YOUTH MENTORING SERVICES

At Harbour & Anchor, our Youth Mentoring Program provides young people with positive role models, guidance, and consistent support to help them navigate life’s challenges and reach their potential. This service is designed for young people up to the age 18, who may be experiencing barriers such as disengagement from school, low confidence, limited family or community support, or risk-taking behaviours. Our mentors build strong, trusting relationships with each young person, offering encouragement, stability, and practical strategies for personal growth.

The Youth Mentoring Program includes:

• One-on-one youth mentoring, where young people engage in rapport-building activities, both individually and in the community
   
• Participation in community events and activities, helping young people strengthen social connections, develop a sense of belonging, and build positive networks
   
• Regular mentoring sessions that provide structure, routine, and accountability
   
• Practical skill-building in areas such as education, employment readiness, life skills, and community engagement
   
• Positive role modelling, helping young people develop resilience, self-esteem, and healthy decision-making
   
• Strong cultural awareness, with a focus on inclusion, respect, and meaningful connection for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people
   
• Collaboration with families, schools, and external services, ensuring holistic support that aligns with the young person’s wider needs
   

Our mentors work with compassion and consistency, offering a safe and supportive space where young people feel heard and valued. By fostering resilience, motivation, and self-belief, the Youth Mentoring Program empowers young people to strengthen their sense of identity, achieve their goals, and build a positive vision for their future.

 At Harbour & Anchor, we provide safe, short-term crisis accommodation for young people experiencing homelessness, family breakdown, or instability in their living situations. Our accommodation services offer more than just a place to stay — they provide a secure, supportive environment where young people can feel safe, respected, and begin to rebuild.

Our crisis accommodation is designed to meet the immediate needs of young people aged 12 to 18 who may be:

• Escaping unsafe or unstable home environments
   
• Experiencing sudden homelessness or abandonment
   
• At risk of harm due to neglect, violence, or family conflict
   
• Facing transitional periods without stable housing
   

Every young person accessing our service is supported by a dedicated youth support team, offering 24/7 care and tailored case management. We work holistically to address the underlying factors contributing to the crisis, and to help young people stabilise and plan for the future.

Our crisis accommodation service includes:

• A safe and welcoming living space with age-appropriate supervision and support
   
• Immediate access to food, clothing, personal care, and essential needs
   
• Individual case planning, focused on wellbeing, safety, and future goals
   
• Emotional support and guidance from experienced youth workers
   
• Coordination with external services, including Child Safety, mental health, education, and housing providers
   
• Cultural safety and inclusiveness, with culturally aware practices and strong engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people and families
   

We recognise that entering crisis accommodation can be a vulnerable time for any young person. Our team works with compassion, trauma-informed care, and a strengths-based approach to help them regain stability, build resilience, and take confident steps toward a more secure and independent future.

If you would like to learn more about how to refer a young person to this service or speak to our team, please visit our "Connect With Us" page.

At Harbour & Anchor, we provide flexible, meaningful respite care designed to support a diverse range of individuals and families — including NDIS participants of all ages, adults with disability, and young people who may be vulnerable, at risk, or engaged with Child Safety.

Our respite services create a safe, supportive space where individuals can take a break, experience new opportunities, and build confidence — while families and carers have time to rest and recharge. Whether short-term, emergency, or planned, each respite arrangement is carefully tailored to the needs, goals, and circumstances of the individual.

• 1:1, 24-hour care delivered by trained support staff and youth workers, ensuring consistent supervision, safety, and personalised support
   
• In-home respite within familiar environments, promoting comfort, routine, and stability
   
• Community access and social participation activities, such as attending events, recreation, skill-building programs, and cultural engagement
   
• Short-term and overnight stays in safe, nurturing, and age-appropriate settings with tailored supports for children, young people, and adults
   
• Group-based respite options (where appropriate), fostering socialisation, peer connection, and inclusion
   
• Flexible models of care, designed to meet the varying needs of young people, adults with disability, and their families/carers

At Harbour & Anchor, we are committed to supporting NDIS participants in achieving greater independence, inclusion, and participation in their everyday lives. Our Disability Community Access Support services are designed to empower individuals of all ages living with a disability to explore their communities, develop new skills, and engage in meaningful, purpose-driven activities. We work alongside participants, their families, and their support networks to deliver personalised, goal-focused supports that align with each individual’s NDIS plan and aspirations.

