Streetwork will today appear before the NSW Select Committee on Youth Justice, calling for recurrent funding for early intervention and prevention services that help young people avoid, or move away from, contact with the justice system.
Streetwork CEO Helen Banu OAM and Youth Caseworker Willie Bishop will give evidence alongside other early intervention organisations working with young people at risk of, or already in contact with, the justice system.
Streetwork says the evidence is clear: young people do better when they receive trusted, practical, relationship-based support before crisis escalates.
Streetwork's most recent independent Social Impact Report found that 91% of young people who came to Streetwork with crime-related challenges did not reoffend after their engagement with the Kickstart Mentoring Program.
The report also found that young people in Kickstart experienced a 10% improvement in wellbeing, with gains across mental wellness, resilience, education, employment readiness and life skills.
"We do not need to start from scratch," said Helen Banu OAM, CEO of Streetwork. "The models already exist with early intervention and diversion programs being run by organisations like Streetwork, we just aren't funded by government to do it."
"Young people do not enter the justice system because of one isolated issue, we see young people dealing with overlapping challenges — trauma, school disengagement, housing instability, mental health concerns, family stress and exposure to violence. If those needs are not addressed early, they can escalate into justice system involvement."
"Early intervention is good for the kids, but it is also by far the best way to prevent crime before it happens, which is why we see most impact-geared philanthropic funding invested in this area."
Streetwork's Kickstart Mentoring Program provides one-on-one support for vulnerable young people aged 12–18 through outreach, mentoring and advocacy at the point of police contact. Youth Caseworkers build trust with young people, help them set goals, reconnect with education and services, and take practical steps toward stability.
The Huber Social impact report found Streetwork's Kickstart participants showed:
- 91% non-reoffending among young people who entered with crime-related challenges compared with just 37.5% for those leaving incarceration.
- 10% improvement in overall wellbeing
- 14% increase in ability to find, apply for and secure employment
- 12% increase in ability to understand education and employment options
- 11% increase in feeling connected to community
- 9% increase in confidence
- 9% increase in pride in what they can accomplish
- 8% reduction in feelings of anxiety
"These are not soft approaches," Ms Banu said. "They protect for young people and the community by getting tough on the cause of crime, and giving young people a chance to reconnect, get support, education, and life skills."
Streetwork is calling for the NSW Government to establish a dedicated, recurrent early intervention and prevention funding program to support community organisations already working with young people at risk of justice system contact.
"Right now, there is very little early intervention funding and what little that is provided is short-term and fragmented," Ms Banu said. "That makes it harder to plan, harder to retain skilled staff, and harder to reach young people before things escalate."
"Philanthropy and community support already fund a significant part of this work. Government has an opportunity to amplify that investment, not replace it, by backing proven community models and helping them reach more young people."
Streetwork's joint sector submission to the Committee recommends stronger investment in place-based early intervention, mentoring and casework, police referral pathways, alternatives to remand, supported bail, school re-engagement, mental health and alcohol and other drug supports, Aboriginal community-led solutions, and better whole-of-government coordination.
"The evidence is there. The stories are there. The frontline experience is there," Ms Banu said. "Early intervention works. Now NSW needs a structure that funds it properly."
For access to the Streetwork submission go to www.streetwork.org.au
About us:
About Streetwork
Streetwork is a community-based early intervention organisation supporting vulnerable young people across Northern Sydney. Since 1980, Streetwork has helped young people navigate complex challenges including mental health crises, school disengagement, homelessness risk, substance misuse and justice system contact. Through outreach, one-on-one mentoring and advocacy, Streetwork helps to turn young lives around.
