Lucy

Lucy came to Youth Options wanting to build on her 3 years of employment where she worked in administration roles including for an NDIS plan manager. She had the courage to know she wanted a role that was a better fit for her and engaged our career development capacity building services to build her confidence and skills to achieve this. We were inspired by Lucy’s attention to detail, diligence, customer service skills, and her commitment to dedicate herself to make a valued contribution to her future employers.

We matched her to our career development mentor who developed deep insights into Lucy as a person in order to empower her to build her confidence and skills to identify and successfully apply for roles that aligned to her career aspirations. They did this through personality quizzes, career planning, and refining her interview skills alongside another mentee who was also going through the same process as a shared learning experience.

During this time Lucy was successful in her application for a short-term contract in an administration role at the Hutt Street Centre in the Adelaide CBD. Our service empowered her with the confidence and skills to advocate for an extension of her role which she succeeded in. Her short-term contract was extended, twice, such was the extent to which the organisation valued her work.

Lucy’s self-confidence increased so much so she realised it was time to aim higher and she successfully applied for a full time administration role in the Australian Public Service in Canberra through the Aurora program. Since May 2023 she has been working as a valued member of her team and her manager has praised her work and has indicated they will support the extension of Lucy’s employment beyond the program.

Lucy has identified her role has enabled her to learn valuable project and program management skills, grow in confidence, and she is keen to continue to develop her networking skills professionally and personally.

We are so very proud of Lucy over the 4 months she was in our service and the inspiring example she sets. We wish her every success in her career!

Lucy has this to stay about her experience of her career development mentor:

I love how he believes in me and other clients. He has already shown me what I am capable of doing in the workplace. He makes me believe in myself! He takes the time to get to know me. He already knows so much. I like how he listens and encourages and doesn’t let my disability stop me from achieving what I want in my life, and that includes employment. He is super friendly and approachable and really good with people!
 



Sam Alexander

Sam is a NDIS Youth Mentor in the YO Makerspace. Sam has completed his Diploma in Live Production and Technical services and a Certificate 3 in Individual Support. Sam has a wide range of skills that include Woodwork, IT Skills, 3d Printing, CNC knowledge and Horticulture. Sam has worked in a variety of fields including working on film sets and in a theatre workshop. Sam is passionate about empowering young people’s creativity and providing mentorship and guidance to help them realise their goals. 



David Dew

David is a youth mentor helping to facilitate and mentor young people within the YO MakerSpace NDIS program. David completed his Diploma in Youth Work from Open Colleges after over 25 years of customer service experience working within the different areas in the plumbing trade sector. David proudly served his country in the Australian armed services for 10 years domestically and abroad in a variety of roles. David’s passion lays with working and advocating with young people and individuals from different backgrounds helping them to find pathways to their goals and to negate barriers along their journey.

Arts and Crafts

The Arts and Crafts program is designed to encourage participants to attend FLO and engage with the service.

Participants will engage in hands-on activities in a small group setting, the program gives participants the opportunity to engage in a small group and learn new skills, including communication skills, following written and/or spoken instructions, and sharing of equipment and supplies.

Sessions comprise several different craft activities, with the expectation that each participant will try the activity before declaring it to be too hard. Also available during sessions are ‘how to draw’ books, and colouring supplies

  • Friendship bracelets
  • Chain Maille jewelry (takes multiple sessions)
  • Diamond Dot coasters
  • Painting and drawing
  • Candle making

Kym Hayward

With a diverse career spanning several industries, Kym’s accumulated invaluable experience and expertise. Beginning in the building industry with a focus on roof tiling, Kym ventured into entrepreneurship early on, establishing his first business. Transitioning into culinary arts, Kym honed his skills as a chef in prestigious establishments throughout the Barossa Valley, before rediscovering his passion for hands-on work in earthmoving. Managing his own earthmoving enterprise for many years, Kym later seized the opportunity to oversee commercial kitchens at Maggie Beer’s renowned establishments.

Returning to earthmoving to prioritise family commitments, Kym specialised in large-scale construction and civil projects until a workplace injury prompted a shift in direction. Pursuing further education, Kym obtained certifications in Community Service and Youth Work, completing my Cert IV in 2023. Motivated by a desire to bridge the gap between formal education and real-world readiness for young people, Kym found fulfilment in youth work, striving to equip them with essential life skills.

Guy McRedmond

Guy’s journey to Youth Work is marked by diverse experiences and a profound dedication to serving others. From his beginnings as a Musician in the Royal Australian Navy to his time spent honing his culinary skills as a qualified chef, Guy has always embraced new challenges with enthusiasm and determination.

Guy’s early years in the Navy provided him with not only a deep appreciation for music but also invaluable lessons in discipline, teamwork, and leadership.

Transitioning from the military, Guy pursued his culinary aspirations, undertaking an adult apprenticeship in Cheffing. His time as a chef allowed him to express his creativity and develop a keen understanding of the importance of attention to detail, perseverance, and the ability to adapt to new environments.

Drawing upon his diverse background and life experiences, Guy is deeply committed to empowering and mentoring today’s youth, guiding them towards a path of self-discovery, personal growth, and academic achievement.

Resilience

CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT NDIS SERVICES ENQUIRY

The resilience program aims to build the capacity of mentees to make more productive decisions, more frequently, that empower them to progress more consistently and quickly on their pathway towards achieving their NDIS goals.

