Resources
The following resources complement the Guidance by summarising key actions and providing materials to support schools and settings in communicating with young people in youth justice and their families and carers.
Checklists – Summarising key actions
- Actions for schools and settings – supporting young people in community youth justice
- Actions for schools and settings – supporting young people in custody
Additional locked material for regions and area teams
Actions for regions and area teams – State-wide tracking monitoring and support for young people in youth justice (staff login required)
Supporting young people participating in the Enhanced Bail Supervision and Support trial
Learning mentor training
As outlined in the Guidance tab, learning mentors support students who are engaged with Youth Justice. The role makes a significant difference to the school experience of our most vulnerable students and can positively impact their sense of belonging and connection to education.
To become a learning mentor, it is recommended that school staff complete induction training. To do this, please contact the relevant regional representative below for the date for the next available induction session:
- South western Victoria region – contact Elisha Buffone, Youth Justice Advisor at Elisha.Buffone@education.vic.gov.au
- South eastern Victoria region – contact Anthony Bailey, Youth Justice Advisor at Antony.Bailey@education.vic.gov.au
- North eastern Victoria region – contact Natalie Millard, Justice Education and Engagement Manager at Natalie.Millard2@education.vic.gov.au
- North western Victoria region – contact Christopher Dickinson, Justice Education and Engagement Manager at Christopher.Dickinson@education.vic.gov.au
The learning mentor follow-on series – optional training for learning mentors
This 4-part follow-on series is an optional, self-paced training package for learning mentors who have completed induction training and want to expand their knowledge and capability on how best to support young people who are in youth justice.
It is recommended that each PowerPoint file is downloaded and viewed in presentation mode. This will allow for the voiceover and supporting videos to guide the user through each module.
- Introduction – the journey – This module introduces the Learning Mentor follow-on series and the 4 stages of the youth mentoring journey – Building trust and connection, setting goals and making plans, action and advocacy, and reflecting and refining.
- Building trust and connection – In this first module, we explore practical strategies to build trust and connection – the foundational step for all mentoring relationships. We also look at how to nurture self-efficacy and maintain boundaries that set the foundations for a healthy relationship for both learning mentors and mentees.
- Setting goals and making a plan – Setting goals and planning are the second phase in the mentoring journey. Research shows that when mentors support a young person to set and strive for personal goals, they can have a significant impact on improving outcomes and empowering young people. In this module, we look at how to put an optional plan in place and celebrate success.
- Action and advocacy – The third module explores the learning mentor’s role in advocacy and taking action to support a young person. It also looks at practical resources that can support learning mentors in their role and look at child safety, role definition and empowering young people with information.
- Reflecting and refining – The final stage of the mentoring journey is reflecting on the relationship and refining the plan to ensure that it remains relevant and effective. As with any relationship or intervention, providing space for mentors and mentees to reflect on the relationship, make adjustments and plan for a gentle and supported exit is crucial.
Online conversation series
A series of online conversations have been developed to support schools and teachers to build their understanding of the youth justice system and experiences of young people.
Featuring representatives from across Youth Justice, the Children’s Court Youth Diversion Service, Victoria Police, the Department of Education and Training’s Parkville College, the Grange P-12, the Education Justice Initiative and Youth Justice Pathway Coordinators, the Online Conversation Series outlines successful strategies and programs to support youth justice involved young people.
The videos can be accessed at:
Reviewed 21 August 2025