Finding Their Path: Real Stories from Stepping Out
For many young people, finishing school is an exciting milestone – but it can also bring uncertainty. Questions about employment, further study, independence and social connection often feel overwhelming, not just for individuals but for their families too.
Our Stepping Out for Teens and Young Adults program supports you and your family through this transition, but what does that support actually look like in real life?
We asked some of the people preparing to step into their future about the best parts of the program and how it helped them and their families build confidence for what’s next.
While every journey is different, each story shows that with the right support, each person can build the skills and confidence to take the next step in the ways that matter to them, with their parents feeling equipped to support their child in navigating this period.
Developing skills for adult life
“Learning new skills such as communication and being organised, and developing work readiness skills such as learning how to apply for jobs, have been some of the best things about the program.
Personal highlights from the program are attending the PEERS® program as it has helped me understand people and I enjoyed the program. I have learnt how to make friends with different interests. Also, I have learnt to be organised at university, and I am tracking well in my studies to graduate.
Someone should attend the Stepping Out program because they can develop skills that will make them feel confident for adult life.”
David, program participant
Supporting families through transition
“Our family was seeking a program that would help our son Ari transition through year 11 and 12, then continue on through his adult life to where he is currently as an 18-year-old young adult.
As parents who had to learn the primary and high school system, we felt anxious about it all changing to adulthood. With the Stepping Out program, we had amazing guidance to learn those next steps.
Ari’s most major successes have been gaining his learner’s permit and gaining employment. We have recently moved to a regional town and Ari is working at the local IGA, his very first paid job. To say we are proud is an understatement!”
Kelly, Ari’s mum
Growing independence at every stage
“Our son started with the Stepping Out program a bit later, second year university, with the aim of moving out of a residential college to independent living. At the beginning he would barely engage with the teacher and needed to be reminded of appointments.
With the meetings taking place on and around the university campus, he became very comfortable with his teacher therapist and actually started making appointments himself when he had a specific skill that he needed to learn. After 18 months working with this program, our son was living independently and happily agreed to transition to the Adult Services program, freely talking to his new therapist without any reluctance.
It’s great to know he has someone else besides family who can teach him life skills. His long-term psychologist can’t believe the progress he has made.”
Rachel, parent
These stories show that success does not follow a single path. For some, it means gaining employment or starting university. For others, it is building confidence, forming friendships, or learning to navigate daily life more independently.
What matters most is that each young person is supported to move forward in a way that is meaningful to them.
For families approaching this stage, the transition to adulthood may feel uncertain – but with the right support, it can also be a time of growth, confidence, and new opportunities.
The Stepping Out for Teens and Young Adults program gives young people the tools, skills, and confidence they need to move into adulthood with a strong sense of direction. It is about more than finishing school – it is about helping teens and young adults step into their future feeling prepared, supported, and ready for what comes next.
The Stepping Out program is delivered by our experienced School Age Therapy team and is to prepare for transitions out of school and into adulthood.
Ready to step into your future?
Stepping Out for Teens and Young Adults is a specialised program within our School Age Therapy service that offers personalised, one‑on‑one support tailored to each person’s goals.
To register your interest in this program, select School Age Therapy on the service enquiry form.