This is within the context that fundamentally, stretch goals are generally not achieved because not enough time is spent consistently working towards them. This is typically because of reactions to external situations in terms of thoughts and feelings that result in a decision to cease working towards them. While these thoughts and feelings are valid and are understandable, this can result in achievable goals not being reached.

Resilience in this context, involves their empowerment to build their skills to more consistently stay on the pathway to their goals. This includes reflecting on events that have deflected them from their pathway and anticipating possible future events that may distract them from their pathway and the capacity to make difference choices to continue on their pathway despite these. Participants learn and apply the resilience concepts through an individualised and very small group setting in a dynamic and non-clinical setting that is directly relevant to building their capacity to achieve their NDIS goals as they relate to increased community and social participation and employment.

The concepts are underpinned by core concepts and evidence bases in: neurochemistry as it relates to neuroplasticity for learning and motivation, positive psychology, cognitive behavioural therapy, acceptance commitment therapy, and behavioural change, within a framework of reward based learning.

The resilience program empowers participants to become more:

  • Aware of what choices are within their influence that will enable them to progress towards their goals;
  • Aware of daily habits that are helping and those that are making it harder for them to achieve their goals;
  • Accepting of the behavioural change process to actively what they have learnt to progress on their pathway to achieve their goals;
  • Self-motivated;
  • Positive in their outlook of their goals and the pathway to achieve them;
  • Able to manage the fear response in the context of triggers and setting events;
  • Able to set relevant and tangible goals including reflecting on outcomes of their choices to work towards them;
  • Confident to use supports and networks in their home, community, and future work environments to help them achieve their goals.

Funded by

  • CB Increased Social and Community Participation;
  • CB Finding and Keeping A Job;
  • School Leaver Employment Support (SLES);
  • Improved Daily Living 15_037_0117_1_3;
  • Core assistance with social, economic, and community participation.

Download the ‘Resilience’ Flyer

Nathan Lobo

Nathan is a Youth Options NDIS Mentor. He provides a multitude of services across various programs offered here at Youth Options Inc. These include providing case management, career development support, learning programs, life skills programs, and job search assistance to disengaged and at-risk youth living with a disability.
Programs that Nathan facilitates among others include Drive Me, which supports clients get their driving hours and skills up. Career building utilising Information Technology, ranging from basic computation skills to working with 3D rendering, texturing, 3D printing.

Nathan previously owned a business in Support Work upon graduating from UniSA with a Bachelors of Psychological Science and a Masters in Social Work. This has assisted him in providing a high quality individualised service for each client.

HOSPO Case Study

Youth Options Hospo Prepped Program commenced in the first half of 2022 after the State Government of South Australia identified the Hospitality Industry had a desperate need for skilled workers, particularly after Covid had hit the industry hard over the previous 2 years.

Youth Options, in partnership with Registered Training Organisation Adelaide Institute of Hospitality, have created a 4-week Hospitality Program designed to provided Young People aged between 18 and 25 with the necessary skills and knowledge to be ready to commence working in the Hospitality Industry upon completion.

Hospo Prepped consists of 9 accredited Cert II and Cert III level Hospitality units, delivered by the RTO, covering both Front of House and Back of House areas of the industry. These units include Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA), Prepare and Serve Espresso Coffee, and Preparing Dishes Using Basic Methods of Cookery.

hospo-1

Youth Options also delivers our Pathfinder Career Development Program during Hospo Prepped, which gives Young People the tools they need to identify their own individual goals and career paths. Pathfinder also incorporates Industry Tours, where each cohort of Young People get to experience the day to day workings of various different Hospitality businesses around Adelaide.

hospo-2
hospo-3

Hospitality is an ideal industry for Young People to commence work in, be it part time whilst they work towards other goals or undertake further studies, or as a long-term career.

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hospo-5

A Name That Makes Sense
Youth Options – Young Lives Transformed

To better transform young lives, sometimes we need to transform ourselves.

For more than 30 years, Employment Options has empowered marginalised young people in South Australia to transform their lives and lead a life of purpose.

Our ability to belong and live with purpose is intrinsically linked to our capacity to learn, earn, and live.

Over the last few years, clients, stakeholders, partners, and community have consistently told us that our name ‘Employment Options’ does not convey the breadth of the services we provide and the outcomes and impacts we achieve for clients and community.

We consulted widely with both internal and external stakeholders to assist us in choosing a name that makes sense – Youth Options.

We have also chosen a tag line that reflects the impact we achieve – Young Lives Transformed.

You will still see our hashtags in social media: #EveryoneDeservesAWorkingFuture and #LearnEarnLive, including #ExpereintialLearning and #FlexibleLearningOptions.

Youth Options will continue to help young people aged 14 to 30 to build their capacity to set and achieve their goals for a thriving future. We do this by nurturing trusted partnerships to help each person:

  • overcome their barriers
  • realise their own potential
  • safely shift self-limiting beliefs and behaviours, and
  • access the tools and support they need to explore and shape the future they imagine.

We will continue to work with young people before they begin applying for jobs to engage them in their future.
Our Vision, Mission and Values remain unchanged, in fact we are even more resolute to support Young South Australians achieve:

  • Satisfaction with life,
  • Living Independently in a Connected World, and
  • Benefit from Sustained Employment

Over the next couple of months, you will notice subtle changes in our branding, messaging and marketing as we update our website, social media and marketing collateral to our new name of Youth Options.
With YOUR support, we can continue to make sure every young person in South Australia has a real pathway to an inspired and purposeful life.

