Care for Young People




The Link Centre provides a safe and caring learning environment.

Attendees of the Link Centre

There are hundreds of young people in Melbourne’s western suburbs who are not enrolled or do not attend school, even though they are legally required to do so.

There are many reasons for their non-attendance.

Most are trying to deal with multiple problems. Some are under child protection orders and have experienced physical, emotional or sexual abuse. Many have experienced family breakdown with resulting foster care or even homelessness. Many have a history of drug and alcohol misuse or dependence.

Mainstream education is not meeting the needs of these disengaged young people at this time in their lives.


Attendee Engagement

The dedicated team of staff at the Link Centre aim to successfully address the individual needs of young people to help them re-engage in life.

Our program encompasses an engaging social and educative experience which provides learners with realistic challenges and valuable academic and personal outcomes.

We direct educational and welfare outcomes by working individually and in groups to assist our young people with their progress.

Social and Emotional Wellbeing

All young people in the program are valued, the curriculum is flexible and the core value is ‘respect’.

Our support extends beyond our participants to their families.

The Link Centre program provides a weekly life skills component which deals with anger management, getting along with others, working in groups, healthy lifestyles and healthy cooking and coping skills.

Through partnerships with outside agencies we are able to connect our attendees in need to drug counseling. We provide a drug education program for parents and provide a weekly drug education program for our participants. 

Female participants also participate in a girls program run through Hobsons Bay Youth Services, where they are provided with support with young women’s health and sexuality issues.

Male participants attend a young men’s program through Wyndham Youth Services.