Middle Years and Transitions

The Youth Engagement and Pathways Unit has several programs being offered to the community with a special focus on the middle years cohort – for children, their families and schools. 

Current programs being delivered in 2026:  

• Parent Information Workshops 
• Term Programs

Keep updated with upcoming opportunities through our quarterly newsletters and joining our parent/carer mailing list by emailing youth@hume.vic.gov.au.

Transitioning from primary school to secondary school and into youth services can be both exciting and challenging for young people aged 10 to 14.

The JUMP is a free program designed to support this critical period by fostering a sense of belonging, strengthening communication skills, connection and building resilience through meaningful engagement.

When young people feel connected to their peers, supported by their community, and confident in expressing themselves, they are better equipped to navigate change and seek help when needed. The JUMP Program creates a safe, inclusive space where young people can grow, connect, and thrive as they take their next steps into adolescence and beyond

What is the JUMP?

Through interactive activities, group discussions, and creative workshops, young people will explore:

• Resilience-building strategies to manage stress, change, and uncertainty
• Help-seeking behaviours and how to access support in school and youth services
• Effective communication skills for expressing needs, setting boundaries, and building healthy relationships

This program is offered in flexible formats to suit different settings.

• 6-week series (in school) program 1.5 hours per week
• Grade 6 - Single session (in school) 2-hour one off session
• Year 7- Single Session (in school) 2-hour one off session
• Youth Centre Excursion 2-hour session- please note transport is not provided.

Expressions of Interest for schools for The JUMP program in 2026 have now closed, to join the waitlist- please follow this link and complete the form The JUMP.

The transition to secondary school is an exciting and, occasionally, overwhelming experience for young people and their families. 

Hume Youth Services has gathered resources that offer support, suggestions, and strategies to help families experience a successful transition to secondary school. 

Educators and Psychologists help you understand how to respond to your child’s anxiety, help them create new routines and stay healthy as they settle into year 7. 

The following videos were created in partnership with Victoria University’s Department of Social Psychology.

Creating & Maintaining Routines

Forming Healthy Habits

Anxiety

School Refusal

To ensure that the supports and services meet the needs of middle years children, the Youth Engagement and Pathways Unit undertook a Needs and Gap Analysis. 

This inquiry invited community members, service providers and schools to provide feedback about the emerging needs of middle years children, current programs and supports, and opportunities for future programs and collaboration. 

The findings are presented in the Middle Years and Transitions Need and Gap Analysis Report.(PDF, 10MB)

The report provides:

• an overview of the current research on the middle years   
• an analysis of our diverse and growing population 
• an understanding of emerging needs and trends amongst the 6-11 year old cohort 
• a review of current programs being delivered across Hume; and 
• a series of recommendations that will inform the development of future programs and supports in partnership with schools and service providers.