Those working in the youth, health and welfare sectors note that there is a group of young people with significant needs that are often missed by or excluded from existing services. These young people tend to have volatile histories with family, school and other institutions, and report problems with mental health, substance use and crime.

Street University is a unique program designed to attract and retain these young people in a service environment and provide them with a safety net, life skills development and, when required, therapeutic intervention. Its aim, ultimately, is to act as early intervention for this vulnerable group of young people and, wherever possible, prevent more serious issues arising.

The evaluation found that the Street University model has an impressive capacity to engage marginalised pre-service young people and retain them in a service environment over the long term. It does this by employing approaches that are unique in the youth service provision sector, by offering safe and inclusive environments where youth culture and young people’s agency are valued and celebrated. Pre-service young people recognise this and value it, and this sets the foundations for a long-term trusting relationship with Street University and its staff, and it is through this relationship that therapeutic interventions are made more possible.

https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/aod/programs/Documents/ted-noffs-final-report.pdf

Photo credit: NOFFS