Homelessness Support Service for Girls and Young Women with Complex Needs

Homelessness Support Service for Girls and Young Women with Complex Needs (operating as Detour House – The Girls Refuge) supports children and young people ages 12 – 15 years who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless.

This service includes a youth refuge and provides supported accommodation and case management to girls and young women with complex needs aged 13 to 17 years, with priority given to girls aged 13 to 15 years who are homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness.

Working with specialist services such as mental health, trauma counselling and drug and alcohol, the service provides intensive and integrated support through a multi-disciplinary model. Flexible brokerage is also provided to ensure client needs are met.

It provides prevention and early intervention support including outreach, short and medium-term crisis accommodation. It also provides support to young people to re-engage with education, employment and training options and to develop independent living skills and facilitate access to family reconciliation services.

Priority is given, but not limited to, those who have experienced family breakdown, domestic and family violence, trauma, disengagement from education, misuse of drugs and alcohol, mental health issues, and/or interaction with the justice system.

The service has a strong focus on Aboriginal young people and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

After-hours access is available.

This service is funded through the Homeless Youth Assistance Program (HYAP).