“Together, we help people grow, feel good about themselves and hopeful for the future.”
– Michelle Braham, CEO, Youth Options

Seed2Plate

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Cultivate a Healthy Career and Life!

Seed2Plate is a program for NDIS participants to engage in the planting, growing, harvesting and cooking of various foods.

This program aims to teach participants a range of skills such as:

  • Horticulture & Gardening Career Exploration
  • Independent Living Skills
  • Social Skills
  • Healthy Cooking & Eating
  • Workplace Communication & Teamwork
  • Work Health and Safety

Work, have fun and learn in the great outdoors!

Mondays – 9am to 2pm – Career and Employment Focus

Thursdays – 9am to 2pm – Independent Living Skills Focus

Depending on your NDIS funding category the cost is approx. $325 per session (6 hours), per participant.

Ideal for participants with School Leaver Employment Supports (SLES) funding.

Download the ‘Seed2Plate’ Flyer

Privacy Policy

Protecting Your Privacy

Youth Options Inc is committed to protecting the privacy of your personal information. This policy sets out the way we handle your personal information including the use and disclosure of your personal information, as well as your right to access your personal information.

This policy only applies to our databases and files and does not cover any State, Territory or Commonwealth Government database or file. You are advised to contact the relevant government agency for a copy of their privacy policy.

Your Personal Information

In order to provide you youth, career development, training and related services, we may need to collect personal information such as name, address, date of birth, email address, telephone numbers, work history, education history, qualifications, employment status, career details or other information generally contained in a resume. Some programs also require criminal history checks.

Youth, career development, training and related services includes training and skills development programs, mentoring and individual support, career development activities such as career investigation and action planning, aptitude testing for some types of employment, referral to other support services, referral to education or training programs, and assistance to access education or employment.

Collection

Where practicable, Youth Options Inc will endeavour to collect personal information directly from you. We will need to collect personal information from you such as your name, your address, your date of birth, your qualifications, your skills, your previous employment history, your education details, and details of drivers’ and other licences you hold in order to provide you with employment and associated services.

As a contracted service provider to the Australian Government and SA State Government, we may also collect personal information about you from their departments and agencies.

To provide you with youth, career development, training and related services we may also collect personal information from other third parties such as any referees nominated by you, educational institutions, other service providers, and enforcement authorities.

At the time that, or as soon as practicable after, Youth Options Inc collects your personal information we will take reasonable steps to ensure that you are made aware of:

Youth Options Inc’s identity and how you can contact us;

  • your rights with regard to accessing your personal information;
  • the purpose for which your personal information was collected;
  • to whom we usually disclose your personal information;
  • any law that requires us to collect particular personal information; and
  • the main consequences, if any, for you if you do not provide all or part of the information we require.

Youth Options Inc will only collect personal information by fair and lawful means and not in an unreasonably intrusive manner.

Use and Disclosure

We will use our best efforts to ensure that the information you provide to us remains private and is used only for the purposes you agree to.

Youth Options Inc will not reveal, disclose, sell, distribute, rent, license, share or pass your personal information on to a third party, other than those that we have an agreement with ensuring that the third party affords your personal information similar levels of protection as we do.

In order to provide you with youth, career development, training and related services, we may need to disclose your personal information to third parties such as potential employers, other service providers, and providers of work experience placements.

Further, we may use and disclose your personal information to provide you with youth, career development, training and related services specified to you at the point of collection or for another purpose if:

  • you would reasonably expect us to disclose it for that purpose;
  • that purpose is related to the purpose specified to you at the time of collection.
  • Youth Options Inc reasonably believes that the use is necessary to lessen or prevent a serious and imminent threat to an individual’s life or health;
  • Youth Options Inc has reason to suspect that unlawful activity has been, or is being engaged in, and uses the information as part of its investigation, or in reporting its concerns to the relevant authority;
  • the use and disclosure is specifically authorised by law; or
  • the use and disclosure is reasonably necessary for the enforcement of the criminal law, a law imposing a pecuniary penalty, or for the protection of the public revenue.

Youth Options Inc does not use or disclose your personal information for the purposes of direct marketing unrelated products or services.

Data Quality

Youth Options Inc will take reasonable steps to ensure that your personal information is accurate, complete and up-to-date. You are encouraged to help us keep your personal information accurate, complete and up-to-date by contacting your consultant or this organisation and informing us of any changes to your details. You can contact us on (08) 8388 6600 on any business day.

Data Security

At Youth Options Inc we are committed to protecting the privacy of your personal information. We take reasonable steps to protect your personal information from misuse, loss and from unauthorised access, modification or disclosure. We ensure this by having such security measures as:

  • Individual password access to systems and databases
  • Secure file cabinets
  • Building security systems

We will also take reasonable steps to destroy or permanently de-identify personal information if it is no longer required for any purpose.

The Internet and Your Privacy

Youth Options Inc uses the Internet in order to provide youth, career development, training and related services. The following statement outlines how in the context of our web site your information is protected and recorded. By using the site you consent to the uses and disclosures outlined previously in this privacy policy.

