Frequently Asked Questions
Learn more about how Streetwork supports vulnerable young people aged 12–18 through mentoring, outreach, advocacy and practical support.
Explore answers to common questions about our mission, impact, referral pathways and youth programs.
What does Streetwork do?
Streetwork supports vulnerable young people aged 12–18 across Northern Sydney through early intervention, mentoring, assertive outreach, advocacy and practical support.
Our work is built around trusted relationships. Through our Kickstart Mentoring Program and outreach activities, young people are supported to feel safe, build confidence, set goals, make positive choices and turn their lives around.
Why does Streetwork support young people experiencing vulnerability?
Young people are referred to Streetwork by parents and carers, schools, police, courts, health services, community organisations and other support services.
Many are facing complex and often connected challenges, including:
low self-esteem or mental health pressures
difficulties at home
unstable housing, couch surfing or sleeping rough
alcohol or other drug use
disengagement from school, training or work
involvement with police, courts or youth justice
limited support networks
These experiences can increase the risk of harm and make it harder for a young person to find the support they need. Streetwork steps in early, before challenges become more serious, and works alongside each young person to help them stabilise, build skills and take positive steps forward.
What does a Streetwork Youth Caseworker do?
A Streetwork Youth Caseworker provides one-on-one mentoring, casework and practical support to a young person.
The first step is building trust. Youth Caseworkers take time to understand each young person’s interests, strengths, needs and goals. This relationship creates the foundation for honest conversations, supported decision-making and meaningful change.
Depending on the young person’s circumstances, a Youth Caseworker may help them:
set and work towards personal goals
reconnect with school, training or work
access mental health, housing or alcohol and other drug services
attend police, court or youth justice appointments
build confidence, life skills and positive relationships
make safer choices and reduce risk-taking behaviour
Streetwork’s approach is non-judgemental, practical and relationship-based.
What is Streetwork’s Aftercare Program?
Streetwork does not simply end support when a young person completes their core mentoring program.
When a young person has achieved the goals they set with their Youth Caseworker, they “level up” from the program. For the first three months after this, Streetwork provides regular check-ins to help ensure things are continuing to move in a positive direction.
During this period, young people are encouraged to take more responsibility for staying connected, including booking meetings or activities themselves. This supports their growing independence and confidence.
After formal aftercare ends, the door remains open.
Why is Streetwork called Streetwork?
Streetwork was founded in 1980 by Peter Hobbs, who believed youth workers should be accessible to young people where they are, not only inside offices or formal service settings.
That belief remains central to Streetwork today.
Our Youth Caseworkers and outreach workers meet young people in real places: schools, cafes, parks, skate parks, basketball courts, beaches, community spaces and on the streets. This flexible, community-based approach helps build trust and makes support easier to access.
The name Streetwork reflects this origin, and we remain proud of our founder and the practical, relationship-based model he helped establish.
What are Streetwork’s values?
Streetwork values diversity and respects the rights, dignity and beliefs of every individual.
We are non-judgemental and relationship-focused. We work to build self-esteem, strengthen trust and support respectful relationships with young people, families, staff, volunteers, supporters and community partners.
Streetwork also values education, personal growth, inclusion, community connection and practical action that helps vulnerable young people turn their lives around.
Streetwork promotes (re)engagement with learning pathways
Frequently Asked Questions for Potential Supporters
Curiosity is a good sign. When a potential supporter asks questions, it usually means they are engaged and interested in understanding Streetwork’s work more deeply.
This document provides suggested answers to common questions from potential supporters.
Streetwork
What areas does Streetwork support?
Streetwork supports vulnerable young people aged 12–18 across Northern Sydney, including the Northern Beaches, North Shore, Hornsby, Ku-ring-gai, Chatswood/Willoughby, North Sydney and surrounding communities.
What does Streetwork do?
Streetwork provides early intervention support for vulnerable young people through:
assertive outreach
one-on-one goal-based mentoring through our Kickstart Mentoring Program
24/7 Youth Custody Advocacy for young people who come into contact with police or courts
practical support and warm referrals to specialist services
What is unique about Streetwork’s approach?
Streetwork has been supporting vulnerable young people since 1980. Our approach is simple, practical and relationship-based.
We:
meet young people where they are, including in schools, parks, cafes, community spaces and through our Mobile Youth Hubs
take the time to build trust
work alongside young people without judgement
support each young person according to their needs, rather than forcing them into a fixed program length
connect young people with the right services, often helping them navigate complex systems
help young people build life skills, confidence and safer decision-making for the future
At the centre of our work is a trusted relationship between a young person and a qualified Youth Caseworker.
What goals do young people set through Kickstart?
Goals are chosen by the young person, with support from their Youth Caseworker. Each plan is tailored to the young person’s needs, strengths and circumstances.
Goals might include:
attending school more regularly
reconnecting with education, training or work
finding safe and stable housing
addressing alcohol or other drug use
improving mental health and wellbeing
reconnecting with family or positive support networks
attending police, court or youth justice appointments
building confidence, life skills and independence
How many young people does Streetwork support each year?
Streetwork tracks its activity and reports regularly to the Board.
In an average year, Streetwork provides direct support to around 360 young people. Through outreach, school and community-based activities, Streetwork also connects with many more young people across Northern Sydney.
Does Streetwork’s work make a difference?
Yes. Streetwork measures its impact through independent evaluation and internal reporting.
Huber Social has measured the impact of Streetwork’s Kickstart Mentoring Program over a number of years. The latest reporting shows young people experience measurable improvements in wellbeing, community connection, resilience, confidence and life skills.
Recent impact findings include:
young people experienced a 10% improvement in overall wellbeing
91% of young people who came to Streetwork with crime-related challenges did not reoffend during their time with Streetwork
young people reported stronger connection to community and reduced anxiety
Independent analysis by PwC also found that every $1 invested in Streetwork returns $16 in community benefit through reduced demand on crisis, homelessness and justice services.
How long has Streetwork been operating?
Streetwork was founded in 1980 by local school teacher Peter Hobbs.
For more than 45 years, Streetwork has been supporting vulnerable young people across Northern Sydney through practical, relationship-based early intervention.
Where does Streetwork’s funding come from?
Streetwork receives funding from a mix of individual donations, philanthropy, corporate partnerships, local community fundraising, grants and events.
Streetwork does not receive recurrent government funding, which means community support is essential to keeping our services available for young people who need help.
For independent information about Streetwork, supporters can visit the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission website and search for Streetwork Australia.
Volunteering
I have a lot to offer a young person. Can I mentor with Streetwork?
Streetwork’s one-on-one mentoring is delivered by qualified Youth Caseworkers because many of the young people we support are experiencing complex challenges and need professional support.
However, there are other important ways to volunteer.
Streetwork’s Youth Custody Advocate volunteers support young people who come into contact with police or courts. If a young person is in a police station and the adults in their life cannot or will not attend, a trained Streetwork volunteer can attend to support and advocate for them.
Volunteers need a current Working With Children Check and will receive training before joining the roster.
I do not have regular time to give. Can I still help?
Yes. Streetwork often needs volunteer support for specific events, fundraising activities, community engagement and practical tasks.
Opportunities may be listed on Streetwork’s website or through volunteer platforms such as SEEK Volunteer.
I do not live in the area. Are there still opportunities to support Streetwork?
Yes. From time to time, Streetwork needs skilled volunteer support for project-based work.
This might include help with:
project planning
graphic design
communications
event support
administration
fundraising activities
professional advice or specialist skills
Young people and community need
What young people does Streetwork support?
Streetwork supports vulnerable young people aged 12–18 who may be experiencing challenges such as:
mental health pressures
alcohol or other drug use
unstable housing, couch surfing or sleeping rough
disengagement from school, training or work
involvement with police, courts or youth justice
family conflict
limited positive support networks
experiences of neglect, abuse or trauma
Many young people are dealing with more than one challenge at the same time. Streetwork works with them early, before issues become more serious.
Is there really demand for this support in Northern Sydney?
Yes. Vulnerability is often less visible in Northern Sydney, but the need is real.
Young people across the region experience mental health pressures, family breakdown, housing instability, school disengagement, substance use, youth justice involvement and isolation.
Streetwork regularly receives referrals from parents, carers, schools, police, courts, health services, community organisations and youth justice partners. Demand for support continues to exceed available resources.
Donations
How much does it cost to support one young person through Kickstart?
The average cost of supporting one young person through Streetwork’s Kickstart Mentoring Program is around $15,000.
Supporters can also contribute at different levels:
$50 can help fund a mentoring conversation
$100 can help create a connection with a young person
$500 can help build a trusted relationship
$5,000 can help create a turning point
$15,000 can help support one young person through Kickstart
Supporters can also help fund outreach activities, Mobile Youth Hubs, youth worker time, practical support, or specific programs such as sport, street art, barbering or life skills activities.
Are donations tax deductible?
Yes. Streetwork is a registered charity and donations of $2 or more are tax deductible in Australia.
Why should I support Streetwork?
Streetwork reaches young people early, when the right support can change the direction of their lives.
Your support helps provide trusted Youth Caseworkers, outreach, mentoring, advocacy and practical support for vulnerable young people aged 12–18 across Northern Sydney.
When young people are supported to feel safe, build confidence, reconnect with education or work, and make positive choices, the whole community benefits.
Breaking the cycle of school disengagement
Why do vulnerable young people disengage from school?
One of the common goals young people set when they first start their Streetwork journey is to return to school, reconnect with learning or find a positive education, training or employment pathway.
The reasons young people disengage from education vary. Often, the basics are not in place. It is difficult to attend school, concentrate in class or plan for the future when a young person is hungry, sleeping rough, couch surfing, experiencing family conflict, living with domestic or family violence, or struggling with their mental health.
For some young people, school has also become a place where they feel judged, unsafe, overwhelmed or disconnected. Without the right support, disengagement can quickly become a cycle that is hard to break.
Is education important?
Yes. Education should be accessible to every young person.
A positive experience of school can strengthen identity, self-esteem, confidence, safety and belonging. Engagement in education also shapes a young person’s future. It supports pathways into employment, financial independence and stronger long-term wellbeing.
Many vulnerable young people struggle at school and may leave before completing Year 12. Without support, they can miss out on qualifications, work skills and the confidence needed to take the next step.
The impact of school disengagement can be long-lasting. It can affect employment, income, housing stability, health, relationships and contact with the justice system. It also has wider costs for families, communities and the economy.
How does Streetwork help young people re-engage with education?
Streetwork supports young people to re-engage with school, training, work readiness and other learning pathways.
We do this by working with the young person and the people around them.
With the young person, we help identify what is getting in the way, what matters to them, and what goals they want to work towards. This may include improving school attendance, returning to learning, exploring TAFE or training, finding work experience, or building the confidence and routines needed to take part.
At the same time, we work closely with schools, principals, teachers, wellbeing teams and other support services. This can include mental health services, counsellors, psychologists, housing services, youth services and community organisations.
By building trust with the young person and coordinating support around them, Streetwork helps create a more stable pathway back into education, training or work.