About Youth Services

Our aim is to promote the health and wellbeing of young people by supporting their social, physical and emotional development, and empowering them to participate in their community.

We focus on prevention and early-intervention in our work with young people. This work is informed by best practices in youth work, the Victorian child safe standards, and evidence-based approaches shown to support the healthy development of young people. 

Our work is delivered through the following services:

• Generalist youth development: programs and activities that address areas of wellbeing including leadership, skill-building, participation, recreation, and youth-focused social events.
• Generalist youth support: free mental health counselling and case management offered to all young people, supporting a range of issues.
• Support for adults and organisations: we assist families, carers, schools, and other services across Hobsons Bay to build their skills and capacity to support young people. 

We aim to provide programs and services that respond to the changing needs of young people - as identified by young people in our community. In 2022 we consulted with local young people through the What YOUth Want(PDF, 986KB) consultation. The views of young people have also been included in the latest 4-year Council plan (2025-2029).

The Youth Services team are a group of experienced and committed professionals who work to support and empower young people, their families, schools, and organisations providing youth-focused services in the local community.

Our team has a diverse range of skills and experience. Team members include:

• qualified youth workers
• education experts
• mental health professionals (counsellors, social workers, and psychologists), and
• business support officers.

Hobsons Bay City Council is a child safe organisation and has zero tolerance for child abuse. The following principles and practices guide our work:

• A zero tolerance to child abuse, both within the community and within our organisation.
• Upholding the safety of all children, including culturally and linguistically diverse, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, and those with additional needs and disabilities.
• Preventing child abuse and identifying risks early by implementing prevention and risk management strategies.
• Embedding child safety into the everyday thinking and practice of all employees, volunteers and contractors, acknowledging that children’s safety is an organisation-wide responsibility.
• Protecting the physical, emotional, cultural and social wellbeing of all children. 
• Fulfilling our legal and moral obligations to contact authorities when we are concerned about a child’s safety or allegations of child abuse are raised.
• Providing opportunities for the voices and opinions of children and young people to be considered and to have influence in decision making to improve the lives of young community members.

We aim to provide welcome and inclusive spaces and opportunities for young people to participate, connect, build skills, and feel supported. As a child-safe organisation, all staff working with children and young people must follow the Council's Child Safe Policy, including the Child Safe Code of Conduct.

All Hobsons Bay Youth Services staff hold current Working with Children Checks.

Read more about the 11 Child Safe Standards here.

You can find Hobsons Bay Youth Services at Level 1, Newport Community Hub, 13-15 Mason St, Newport, 3015 (above Newport library) View Map 

For the latest job opportunities with Hobsons Bay Youth Services and Hobsons Bay City Council.

Your feedback can be provided via:

• Letting a Hobsons Bay Youth Services staff member about your ideas/ concerns
• Completing an anonymous feedback form
• Calling us on (03) 9932 4000 or emailing youth@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au

Please let us know if you need support to provide your feedback, such as an interpreter or advocate.

We commit to taking your feedback or complaint seriously and providing a response within five working days.