Support Coordinators are often the first people trying to turn a young person’s plan into support that actually fits their life.
That can be harder than it sounds. A family may know they need help, but not know which service makes sense. A young person might be nervous about meeting someone new. The plan might mention social and community participation, respite, skill building or mentoring, but the day-to-day need is usually more human than the wording in the plan.
At Kickstart Youth Services, we support children, young people and young adults aged 8–30 across Melbourne and Victoria through Youth Mentoring, Community Access, group activities, camps and Short Term Respite. If you are looking at a referral now, you can use our referral pathway or call 1800 229 736.
This guide explains what helps us assess a referral properly, what details matter during intake, and how Support Coordinators can make the first step clearer for everyone involved.
Start with the young person, not the service label
A referral works best when it tells us who the young person is, not just which support category someone has chosen.
Two referrals might both say “community access”, but they can mean very different things. One young person might want help getting back into sport. Another might be isolated at home and need a slow, low-pressure way to build confidence outside the house. Someone else may be ready for group activities, but only if the environment is planned carefully and the staff match is right.
The same applies to mentoring and respite. The words matter, but the context matters more.
Helpful context includes:
- age and general location
- current NDIS goals and relevant funding information
- interests, strengths and motivators
- communication style
- transport needs
- what support has worked before
- what has not worked before
- family, carer or care-team contacts
- any safety, health, medication or personal care considerations
- urgency or preferred start timeframe
Not every referral needs a long history. It just needs enough information for the next conversation to be useful.
Matching is part of the work
Youth support depends heavily on fit.
Some young people engage quickly. Others need time before they trust a new adult. Some connect through sport, fishing, gaming, art, cooking, walking, cars, music or quiet conversation in the car. Some need someone energetic. Some need someone calm and steady.
When Kickstart reviews a referral, we are not only asking, “Do we have availability?” We are also asking:
- Who might this young person actually connect with?
- What setting would make the first session feel less intimidating?
- Is this best started one-to-one, in the community, through a group activity, or through a planned respite pathway?
- Are there risks or support needs that change how we should match staff?
A good match does not guarantee engagement, but a poor match can make support harder before it even starts.
Clarify the main reason for referral
Before referring, it helps to name the main reason support is being requested now.
For example:
- A young person has lost routine and needs support to re-engage outside the home.
- A family needs planned Short Term Respite so everyone can reset safely.
- A young adult wants to build independence and confidence in the community.
- A participant may benefit from a positive role model and consistent mentoring.
- A care team wants a supported activity pathway before trying a group program or camp.
This does not need to be perfect. It just gives intake a starting point.
If the referral only says “needs mentoring” or “needs community access”, we will usually need to come back for more detail before we can make a good decision.
Choosing the right starting point
Support Coordinators often ask which part of Kickstart is the best fit. The answer depends on the young person and what they are ready for.
Youth Mentoring is usually a good starting point when a young person would benefit from a consistent positive role model, practical life skills, goal-focused support and trust built over time.
Community Access may fit when the person needs support to participate outside the home, try activities, build confidence in public spaces or work toward everyday independence.
Group activities and camps can be useful when someone is ready for supported peer connection, shared interests and a sense of belonging in a planned environment.
Short Term Respite, or STR, may fit when the young person needs a supported change of environment and carers need time to rest. Good respite is planned around routines, interests, support needs and communication, not treated as a generic bed for the night.
Some referrals start in one area and move into another later. A young person might begin with one-to-one mentoring, then try a group activity once trust has grown. That is normal.
Be clear about risk and support needs
Risk information is not there to label a young person. It helps the provider plan safely.
Useful information might include leaving supervised areas, emotional escalation, transport concerns, medication needs, personal care needs, communication difficulties, trauma history, behaviour support involvement, or situations that have made previous supports break down.
It is better to share this early. When providers understand the support picture, they can think about staffing, setting, session length, communication and whether the referral is suitable.
Leaving important details out can slow the intake process or create a poor first experience for the young person and family.
Prepare the family and young person where possible
A referral is smoother when the young person and family know what is being explored.
Some young people are excited to try something new. Others may hear “support worker” and immediately switch off. A gentle explanation can help: who Kickstart is, what the first conversation might involve, and that the aim is to find support that fits their interests and goals.
Families also need clarity. They should know who will contact them, what information may be requested, and that matching can take time when support needs are specific.
What happens after a referral
After a referral comes through, Kickstart will usually look at suitability, support goals, practical needs, risk information, location, funding and potential staff match.
If more information is needed, we may contact the referrer, family or care team. If the referral looks suitable, the next step may involve an intake conversation, matching discussion or planning around the best first support option.
Support Coordinators can help by keeping communication clear between the participant, family, plan nominee, carers and any other professionals involved.
A stronger referral saves time later
A strong referral does not need to be polished. It needs to be honest and useful.
The best referrals help us understand the young person’s goals, interests, support needs and current situation. They also help us think about the first step in a way that is realistic, safe and more likely to feel right for the person being supported.
If you are a Support Coordinator, recovery coach, parent, carer or care-team member considering Kickstart, you can submit a referral or call 1800 229 736.
Kickstart supports children, young people and young adults aged 8–30 through Youth Mentoring, Community Access, group activities, camps and Short Term Respite across Melbourne and Victoria.
Frequently asked questions
Can Support Coordinators refer directly to Kickstart?
Yes. Support Coordinators can submit a referral through Kickstart’s referral pathway. Clear goals, contact details, interests and support needs help the intake process move more smoothly.
What age range does Kickstart support?
Kickstart supports children, young people and young adults aged 8–30.
What services can a Support Coordinator refer for?
Support Coordinators can refer for Youth Mentoring, Community Access, group activities, camps and Short Term Respite where appropriate.
What information should be included in a referral?
Helpful information includes NDIS goals, current supports, family or care-team contacts, interests, safety considerations, communication needs, transport needs and what the young person or care team hopes support will help with.
What if we are not sure which support type fits?
That is fine. A referral can outline the young person’s needs and goals, and Kickstart can explore whether mentoring, community access, group activities, camps or Short Term Respite may be suitable.