The Internet and Your Privacy

Youth Options Inc takes reasonable steps to protect your security when using our site but you should be aware that no transmission of information to and from a website is ever totally secure.

While we will strive to ensure the personal information transmitted to or from our website is secure and protected from unauthorised access, we cannot fully guarantee the security of your information. Transmission is at your own risk.

Youth Options Inc uses a range of security measures, including password access to some services available on the Youth Options Inc website.

Links to Other Sites

Our web site contains links to other sites, which are not subject to our privacy standards, policies and procedures. You will need to review those web sites directly to ascertain their privacy policies and practices.

Cookies

Youth Options Inc’s website uses cookies. Cookies are pieces of information that a website can transfer to an individual’s computer for record keeping. Cookies can make using our website easier to navigate by storing your individual preferences. This will enable you to take full advantage of the services that our website offers. The use of cookies is a widely used industry standard and you’ll find most major websites use them.

You can configure your hard-drive to not accept cookies; however you may lose some functionality.

Access and Correction

You will be provided with the opportunity to access the personal information we hold on you and where appropriate, you may be able to correct that information if it is deemed to be incorrect.

You may be required to fill out a form in order to obtain access to your personal information. This form can be obtained from any staff member.

There may be some cases where we are unable to provide you access to your personal information; however Youth Options Inc will explain the reasons why this access was denied.

Identifiers

Youth Options Inc will not adopt as its own identifier an identifier that has been assigned by a government agency.

Where practicable Youth Options Inc will not use or disclose an identifier assigned to an individual by a government agency.

Anonymity

Whenever it is lawful or practicable, you will have the option of not identifying yourself when dealing with Youth Options Inc

Due to the nature of the services being provided to you this will be in very limited cases.

Sensitive Information

Youth Options Inc will not collect personal information revealing your racial or ethnical origin, political opinions, religious or philosophical beliefs, trade-union membership, or details of health, disability or sexual activity or orientation unless:

  • your consent has been obtained; or
  • the collection is required or specifically authorised by law; or
  • the collection is necessary to prevent or lessen a serious and imminent threat to the life or health of any individual, where the subject of the information is physically or legally incapable of giving consent; or
  • the collection is necessary for the establishment, exercise or defence of a legal claim.

Resolving Privacy Concerns

You are able to raise any concerns you may have regarding our personal information handling practices by either discussing your concerns with your personal consultant or by calling Youth Options Inc on (08) 8398 2355 on business days. Your complaint will be managed and resolved through our Customer Complaints policy and procedures.

Complaints about our management of your personal information may also be made to the Australian Information Commissioner by following the procedures at:

http://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/making-a-privacy-complaint

Contacting Us

If you have any questions about our Privacy policy, or about the way we manage your personal information:

You can write to us at Youth Options Inc – 40 Sturt Street, Adelaide, SA 5000

You can phone our offices on 08 8388 6600

You can email us at hello@youthoptions.org.au

Terms & Conditions

Website Terms and Conditions

Youth Options is committed to protecting the privacy of certain information of visitors to our website.

Information Collected

Youth Options web server automatically collects:

  • A visitor’s domain name. It generally does not recognise a visitor’s e-mail address.
  • A record as to what web pages a visitor visits and analytics data.
  • Information submitted by a visitor (such as enquiry information, registration for a program and/or website purchase).

Purpose of collection of information

The information Youth Options collects from its visitors is used to improve the content of Youth Options website.

If a visitor provides Youth Options with their email address, the email address may be used to mail visitors information on new products and services or upcoming events. If a visitor does not wish to receive such an email, the visitor should let Youth Options know via email or telephone.

If a visitor provides Youth Options with their telephone number, the telephone number may be used to call visitors to advise them of new products and services or upcoming events. If a visitor does not wish to receive such telephone calls, the visitor should let Youth Options know via email or telephone.

If a visitor does not wish for their information to be used, the visitor should let Youth Options know via email or telephone.

The information Youth Options collects from visitors will not be disclosed to other organisations for commercial purposes.

Relevant Legislation and Policy

Personal information of visitors is dealt with in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 and Youth Options’ Privacy Policy. The rights of visitors to access personal information are set out in Youth Options’ Privacy Policy.

Change in Policy

From time to time, Youth Options may change the purpose of collection of information (see the section above regarding ‘Purpose of collection of information’). If Youth Options’ policy changes, information collected prior to the policy change will not be subject to the policy change.

Policy Coverage

This Policy covers the Youth Options website at https://employmentoptions.com.au It does not cover links from this website.

Disclaimer

All of the information enclosed on this website is accurate at the time of publishing, but may, at any time, be altered. The information published on this website is intended to provide general information in summary form. Users should make their own judgements and/or seek independent advice when evaluating the accuracy and usefulness of the information provided on this website. You assume all risks associated with the use of the website including risk of computer, software or data being damaged by any virus which may be transmitted via the website or your access to it and the risk that the content of this website complies with laws of any country outside Australia. Youth Options reserves the right to revise the information and data on this website without notice.

Copyright

The material on this website is protected by copyright. You may download, print and display material from this site only for your personal and non-commercial use, provided you keep intact all copyright and other proprietary notices.

Work With Us

Youth Options is a community-based charitable organisation which provides high quality services for over 30 years to people in our local communities, especially to young people, unemployed people, or those who are disadvantaged.

