Every day at Carinity's four Special Assistance Schools, youth workers help students navigate challenges that can make learning difficult. Sometimes that support starts with something as simple as a check-in at the classroom door.
These interactions can be easy to miss, but for a young person they can change the course of their day.
At Carinity Education Gladstone alone, 174 students were supported throughout 2025, many of whom had disengaged from mainstream schooling or were at risk of doing so.
Many students have experienced challenges that make mainstream education difficult, so the school takes a trauma-informed approach to learning and wellbeing.
In these classrooms, youth workers work alongside teachers each day, providing guidance and encouragement.
"As a Senior Youth Worker at Carinity Education Gladstone, no two days are exactly the same," said Megan O'Grady-Falahee.
"My day involves checking in, providing emotional and behavioural guidance, helping students regulate their emotions and re-engage with learning, and working alongside teachers to implement individual strategies."
At the heart of the role is building trust.
"Building trust starts with being consistent and non-judgemental," Megan said. "I take the time to get to know the young people at their own pace and show them that I genuinely care about their wellbeing."
The relationships formed between youth workers and the young people are often built gradually through small, everyday interactions.
"A moment that really stayed with me was when a student who was initially very withdrawn gradually began seeking help and attending more regularly," Megan said.
"Toward the end of the year, they told me that having someone check in each day helped them feel like they belonged at school."
Fellow youth worker Kelly Stewart said: "One of the most rewarding moments is when someone who was initially reluctant to engage begins opening up and seeking assistance."
"Seeing them develop confidence and make positive changes reminds me that even small interactions can have a lasting impact."
For Megan, the goal is not simply helping students through difficult moments, but giving them the confidence to navigate what comes next.
"I hope that the support I provide helps them develop confidence, resilience and positive coping skills they can carry beyond school," she said.
Success is not always measured by grades or awards. Sometimes it is found in the quieter moments: returning to school after a difficult phase, asking for help, or building a healthy friendship.
"The small wins often mean the most," Kelly said. "A student smiling after a difficult day, reaching a goal, or simply feeling comfortable enough to ask for help."
Megan said those moments are what stay with her.
"Sometimes the biggest impact comes from the small, consistent actions and relationships we build over time," she said.
For many students, those small moments can make all the difference.