Our services include:

• 1:1 community access support, tailored to individual preferences and needs
   
• Assistance with attending appointments, running errands, or accessing local facilities and services
   
• Support to engage in recreational, social, cultural, and educational activities
   
• Skill development opportunities, such as using public transport, budgeting, cooking, or communication
   
• Building connections with peers and local groups, promoting inclusion and belonging
   
• Flexible scheduling, including evenings and weekends, to suit each participant’s routine
   

Our support workers are highly trained in person-centred, trauma-informed, and culturally safe practice, and we place a strong emphasis on respecting individual choice and control. We understand that every person’s journey is unique, and we take the time to listen, understand, and adapt our services to reflect each participant’s identity, values, and goals.

We also work collaboratively with:

• Plan managers and support coordinators
   
• Allied health professionals and therapeutic services
   
• Families and carers, ensuring consistent communication and integrated support
   

Our ultimate aim is to help participants live more empowered, connected, and fulfilling lives — supporting them not just in their daily activities, but in building the confidence and capacity to thrive.

Navigating life’s many systems — from health and education to housing and employment — can be overwhelming, particularly for young people and families experiencing disadvantage, uncertainty, or change. At Harbour & Anchor, we provide comprehensive Pathway Bridging and Service Connection support to help individuals overcome barriers and access the services they need to build stable, fulfilling lives.

Our team works one-on-one with clients to understand their unique circumstances, identify their goals, and map out clear, achievable pathways forward. We act as a reliable advocate and support partner, ensuring people do not feel lost or alone when engaging with complex or unfamiliar systems.

Our service includes assistance with:

• Connecting with therapeutic supports, including counselling, mental health services, and allied health professionals
   
• Enrolling in education or training programs, including flexible learning environments and vocational pathways
   
• Accessing safe, stable housing, through crisis accommodation, transitional housing, or long-term tenancy supports
   
• Linking with employment services, job-readiness programs, and workplace mentoring
   
• Coordinating with Child Safety and NDIS-related services, ensuring consistency and continuity of care across systems
   
• Supporting applications and referrals, helping individuals understand, complete, and follow up on service processes
   
• Providing ongoing check-ins and follow-through, to support long-term engagement, stability, and growth

 Harbour & Anchor is committed to walking beside individuals and families as they pursue positive change. We recognise that sustainable outcomes require not just access, but also understanding, encouragement, and trusted relationships. That’s why our team remains actively involved — guiding, supporting, and celebrating each step along the way.

At Harbour & Anchor, we understand that strong, healthy families are the foundation of a young person’s wellbeing. Our Family Support Services are designed to empower families to navigate life’s challenges with confidence, compassion, and resilience.

We work closely with parents, carers, kinship networks, and extended family members to create more stable, nurturing home environments and build stronger family connections. Whether families are facing challenges related to parenting, intergenerational conflict, or the pressures of daily life, our team provides non-judgmental and culturally safe support.

Our services include:

• Individualised parenting support, focusing on effective strategies, communication, and positive behaviour guidance
   
• Practical assistance with daily routines, household management, and building healthy family dynamics
   
• Support for kinship and foster carers, including those caring for children under Child Safety or in informal arrangements
   
• Advocacy and connection with therapeutic services, community agencies, and support networks
   
• Crisis intervention and early response, when families are at risk of breakdown or facing urgent concerns
   
• Culturally responsive support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families, respecting the central role of culture, community, and kinship
   

We recognise that each family’s needs are unique, and we tailor our services to meet those needs with compassion and flexibility. Whether we are working in the home, in the community, or alongside other agencies, our goal is to walk beside families as trusted partners — helping them overcome challenges, celebrate strengths, and build sustainable futures.