Youth Options is a Public Benevolent Institution (PBI) and have Deductible Gift Recipient status (DGR). Youth Options helps disadvantaged people to plan and achieve employment and education goals. We believe in a community where everyone can achieve their working future.

We help people grow, feel good about themselves and hopeful for the future. We achieve this with Integrity, Respect, Connectedness, Collaboration, Innovation and Entrepreneurial Thinking.

Everyone Deserves A Working Future!
Do you agree with this?
If so, you might be just the sort of person we are looking for.

Youth Options Current Vacancies

Customer Complaints

We understand that occasionally issues may arise, and you may have a complaint. This document explains how we handle complaints and gives information about how you can make your complaint.

Youth Options is committed to its responsiveness to the needs and concerns of our service users. Any complaint, dispute, appeal or feedback received will be treated as an opportunity to gather essential information about issues affecting service users, stakeholders and other interested parties, and as an opportunity to improve our services.

Complaints can be made to Youth Options, or through other avenues such as the relevant Government Department, Ombudsman, or Commissioner. Some contact details are included in this document, and staff can help in locating contact details for other agencies.

CLICK HERE TO LODGE YOUR COMPLAINT

How we Handle Complaints

Visibility and Access

Information about how and where to complain will be well publicised to all our service users, staff and stakeholders.

Our processes for making a complaint aim to be accessible to all, including people with specific needs (for example, for an interpreter)

Customer-Focused Approach

Youth Options acknowledges the right of service users and the public to complain when dissatisfied with a service, and encourages feedback from service users, staff and the public generally.

We expect our staff to be ‘complaints friendly’ and not defensive or negative about feedback and complaints. Complainants have the right to have support in making a complaint and the right to be protected from any form of retribution.

Responsiveness

Complaints will be acknowledged and addressed promptly; complainants will be treated courteously and kept informed of the progress of their complaint through the complaints handling process. If a process may take more than 60 days, you will be notified in writing, and kept informed of progress.

Objectivity

Each complaint will be addressed in an equitable, objective and unbiased manner through the complaints handling process.

Charges

There will be no charge to complainants for making a complaint, nor for accessing the complaints handling process

Confidentiality

Information about a complainant will be used only for addressing the complaint within Youth Options, and will be actively protected from disclosure, unless the complainant expressly consents to its disclosure.

Investigation of complaints

Every reasonable effort will be made to investigate all the relevant circumstances and information surrounding a complaint. Investigations will be conducted in a fair and objective manner and will ensure natural justice is observed wherever practicable.

Resolution of complaints

Following an appropriate investigation, Youth Options will offer a response, for example, to correct the problem and prevent it happening in the future. This will be communicated to the complainant as quickly as possible.

Complaints will be resolved with as little formality and dispute as possible, and the remedy sought by the complainant will always be considered as a first option.

Complainants will be provided with progress reports if quick resolution of their complaint is not possible.

Accountability

Youth Options will ensure accountability by assigning responsibility for all aspects of complaints receipt and handling, and through the monitoring of complaint trends and outcomes by senior management.

Continual Improvement

Our complaints handling process is reviewed periodically to enhance effectiveness

What to do if you have a complaint

We encourage you to start by discussing your issue with the staff member who is assisting you, or with the staff member you have an issue with.

If you can’t, or don’t want to do that, you can ask to speak to:

The Operations Manager
The Program Manager of the program you have an issue with, or
You may also put your complaint in writing if you prefer and address it to any of these managers.

Your complaint, appeal or assessment review request will be recorded in our complaints and appeals register, and a senior staff member will work with you to resolve your issue as quickly as possible.

Other Agencies

You may also take your complaint directly to another relevant agency, including:

For FLO Services :

Contact the enrolling school of the student,

Customer Feedback Unit
Phone: 1800 677 435
Email: Education.EducationComplaint@sa.gov.au

Website: www.education.sa.gov.au

For National Disability Insurance Scheme:

NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission

Website: NDIS Commission

Phone: 1800 035 544

Disability Advocacy – Find advocacy services near you

People with disability who need someone to speak up for them can use Ask Izzy to search for independent Disability Advocacy providers in their area. These services provide access to professionals who can ensure the choices and rights of people with disability are respected and they are being treated fairly.

Website: Ask Izzy

Department of Employment – RET

Website: Feedback and enquiries

Phone: 1300 488 064

Customer Complaints Form

Job Interview Skills

We know that going to interviews can be a difficult and intimidating situation. But worry know more, because we are here to help improve your interview skills and feel confident about the situation.

We offer a 45 minute trial interview in a real-world environment. The interview isn’t real, but it comes with real feedback, identifying ways you can improve from a supportive and experienced interviewer. Sourced from real job ads, you get to choose from 7 ‘Sample Jobs’ you can to practice for.

1. Trades Assistant

2. Landscaper

3. Kitchen Hand

4. Admin Assistant

5. Retail Assistant

6. Sales Assistant

7. Food Production Worker

You will undertake a self-assessment to identify where you think you need the most help and practice. Lodge an expression of interest with us and we will contact you or your case manager/DES provider to book you in!

Call 8388 6600 or email hello@youthoptions.org.au to register your interest.

More confidence, more communication skills, more independence.

Drive Me (non NDIS)

Drive Me – Mentoring Program (non NDIS)

Drive me is a Driving Experience Mentoring Program to help you get the required 75 hours for your P’s. 

 The goal of this program is to overcome your challenges for getting your P’s, increase opportunities to learn about employment or traineeships, and acquire necessary skills and develop good driving behaviour.  

  • You will participate in a four-hour road safety program, before driving practice commences. 
  • We will provide you with a Trained Driving Mentor (Responsible Supervising Driver)  
  • Your Driving Mentor may be a volunteer with Youth Options 
  • We will provide the use our modified car to undertake driving practice 

 For fees and charges, please contact Youth Options on 08 8388 6600. 

Please Note: To start the Drive Me Program a minimum of 4 lessons and must be completed with a professional driving instructor and the final driving test must be successfully completed with a professional driving instructor (depending on your funding this cost may not be included in the Drive Me Program).  

For extra information, please contact Youth Options’ Operations Manager: Rick Henke on his email: rick.h@eoinc.com.au 

Download the ‘Drive Me’ Flyer

Learn the Tools of Trades

Rule the Tools is a program to help participants learn about and familiarise themselves with common tools used in trade-base apprenticeships and traineeships, but also for Trade Assistant and Labouring Jobs. Activities can include group and individual work. Activities will include watching demonstrations on the safe and effective use of tools as well as using those tools themselves.

They will work on a small project that will put what they have learnt into practice. Participants will learn to apply instructions and techniques in the use of tools to undertake a task. They will learn trade specific terminology and language and use oral communication to describe their projects and tasks. Participants will learn to work in a team environment and share tools and resources, including clean-up and pack-up. Activities will include measuring distances and volumes. 

Speak to your jobactive, transiton to work or DES provider TODAY.

or Call Youth Options on 08 8388 6600

Download The Rule The Tools Flyer

Get Moving (non NDIS)

Get Moving – Mentoring Program (non NDIS)

Get Moving is a learning program for Young People to obtain their Learner’s permit for driving.  

Get Moving Includes activities to learn road rules, undertake practice tests and support to attend testing centre.  

 

The Goal is to get your L’s – (Learners Permit) 

 

 For fees and charges, please contact Youth Options on 08 8388 6600. 

Download the ‘Get Moving’ Flyer

Furniture, Homeware & Arts Training

FHAT Designs

“Furniture, Homeware & Arts Training”

  • Create quality products
  • Learn to start your own business
  • Meet with artists and guest speakers
  • Explore your career pathways

Why Join?

FHAT Designs provides you with the training to develop your own pathway into the furniture, homeware and arts industry. Youth Space is part of a suite of programs within Youth Options. and is a Department for Education Approved Panel Provider for Cases Management Services and Flexible Learning Programs.

What: Practical based learning program creating products and options for pathways. Accreditation per school

Where: Sturt Street Youth Hub, 40 Sturt Street, Adelaide

Essential Criteria:

  • Young People 18 to 25 years old
  • Pathway interests or skills in:
    • Furniture construction or renovation,
    • homewares,
    • art & design including: sculpture, drawing, printing, wood, metalwork acrylic, concrete, textile, paint.

Woodworking Program

A learning program – allowing participants to engage in creative woodwork projects to:

  • Increase their awareness and understanding of WHS and Workshop safety signs and instructions.
  • Learn how to safely and effectively use hand and power tools such as: saws, drills, sanders, grinders, hammers, screw drivers, planers, and more!
  • Learn to read and follow project plans, diagrams and instructions.

Our mentors are trained and experienced in strengthening participant confidence and self-esteem, independent living skills, communications skills and social skills.

Delivery Location and Methodology

Sturt Street Youth Hub, 40 Sturt Street, Adelaide.

This program will be delivered in our workshop.

Support Category/Registration Group

Core – 0125 – participation in community, social and civic activities

Capacity Building – 0116 – innovative community participation

Capacity Building – 0117 – Development of Daily living and life skills

School Leaver Employment Support (SLES)

CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT NDIS SERVICES ENQUIRY

Help to Get and Keep a Job

On The Job

On The Job support is designed to enable NDIS participants to successfully obtain and/or retain employment.

Individual support from a mentor who guides and helps the journey to work!

Informational interviews with employers.

Work Experience and volunteering to get on the job experience.

Help with looking for a job, job applications and interview skills.

Delivery Location and Methodology

Face2Face, Group Environment at Sturt Street Youth Hub, 40 Sturt Street, Adelaide and/or other Locations

and/or Via Zoom/TEAMS Online

Support Category/Registration Group

Capacity Building – 0102 – Finding and keeping a job

Core – 0125

CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT NDIS SERVICES ENQUIRY

Explore Self-Employment

CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT NDIS SERVICES ENQUIRY

BizAbility – Think Ability, Then Design Your Business

BizAbility assists people living with disability explore entrepreneurship as a pathway to achieving self-employment using human centred design (HCD) methodology. You will identify an idea for self-employment matched to your abilities and circumstances, test assumptions and create an action plan to achieve self-employment using the 5 core modules of Design Thinking: Empathise, Define, Ideate, Prototype and Test.

Throughout the program, you will have access to a mentor for individual support and assistance. You will also become part of a community where you can share your experience with others and hear from entrepreneurs with lived disability and business experience.

We see successful participants leave the program with a stronger purpose, awareness of opportunities and increased motivation to achieve self-employment.

Outcomes include:

  • Increased understanding of self-employment and skills needed
  • Raised confidence to start their self-employment journey

Available to NDIS Participants:

  • 17 to 65 years old
  • Want to explore self-employment/business
  • 12 months of learning & mentoring
  • Approx. 12 weeks (3 hours per week) exploring & learning
  • Approx. 40 weeks (3 hours per week) business mentoring
  • Approx. Cost is $10,920

Please contact the BizAbility Team:

Nate Overbeeke on 08 8388 6600

Support Category/Registration Group

Capacity Building:

– Increased Social and Community Participation – Innovative Community Participation

– Development of daily living and life skills (in some circumstances)

Core:

– Access to community, social and rec activities (in some circumstances)

Download the BizAbility Flyer

Drive Me – P’s (NDIS)

CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT NDIS SERVICES ENQUIRY

To date we have directly empowered eight young people to achieve their provisional P1 driver’s licence through building their capacity to successfully sit the VORT test and have indirectly empowered another 3 to achieve the same. We are incredibly proud of each and every one for the example they have set in their courage and commitment to achieve an incredible milestone on their pathway to live a life of purpose.

Drive Me (P’s Program)

Drive Me is a Driving Experience Mentoring Program to help you get the required 75 hours for your P’s. The goal of this program is to overcome your challenges for getting your P’s, increase opportunities to learn about employment or traineeships, and acquire necessary skills and develop good driving behaviour.

    • To start the Drive Me Program a minimum of 4 lessons must be completed with a professional driving instructor.
    • We will provide you with a Trained Driving Mentor (Responsible Supervising Driver) and the use of our modified car
    • You will participate in a four-hour road safety program, before driving practice commences
    • To attain the required 75 hours, you will attend 1.5 hours twice per week for one2one mentored driving practice. The time and day is negotiated with you and our NDIS Mentor

Please Note:

  • The hours required to achieve the P’s depends on the participant progress and capabilities. (everyone is different)
  • The program includes an estimated 60 kilometres per session of activity based transport. Please note only actual distance driven will be invoiced.
  • Final driving test (VORT) must be successfully completed with a professional driving instructor; this cost is not included in Drive Me Program.

This program can be funded under Core Supports or Capacity Building Supports depending on your available NDIS funding.
NB: If using capacity building funding to access the program, the cost of the VORT will need to be self-funded.

Bunnings

Youth Options thanks Bunnings for their generous support for providing Youth Options’s headquarters with a Power Pass, trade level prices, discounts and building materials for our Rule The Tools, FHAT Designs and Youth Space Workshops.

Website

Motor Trade Association of SA/NT (MTA SA & NT)

MTA SA/NT provide automotive industry tailored Workplace Relations training and support. They are also the peak South Australian automotive apprentice employment and training body for the motor trade industry. The MTA employs apprentices in a number of automotive trades in South Australia and also deliver accredited and non-accredited upskilling training and non-accredited Industrial Relations training for the automotive industry in South Australia.

The MTA has supported Youth Options by donating an Apprentices Toolbox valued at over $1200 and also donated 6 Briggs and Stratton Small Engines for our participants to learn on. They also make their staff available to talk to our participants about automotive career pathways.

Thank you to the MTA and especially Jason Polgreen – General Manager Apprentice Employment Services for their support.

To enquire about MTA apprenticeships and training call 8241 0522 or email mta@mtasant.com.au

Website

Adelaide Christian Centre

A city-based pentecostal church which offers a wide range of facilities and rooms to hire out.

Youth Options has entered a MOU (Memo Of Understanding) which provides us with access to their training rooms, meaning that we are now better equipped at supporting skilled migrants with career development workshops.

Email:
office@adelaidechristiancentre.com.au

Number:
08 8212 2322

Website

Matchworks

Sharing the Youth Options’ headquarters, Matchworks is a community based and not-for-profit business. It’s all about creating long lasting connections. That’s why it’s one of Australia’s biggest services. They know exactly what job seekers need to take to the next level and what employers want in their people, but most importantly they bring the two together.

For enquiries, contact:
Shannon Easter

Email:
shannon.easter@matchworks.com.au

Number:
0477 010 412

Website

Chris Seglins (Admin & Marketing Officer)

Commencing at Employment Options in early 2019 as a volunteer, Chris demonstrated a high level of skills and variety of Graphic Design abilities, which has assisted Employment Options greatly. Chris’s many talents have included re-designing multiple Flyers for EO’s Courses and promotional material.

Since being employed at Employment Options, Chris shares his time between being a cheerful and helpful face at our reception area whilst also continuing to grow his editing abilities. Chris has been involved in editing 360 VR videos for the ‘Drive Me’ program and being tasked with editing Employment Options’ website categories.

Chris’

Naomi Longo (Assistant Administration Officer)

In early 2019, Naomi undertook a volunteer role with Youth Options, assisting in reception and administrative duties. Naomi’s eagerness to grow and undertake new tasks led to an offer of a traineeship in Human Resources at Youth Options where she became an integral member of the support team.

Naomi currently provides administration and HR support to Youth Options.

Fiona Harley (Human Resources Administration)

Fiona has been at Employment Options for nearly 8 years and divides her time between roles which include tasks in Human Resources, Workplace Health and Safety and forms part of the integral admin team that keeps things ticking away seamlessly in the background. Her strength of character is having a friendly and engaging nature when interacting with people.

