Ladder Surviving Adolescence

Project summary:

The Ladder Surviving Adolescence (Morwell) program builds independence and self-agency in young people (age 16-25) and supports young people to engage in education, employment and training. The program draws on an evidence-based social inclusion model and is designed to help young people at risk of long- term unemployment build confidence, develop community connections and test a range of education, employment and training options.

Recently Ladder partnered with Latrobe Health Assembly to scope the feasibility of a Ladder parent support program. Through interviews with parents of previous and current participants of the program, Ladder identified that over 80% of parents felt that if they had been offered a program to get support and gain understanding around their young person’s behaviour, and how to support them throughout the Step-Up program, that this would have strengthened their relationship with their young person. As a result of this study, the Surviving Adolescence program was developed for parents or guardian with young people in the Step-Up program, delivered by Ladder and supported by Latrobe Health Assembly.

To date, multiple groups of parents have engaged in Surviving Adolescence and the program has received overwhelmingly positive feedback. 100% of the parents that engaged in the program have stated that their relationship with their child has improved and that they feel more confident in connecting with their child.