The purpose of a flexible learning centre is to empower young people to take personal responsibility for their actions and learning, feel enhanced wellbeing, and achieve greater autonomy and self-reliance, to engage in the transition to further education and/or employment and to negotiate positive steps to adulthood.

Teaching and learning is characterised by small class sizes, a flexible curriculum that draws on individual interest and needs and a democratic pedagogical approach that encourages learner empowerment and autonomy. The philosophy of Youth+ has a clear commitment to social justice and stands in solidarity with disenfranchised people of all social, cultural and religious backgrounds. Learning experiences are holistic and address the social and emotional needs of young people, promote wellbeing, and develop cognitive and academic skills.

Learning experiences are also linked to educational outcomes of state, territory and national curriculum frameworks in middle school and senior subjects in addition to nationally accredited vocational education and training courses. Central to the practice established in flexible learning centres is operation by common ground principles.