26 April 2024
The Department of Social Services has engaged Nous Group to conduct an independent review of the Reconnect Program (the Review). The Reconnect Program is the Australian Government’s long standing youth homelessness early intervention and prevention program, currently in its 25th year of operation. The Review is an important opportunity to assess the appropriateness, effectiveness and efficiency of the Reconnect Program.
Throughout the Review, Nous Group will be gathering views from:
- young people who have engaged with the program
- young people with lived experience in youth homelessness
- Reconnect Service Providers
- state and territory government policy and program staff
- housing and homelessness organisations
- community services organisations
- academics.
A survey aimed at Reconnect providers, state and territory government staff, the housing and homelessness and community sector, and academics is now open and will close at 5.00pm (AEST) on 7 May 2024.
If you are a young person who is currently engaged with Reconnect, or has engaged with Reconnect in the last 12 months, please contact your Reconnect Provider to find out how you can have your say on the Review. We encourage everyone who engages with the Reconnect Program to have their say.
Reconnect is a community-based early intervention and prevention program for young people aged 12 to 18 years (or 12 to 21 years in the case of newly arrived youth) who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, and their families. Reconnect is delivered by 70 organisations across 101 locations nationally and helps around 7,000 young people each year – helping to prevent youth homelessness by keeping young people connected with their families, education, training or employment opportunities, and their local communities.
Find out more
To find out how to have your say, or for more information about the Reconnect Program, visit www.dss.gov.au/reconnect