain to you approximately how long you will stay and the process for exit planning. Other housing options will be explored during this discussion.
10. Using your Support Plan, staff will assist you in working towards achieving the goals you have identified for yourself. Staff will link you into education, training and employment opportunities, as well as other local support services, which may be able to help you.
11. Staff will make sure you understand your responsibilities within the Support Plan and, if necessary, will offer suggestions on how to carry out the tasks.
12. A regular meeting will be set so that you can review your Support Plan with your YAP Case Worker. Goals and actions may be changed through this process. It is also important that staff gain some understanding of how happy you are with your rate of progress through your Support Plan.
13. As you plan to exit the service, staff will sit down with you and look at what you have achieved so far and what you may be continuing to work on.
14. Staff will provide assistance to identify other support services within the community and your own support network which can help you remain independent.
15. A follow up plan will be discussed with you to ensure that further support from YAP can be provided at your request. Types of supports will be discussed with you at this stage, such as phone calls, face-to-face visits, participating in education programs, workshops or support groups run by YAP .
16. You will be asked to complete a Client Feedback Form that enables you to give YAP some feedback about how useful YAP services were for you during you support period.
17. You will be asked to wash the linen from your bed as well as clean your room prior to leaving the service.