The Ladder Step Up programs focus on supporting young people across key domain areas: education, employment and training, self-efficacy, independent living skills, community connections and health and wellbeing.

Working with young people (15-20 years) who have had an out-of-home care experience, Ladder’s Step Up Sydney Program is delivered over an 8-week period, using an evidence-based program model, with follow up support offered to program participants over the following 26 weeks.

Ladder’s Step Up Latrobe Valley program aims to build independence and self-agency in young people (16-25 years), while supporting them to engage in education, training and employment. Using an evidence-based social inclusion model, Step Up Latrobe Valley delivers an intensive six-week development program, tailored employment opportunities and one-to-one mentoring support from Ladder staff for up to 12 months post program delivery.

We recently finalised our 2020 impact reports for both Step Up Sydney and Step Up Latrobe Valley programs, which highlight key outcomes of each program and enable us to share some fantastic stories about our program participants achieving their goals.

Key outcomes outlined in these reports are listed below:

Step Up Sydney

What young people reported - post 8 week program:

• 100% of young people reported an improvement in social functioning (average increase of 13%)
• 100% of young people reported an improvement in daily living skills (average increase of 19%)
• 100% of young people reported an improvement in self-efficacy (average increase of 17%)
• 100% of young people reported having identified and tested vocational pathways (average increase of 23%)

The impact - 26 weeks post-program:

• 95.5% of young people reported an increased sense of belonging
• 100% of young people reported improved self-efficacy
• 91% of young people reported improved wellbeing / quality of life
• 87.5% of young people reported improved job readiness

The results:

• 92% of young people made connections with new friends
• 96% of participants were linked to other services​

"The Ladder crew have been amazing for the young person engaged in the program. We have seen a dramatic change in behaviour and focus in the young person as well as their house peers"

- Step Up Sydney program partner

“Thank you for all the help, I’m loving Step Up. I have been accepted into the Indigenous Recruitment Program with the Australian Defence Force all thanks to you guys”

- Step Up Sydney program participant

Step Up Latrobe Valley

What young people reported post-program:

• 95% of program participants would recommend the Ladder Step Up Latrobe Valley program to other young people in their situation
• 92% of program participants feel more motivated to achieve their education, employment and training goals 

The impact:

• 88% of program participants agree that participating in the Ladder Step Up Latrobe Valley program had helped them to achieve or get closer to achieving their goals
• 83% of program participants successfully identified and progressed their education, employment and training goals
• 84% of program participants feel more connected to their community
• 83% of program participants feel more independent now
• 85% of program participants have improved their physical health

The results:

• 91 young people graduated the Ladder Step Up Latrobe Valley Program
• 84% of young people are engaged in education, employment and training post the Ladder program
• 105 employment experiences / tasters have been undertaken by young people
• 40 young people re-engaged in secondary or vocational education
• 121 jobs have been applied for by participants
• 52 young people have been employed post program completion 

“Without Ladder I don’t know where I’d be. To Fiona and the team thank you for saving me. I now own my life and I am the one who chooses my own path”

- Step Up Latrobe Valley program participant

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