Training and Development
Find out about upcoming training sessions, access online eModules and learn how to sign up.
Access training
We’ve updated how you register for training sessions.
We no longer send Outlook calendar invites or emails — it’s now self-registration.
To sign up, just head to the Calendar page and register directly for any upcoming sessions that suit you.
Need help? Talk to your Team Leader or contact the Better Futures team.
Training overview
The BSL offers a bi-annual training and professional development program. This no cost training is designed to enhance the capacity of Better Futures practitioners and other care- and youth-related services in Victoria. All sessions are facilitated by the BSL and supported by Youth Expert Advisors and other subject experts.
What’s available
- Training sessions: Gain insights into the Better Futures service model, Advantaged Thinking and role-specific practices through our training sessions.
- eModules: Access self-paced eModules for continuous learning and preparation for training sessions.
- Customised training and workshops: Contact us to develop tailored training for your organisation’s specific needs.
Training sessions
Introduction to Better Futures
This training contextualises transitional care services in Victoria and makes the case for why a different approach is needed. Advantaged Thinking is introduced as the distinct driving force of Better Futures practice.
Audience:
- All new Better Futures staff (Leadership, Development Coaches, Community Connectors)
- Relevant stakeholders working with young people transitioning from care
Delivering Better Futures
This training introduces the delivery of the Better Futures service model by Development Coaches and Community Connectors. This training will explore an Advantaged Thinking coaching approach to the service via The Deal and the 5 Offers.
Audience:
- All new Better Futures staff (Leadership, Development Coaches, Community Connectors)
Interactive Coaching Workshop
This full-day training explores coaching and the Better Futures practice model, utilising tools and resources to support practice and hands-on activities to integrate learnings.
Audience:
- Better Futures Development Coaches and Team Leaders
Community Connector
This role-specific training for new Community Connectors explores the role of Community Connections in Better Futures, theoretical understandings such as Social Capital, and how we can create opportunities for young people.
Audience:
- Community Connectors and Team Leaders
Leadership
This role-specific training supports those in Better Futures/Home Stretch Team Leader and Manager positions to understand the operational aspects of Better Futures and how to create and maintain an Advantaged Thinking culture within teams.
Audience:
- Leadership roles such as Team Leaders and Managers
Navigating the Disability Service System
This session is run by BSL with the support of disability specialists for Better Futures service providers and other key stakeholders. It aims to improve your understanding of disability service systems and how to navigate service intersections with Better Futures.
Audience:
- All new Better Futures staff (Leadership, Development Coaches, Community Connectors)
- Relevant stakeholders working with young people transitioning from care
eModules
BSL’s eModules are designed to enhance understanding of the Better Futures service model and Advantaged Thinking practice. Each module is self-paces, approximately an hour long, and is available year-round.
Contact us to sign up.
This short course is broken into three separate modules so you can target the knowledge and skills most relevant to you. All three modules are designed to introduce you to the Better Futures Practice Framework and to examine how it can be applied to your work supporting young people to transition to independence.
Audience:
- All new Better Futures staff (Leadership, Development Coaches, Community Connectors)
- Relevant stakeholders working with young people transitioning from care.
To be completed prior to attending:
- Introduction to Advantaged Thinking
- Delivering the Service training sessions.
The Better Futures practice model uses coaching conversations centred around existing capabilities to empower young people to understand their own sense of self. These conversations encourage them to access the resources, people and opportunities that can help them expand their skills and capabilities and are pivotal to them building a sustainable livelihood.
Audience:
- Development Coaches
To be completed prior to attending:
- Coaching Workshop training session.
The Community Connections service offer is a key component of the Better Futures model and aims to build supportive networks, pathways and connections for young people in their communities. This advice sets out practice expectations of Better Futures providers and other stakeholders to support the delivery of the Community Connections service offer.
Audience:
- Community Connectors.
To be completed prior to attending:
- Community Connections training session.
This module is designed to increase your understanding of how to work with care experienced young people with disability in an Advantaged Thinking way. It supports the Better Futures Disability Practice Guide and BSL’s Disability training in enhancing Better Futures Practitioners’ skills and knowledge to work in an Advantaged Thinking way with young people.
Audience:
- All new Better Futures staff (Leadership, Development Coaches, Community Connectors)
- Relevant stakeholders working with young people transitioning from care.
Better Futures Practitioners have highlighted the need to be supported to improve their understanding of when and how to support young people with disability in the Better Futures service model. This is particularly important given the high numbers of young people with a disability in the care system and the varying levels of support and coordination required to plan for a successful transition to independent adulthood.
Audience:
- All new Better Futures staff (Leadership, Development Coaches, Community Connectors)
- Relevant stakeholders working with young people transitioning from care.
To be completed prior to attending:
- Navigating the Disability Service System training session.
This module is designed to increase your understanding of the disability systems and support available to care-experienced young people with disability.
Audience:
- All new Better Futures staff (Leadership, Development Coaches, Community Connectors)
- Relevant stakeholders working with young people transitioning from care.
To be completed prior to attending:
- Navigating the Disability Service System training session.
Customised training workshops
Beyond our standard offerings, BSL can provide customised training and workshops that are tailored to meet the specific needs of your organisation. We have developed training for Berry Street, NESAY and the Stronger Futures for Refugee Youth / Refugee Minor Program.
Resources for professional development
Explore our Better Futures practice resources to find essential tools and ideas to support young people transitioning from care.
FAQs
We’ve updated how you register for training sessions.
We no longer send Outlook calendar invites or emails — it’s now self-registration.
To sign up, just head to the Calendar page and register directly for any upcoming sessions that suit you.
Need help? Talk to your Team Leader or contact the Better Futures team.
For existing Canvas users, simply follow the link provided under the eModules section above. For new users, speak to your Team Leader/Manager or contact us to sign up.
Refer to the description of each session for the intended audience as it differs between sessions.
No, all training sessions and eModules are provided at no cost.
Yes, BSL offers customised training to meet specific needs. Please contact us to discuss options.
Yes, recordings of training sessions will be available to registered participants. Please contact us for a link to the recording.
The good news is that there’s lots to choose from. You can: