Frequently asked questions

What does Streetwork do?

Streetwork supports vulnerable young 11-18-year-olds to turn their lives around, using highly energising and innovative early intervention and assertive outreach programs: a youth work approach to Youth Case Work.

Why are Streetwork’s young people described as ‘at-risk’?

The majority of young people Streetwork supports are referred to us by parents, schools, police or courts. Typically, they present with a range of challenges that are often cascading: low self-esteem might be creating mental health issues, problems at home leading to couch-surfing, mixing with the wrong trice seeing drug or alcohol experimentation, or even flirtations with criminal activity. These situations and behaviours put their safety and even their young lives ‘at risk’.

WHAT DOES A STREETWORK YOUTH CASEWORKER DO?

A Streetwork Youth Caseworker acts as a mentor, providing advice and support both to address risk-taking behaviours, while taking any action that facilitates turning the young person’s life around.

They achieve this by first finding out what the young person is interested in and what they are good at, to help frame opportunities on which they can build a ‘connected’ relationship with the young person (interestingly, our young people often note this as a key point of difference, acknowledging that the Streetwork Youth Caseworkers show genuine empathy).

Through establishing trust and building rapport, the consequent conversations around goal-setting come more readily.

What is Streetwork’s aftercare Program?

Streetwork has never been a ‘cut-and-run’ charity. We pride ourselves in, wherever possible, maintaining communication with a young person long after they have ‘levelled up’ - our term for when they have achieved the goals they set for themselves with our youth caseworkers.

For the first 3 months after they have finished the core Streetwork mentoring support program, we structure regular catch-ups with them, just to ensure things are continuing to move along the right path. During this period, we encourage the young people to take the lead and book any meetings or activities with us themselves, as this is an important part in their journey of independence.

Thereafter, the door always remains open.

Why is Streetwork called Streetwork?

The answer to this stems right back to 1980 when our founder, Peter Hobbs, first established Streetwork. His innate belief that youth mentors should be openly accessible to young people remains as true to Streetwork’s fundamental ethos today as it did back then. Building on this is the context that the best youth case workers are trained and able to meet the young people where they are at: not in offices, but outside, in cafes and skate-parks, on basketball courts or beaches…on the streets. Hence the name street work: an origin of which we are proud and a founder of whom we are even more proud.

What are Streetwork’s Values?

Streetwork values diversity and respects the beliefs and rights of each individual.  We are non-judgemental, builders of self-esteem, and nurture solid and respectful relationships with the youth in our program, our staff, supporters and volunteers.  Streetwork values education alongside personal growth and is an active participant in the local community.  

Breaking the cycle of school disengagement

Why do at-risk young people disengage from school?

One of the top five life goals our vulnerable young people set when they first start their Streetwork journey is to return to school and complete their education.

The reasons they disengage from their education in the first place vary. A common cause is that the young person's basic needs - sustenance, shelter, and emotional support - are not being met. It's difficult to attend school and concentrate in a classroom situation when you are hungry, sleeping rough, or just struggling emotionally because of a destructive family relationship or domestic violence situation.

IS EDUCATION IMPORTANT?

Absolutely! Education should be accessible to everyone. A positive experience at school develops self-identity, increases self-esteem, and nurtures a sense of security and belonging. Engagement in education also impacts a young person's life trajectory. It underpins their ability to find employment and achieve financial independence. As a safety net that guards against poverty, the benefits of education are intergenerational. 

Many at-risk young people struggle at school - leaving without completing Year 12 and later failing to gain qualifications or work skills. Without support, they are often ill-equipped to thrive and provide for themselves and their families. One in eight young people will not complete their HSC. A further percentage of those make up the 15% of young people who will be disengaged from full-time work, study, or training for most of their lives.

Due to the impacts of a lifetime of dependence on government support and the costs incurred by the public health and criminal justice systems, the price paid by these young individuals, their families, and the Australian economy is high. A conservative estimate* associated with each early school leaver over their lifetime is $951,000*.

HOW DOES STREETWORK RE-ENGAGE YOUNG PEOPLE WITH THEIR EDUCATION?

Streetwork's success in helping young people re-engage with their education is two-pronged. On the one side, we work closely with the young people themselves on steady integration back into society, including setting goals for school attendance or employment pathways. From the other end, we continually build and nurture peer relationships with the schools themselves - including the principal, teachers and school welfare staff - as well as with the myriad of other support services that are interwoven with their journey back to education, including mental health counsellors, psychologists, and various other youth-centred and community support services.

* Source:  Lamb and Huo calculation; includes financial and social costs