Historically, a reference to 'youth' includes young people aged between 12 and 18 years old. To reflect the increasing trend of younger children identified as at risk, reference to 'youth' will extend to children as young as 10 years old.

 'At risk' can mean:

• Behavioural indicators - truancy, emotionally unstable, disruptive behaviour, displaying suicidal intent or self-harm, antisocial behaviour, violent or aggressive in the community, social isolation, juvenile offending, vandalism, drug and/or alcohol abuse, rejecting parental support, low self-esteem, lack of social and communication skills
• Situational indicators - unemployed, homeless, socially disadvantaged, family and domestic violence, alcohol and other drug use in the home, family breakdown, transient families, lower socio-economic families, abused children, and
• Educational indicators – underachieving academically, not coping in classroom situations, poor literacy and numeracy skills, suspended from school or excluded.

The Department of Communities, Child Protection and Family Support division has a lead role in creating safety for young people at risk. We share this responsibility with other government agencies, community services sector organisations and the broader community.

Refer to the At Risk Youth Strategy 2022 – 2027 for further information.

You may find these links useful:

• ​Chapter 1.3 Homelessness
• Homeless young people
• ​Chapter 1.4 Mental Health and Alcohol & Other Drugs
• Mental health issues 
• Suicide and self-harm
• ​Chapter 3.3 Legal and Court Processes
• ​Young offenders - including children in the CEO's care​