Paul*, 17 came into Frontyard Youth Services for housing assistance. The intake assessment identified Paul’s homelessness was due to on-going violence and threats by his father. He was assisted by Youthlaw to apply for an interim intervention order against his father. The night before court Paul and his girlfriend slept rough and he was daunted by having to go to court. The Magistrate required Paul to swear to the truthfulness of his evidence. An interim order was made. The youth worker assisted Paul with referrals for assistance including to deal with substance abuse
issues. Paul had disclosed his cannabis use was largely related to his anxiety. He was also linked with FRMP (a youth specific family mediation and reconciliation program). They obtained 10 specialist family violence counselling sessions for him. Paul had left school because of the situation. He now has stable housing and has plans to return to Year 12 in 2019. The intervention order application remains ongoing.
*Paul is a pseudonym to protect the client’s identity.