The Recovery Youth Support Service (RYSS) is a two-year pilot of a youth-focused Recovery Support Service
commissioned by the NSW Reconstruction Authority (NSWRA).
The NSW Advocate for Children and Young People (ACYP) tendered to deliver the RYSS in the Northern Rivers as part of disaster recovery after the 2022 flood events. ACYP and NSWRA negotiated design of a flexible service model that took account of the practical needs and priorities of children and young people. The RYSS service activities are advocacy; consultation; capacity building; community engagement; and supported care pathway (one-on-one disaster recovery support).
The RYSS has a specific focus on children and young people in the temporary ‘pod housing’ communities (pod villages) established throughout the Northern Rivers to address the high rate of homelessness in the region after the floods. However, its service is not limited to these communities and has broad eligibility criteria for any child or young person aged 8 to 24 years and impacted by the 2022 flood events.
This is a summative evaluation of the Recovery Youth Support Service that draws on 20 interviews with staff, service participants and service partners about their experiences of the program and what they would recommend for any future expansion or replication of the pilot model in future.
P: 02 9248 0970
NSW Advocate for Children and Young People
Ground Floor, 219-241 Cleveland Street, Strawberry Hills NSW 2012
NSW Advocate for Children and Young People
Locked Bag 5000, PARRAMATTA NSW 2124
The Advocate for Children and Young People is under the DCJ ABN 36 433 875 185.
P: 02 9248 0943 or 0439 346 249
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We acknowledge Aboriginal people as the First Nations Peoples of NSW and pay our respects to Elders past, present, and future.
Informed by lessons of the past, ACYP is improving how we work with Aboriginal people and communities. We listen and learn from the knowledge, strength and resilience of Stolen Generations Survivors, Aboriginal Elders and Aboriginal communities.
