Preventing young people from becoming homeless is one of the ways the new SWITCH Case Management programs have worked toward improving social justice in the Northern Rivers region.

The SWITCH programs were introduced last year by NRSDC and YP Space Mid-North Coast in response to the government's Homelessness Action Plan. Together, they created and delivered the programs which encompass the NRSDC Juvenile Justice Program  and the Young People Leaving Care Program. SWITCH referral manager, Damian Bozanic said that an important part of the program delivery was to advocate for adequate, safe and affordable housing.

"The program has already assisted seven young people to be housed in either private rental, supported youth accommodation or community housing," Damian said.

"Switch has assisted this process by advocating for bond assistance from NSW Housing or paying with Brokerage. Several young people who have been accommodated have also been assisted with Furniture, either by helping to complete TILA (Transition to Independent Living Allowance) forms or by direct brokerage. SWITCH has also provided mediation to young people and their parents or carers to maintain accommodation at home."

Through SWITCH, program staff have been able to advocate on behalf of young people for assistance with Community Mental Health and access to medication as well as assist young people who are isolated with transport and communication.

"We have been able to help them with transport to find jobs and to appointments with doctors, Centrelink and to do shopping," Damian said. "Switch has also purchased mobile phones for young people to be contactable, so they can attend appointments and be informed of future events. SWITCH also helps young people to re-engage in education or vocational training or employment, by attending interviews with job agencies or by purchasing books and uniforms."

The program supports young people in grievance procedures with other agencies where the young person feels they were treated harshly or disrespectfully.

"SWITCH has been involved in peak , funding body discussions to highlight young people’s needs and the gaps in service provision and we are striving to achieve a written outcome, " Damian said. "We have also been actively engaging other youth services, government departments and foster care agencies in an effort to work more collaboratively in the sector.

"We also facilitating young people's access to recreational and leisure pursuits and support safe reconnection with family and community. We also help then with social/living skills such as maintaining a tenancy, budget, drivers license, cooking, washing clothes and having conversations about life."