Trevor Hayley (NDIS Mentor)

Trevor ‘met’ Youth Options back in February 2020, and after an initial conversation, both believed there was a future, particularly in the NDIS mentoring space. He was particularly taken with the innovative ‘Pathways’ program and is looking forward to walking and guiding clients through the process, as together we find what the future can possibly look like. He also is involved with ‘Drive Me’, helping clients get their driving hours up.

Trevor has a keen interest in people. After leaving his ‘previous life’ as an accountant giving tax advice, he has floated around a number of people from all sorts of walks of life.. Whether this was a ‘particularly rough’ community meal just sharing in stories of those living on the streets, to being team leader of an State Award winning group for people living on their own, which has grown from two to twenty in three years, or being a support to NDIS clients from 21 to 63 and being trusted by families to take their sons on adventures. He was also involved in a primary school community as a Pastoral Care Worker (PCW), caring for the staff, students and parents. All of this diversity has been underpinned by a further Certificate lV in Chaplaincy and Pastoral Care.

He also has a Bachelor of Commerce and has been able to apply his accounting skills, as finance officer for a not for profit, and assisting clients to get new household appliances through the No Interest Loan Scheme (NILS).

He also, as he shares, has the privilege from time to time to take on the role of Celebrant when families have suffered a loss. He believes lives need to be celebrated, while at the same time bringing presence, empathy and compassion to families. This leads to a warm presentation style, with a touch of informality and celebration. He is also a keen blogger on grief and related issues, with over seventy blogs on his website (https://trevorhayley.com.au/blog/)

Using his YouTube channel ‘Life Reflections through Music’, Trevor also enjoys the challenge of reflecting to camera without notes, often just starting with a word. If the Channel even touches one person, it has done its job.

Trevor is looking forward to bring all of this experience into the next chapter of the innovative environment of Youth Options, and although due to the ‘——–‘ times, was able to ‘officially start’ in July 2020. He has been taken by the care and attentiveness of staff, their incredible care for their clients, the creativity of the space on Sturt Street, and the many wins Youth Options have had over their years of operation. He feels he will be able to ‘fly’ and to innovate while working with staff to achieve the objectives and mission of the organisation.

Lauren Upham (Youth Space Assistant Administration Officer)

Since joining Youth Options in August 2019 as a volunteer administration officer, Lauren has proved her ability to complete administration tasks with a smile. Now working upstairs in the Youth Space, Lauren provides administration support to the Youth Services Manager and Youth Co-ordinator.

Lenet Mbatia (Youth Space Case Manager)

Lenet is a FLO Case Manager in our Youth Space program. Lenet has completed a Master of Social Work and Master of Health and International Development from University of South Australia and Flinders University respectively. In addition to this, she has over 3 years working experience in the medical field in her beloved home country, Kenya. Lenet’s true passion has always been working with young people and assisting them in realising their true potential. Lenet believes in the importance of having alternate pathways in education or learning for all young people especially those who are facing multiple or complex barriers in their lives. She employs a holistic systems approach to helping young people to achieve success.

Nate Overbeeke (NDIS Manager)

Nate leads the effective achievement and growth of sustainable Youth Options NDIS Services and is responsible for both overseeing quality delivery of Youth Options’ NDIS Services as well as maintaining strategic relationships with external stakeholders. He uses his understanding of shared value models of partnership and ability to drive high value brand aligned opportunities to ensure the ongoing success of our NDIS services.

Amy Sterkenberg (Practice Leader – Youth Space)

Amy is the Practice Leader for our Youth Space Flexible Learning Options Program at Youth Options. 

Amy is passionate about supporting young into a positive pathway towards employment and success. Amy graduated from Flinders University in 2017 with a Bachelor of Social Work and Social Planning Degree.

Amy has a strong background in hospitality which she brings to Youth Options to help young people develop essential skills towards employment.

Amy assisting one of her Coffee Craft participants make coffee.

 
Amy’s
 

 

Jenni King (Manager – Youth Space)

Jenni is the manager of  Youth Space and manages the day-to-day running of the division as well as liaising with schools, supporting case managers and facilitating learning.

Jenni has worked in the community service industry for over 20 years, for the majority of this time, supporting young people. She has Certificate 4’s in Mental Health, Youth Work, Training and Assessment andis currently studying Certificate 4 in Career Development and a Diploma of Leadership and Management. Jenni believes that all young people deserve respect and equal opportunities. She works to form trusting relationships with young people and their careers as well as working with case managers to provide individual learning plans for the FLO students to assist them in pursuing their chosen pathways and completing SACE.

Rick Henke (Operations Manager)

Rick is our ‘Action Man’ because he gets things done! No task is too small or too big for Rick and he has a knack for finding a way to get it done. Rick manages our finance systems, supervises our Internship Students and oversees our Volunteers. Rick has developed our Drive Me program with a passion for helping young people get their P’s.

Rick is an experienced operations manager who joined Youth Options in June 2019 after 12 years’ service with the City of Salisbury. His qualifications include a Bachelor of Applied Science, Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning, Diploma in Youth Work and Certificate of Business.

Rick is an active member and past President of the Rotary Club of Salisbury and a Justice of the Peace in SA. In addition, Rick has led us into the digital space with a major IT transformation.