Introduction to Better Futures

Introduction to Advantaged Thinking

What Advantaged Thinking looks like

Advantaged Thinking (AT) challenges ‘case management’ as the default approach. It moves beyond focusing on problems and needs and recognises that sustainable independence requires a greater investment in young people’s strengths, aspirations and opportunities.

AT combines individual and structural change, recognising that the way society views young people shapes how services respond, and what opportunities young people can access. AT acknowledges challenges, but starts with skills and potential, then invests in those through coaching and access to opportunity.

So what changes in Better Futures?
In Better Futures, AT means we don’t aim to solve every problem for a young person. We work collaboratively to build goals, capability and access to community assets that support a thriving life.

AT in action: A collaborative approach

AT is both individual and systems-focused. It shifts our work across three levels:

Individual (how we understand and coach)
Opportunities (what we open access to)
Systems (what we change to reduce barriers)

Individual

Understand young people for their motivations and preferred story
Assume strengths and aspirations exist; our role is to uncover and invest
Support young people to develop solutions with coaching and scaffolding
Use the 5 Offers as invitations to explore, learn, plan and act.

Opportunities

Link opportunities to the young person’s vision (not our perceived need to fix problems)
Use Home Stretch funding flexibly across the 5 Offers to open doors
Prioritise opportunities beyond the service system
Develop activities and campaigns that unlock community assets.

Systems

Create policies and services that enable consistent AT practice
Identify and address structural barriers and gaps
Promote shared language and collaboration to break silos
Shift perceptions of young people from ‘problems’ to ‘assets’.

Meeting young people where they are at

Every young person’s journey into adulthood is different. There is no single, linear pathway and no one-size-fits-all approach.

Better Futures recognises that young people are the experts in their own lives. They have agency and choice about when and how they engage with what is offered, and their readiness can change over time. Better Futures supports young people to:

build identity and confidence
strengthen relationships and support networks
develop independent living skills
move from surviving to thriving.

It’s OK to make mistakes. That’s what young people do.
— Manager, Better Futures provider

Meeting young people where they are at means walking alongside them as they plan towards a sustainable, thriving life. That includes supporting them to:

build a stable sense of self and confidence in who they are
develop skills, resources and opportunities to live independently
strengthen connections and community
build secure housing, income, wellbeing and purpose over time.

Better Futures gives us capacity to normalise being a young person… it’s OK to make errors… we can continue to support you and help you make more informed choices.
— Manager, Better Futures provider

Better Futures supports young people to build lives beyond the service system that are connected to community, opportunity and a strong sense of purpose.